Crane and Tower Operators salary in Ohio
Crane and Tower Operators in Ohio earn a median of $57,620 a year ($27.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,780 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,530 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $68,080. Ohio ranks 46th of 50 states for crane and tower operators pay. There are 0.32 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $63,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Ohio
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,910 | $20.15 |
| 25th percentile | $46,790 | $22.50 |
| Median | $57,620 | $27.70 |
| 75th percentile | $75,190 | $36.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,530 | $47.37 |
| Average (mean) | $63,000 | $30.29 |
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 | $4,801.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,400.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,216.15 |
| Weekly | $1,108.08 |
| Hourly | $27.70 |
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 Ohio
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $83,040 | 90 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $72,070 | 110 |
| Columbus, OH | $66,710 | 120 |
| Akron, OH | $64,650 | 120 |
| Cleveland, OH | $57,620 | 400 |
| Toledo, OH | $57,020 | 120 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $56,780 | 80 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $55,000 | 210 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $54,300 | 80 |
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 Ohio
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,130 | $17.85 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,460 | $18.97 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,450 | $22.33 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,000 | $17.79 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,230 | $16.94 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $49,330 | $23.72 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $45,130 | $21.70 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $57,700 | $27.74 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $39,610 | $19.04 |
| Wellhead Pumper | $46,750 | $22.47 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $33,420 | $16.07 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $64,700 | $31.11 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | $85,930 | $41.31 |
| Dredge Operator | $53,310 | $25.63 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Ohio
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 Ohio?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in Ohio is $57,620 a year, or $27.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Ohio?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in Ohio earn at least $98,530 a year. The top 25% earn $75,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Ohio?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,910 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $46,790 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Ohio?
About 1,780 crane and tower operators are employed in Ohio, not counting the self-employed.