Crane and Tower Operators salary in Omaha, NE-IA
Crane and Tower Operators in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area earn a median of $68,880 a year ($33.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,410 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $68,080. Pay here is 13% higher than the Nebraska statewide median of $60,720. There are 0.31 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $66,250, close to the median.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Omaha, NE-IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,130 | $23.14 |
| 25th percentile | $51,840 | $24.92 |
| Median | $68,880 | $33.12 |
| 75th percentile | $79,130 | $38.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,410 | $39.62 |
| Average (mean) | $66,250 | $31.85 |
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 | $5,740 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,870 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,649.23 |
| Weekly | $1,324.62 |
| Hourly | $33.12 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NE | $77,500 | 100 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $75,760 | 90 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $69,270 | 110 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $60,110 | 40 |
| Dubuque, IA | $49,720 | n/a |
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 |
See Crane and Tower Operators pay in every state or the Nebraska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Omaha, NE-IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $42,550 | $20.46 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $45,120 | $21.69 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,920 | $17.27 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $38,880 | $18.69 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $51,530 | $24.77 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $44,650 | $21.47 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $41,680 | $20.04 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,010 | $27.89 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,080 | $21.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $59,400 | $28.56 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $50,850 | $24.45 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $37,110 | $17.84 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $35,000 | $16.83 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Omaha, NE-IA
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 Omaha, NE-IA?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area is $68,880 a year, or $33.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Omaha, NE-IA?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area earn at least $82,410 a year. The top 25% earn $79,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Omaha, NE-IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,130 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $51,840 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Omaha, NE-IA?
About 150 crane and tower operators are employed in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.