Crane and Tower Operators salary in New York
Crane and Tower Operators in New York earn a median of $85,850 a year ($41.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,150 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $216,500 for the top 10%. That is 26% higher than the national median of $68,080. New York ranks 9th of 50 states for crane and tower operators pay. There are 0.12 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.43). The average (mean) salary is $115,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,460 | $23.78 |
| 25th percentile | $70,110 | $33.71 |
| Median | $85,850 | $41.27 |
| 75th percentile | $126,050 | $60.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $216,500 | $104.09 |
| Average (mean) | $115,400 | $55.48 |
Half of crane and tower operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,154.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,577.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,301.92 |
| Weekly | $1,650.96 |
| Hourly | $41.27 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Crane and Tower Operators salary in cities in New York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $100,640 | 1,500 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $74,700 | 60 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $73,010 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for crane and tower operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $124,260 |
| Nevada | $115,840 |
| Rhode Island | $104,340 |
| Washington | $101,110 |
| New Jersey | $100,640 |
| Massachusetts | $98,150 |
| Alaska | $92,490 |
| Maryland | $87,950 |
| New York | $85,850 |
| Oregon | $83,260 |
Related jobs in New York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $39,030 | $18.76 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,630 | $21.46 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $39,390 | $18.94 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $49,030 | $23.57 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,260 | $17.91 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $64,950 | $31.23 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $43,450 | $20.89 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $42,670 | $20.52 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $48,010 | $23.08 |
| Hoist and Winch Operators | $74,980 | $36.05 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $48,220 | $23.19 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | $59,040 | $28.39 |
| Wellhead Pumper | $48,980 | $23.55 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $60,960 | $29.31 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in New York
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-7021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a crane and tower operators make in New York?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in New York is $85,850 a year, or $41.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $216,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in New York?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in New York earn at least $216,500 a year. The top 25% earn $126,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,460 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $70,110 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in New York?
About 1,150 crane and tower operators are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.