Crane and Tower Operators salary in Oregon
Crane and Tower Operators in Oregon earn a median of $83,260 a year ($40.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,400 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $68,080. Oregon ranks 10th of 50 states for crane and tower operators pay. There are 0.17 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $91,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Oregon
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,780 | $23.93 |
| 25th percentile | $63,190 | $30.38 |
| Median | $83,260 | $40.03 |
| 75th percentile | $122,500 | $58.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,400 | $63.66 |
| Average (mean) | $91,780 | $44.13 |
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 | $6,938.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,469.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,202.31 |
| Weekly | $1,601.15 |
| Hourly | $40.03 |
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 Oregon
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $80,260 | 210 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $68,460 | 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 Oregon
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $43,480 | $20.90 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,750 | $21.52 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $50,760 | $24.40 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,190 | $17.40 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $38,070 | $18.30 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $63,210 | $30.39 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $45,580 | $21.91 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $54,540 | $26.22 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $43,410 | $20.87 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $48,950 | $23.54 |
| Hoist and Winch Operators | $55,880 | $26.86 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | $51,150 | $24.59 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $74,040 | $35.60 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $61,980 | $29.80 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Oregon
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 Oregon?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in Oregon is $83,260 a year, or $40.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Oregon?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in Oregon earn at least $132,400 a year. The top 25% earn $122,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Oregon?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,780 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $63,190 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Oregon?
About 340 crane and tower operators are employed in Oregon, not counting the self-employed.