Crane and Tower Operators salary in Paducah, KY-IL
Crane and Tower Operators in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area earn a median of $63,070 a year ($30.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,450 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $68,080. Pay here is 2% higher than the Kentucky statewide median of $62,000. There are 0.64 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $63,830, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Paducah, KY-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,740 | $21.99 |
| 25th percentile | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| Median | $63,070 | $30.32 |
| 75th percentile | $64,600 | $31.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,450 | $40.12 |
| Average (mean) | $63,830 | $30.69 |
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 | $5,255.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,627.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,425.77 |
| Weekly | $1,212.88 |
| Hourly | $30.32 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $80,850 | 170 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $74,130 | 50 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $69,270 | 110 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $56,780 | 80 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $55,890 | 1,880 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $55,000 | 210 |
| Rockford, IL | $49,400 | 40 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $46,170 | 320 |
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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Paducah, KY-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,110 | $18.32 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $33,120 | $15.92 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $33,290 | $16.00 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $39,460 | $18.97 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $32,830 | $15.79 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $59,140 | $28.43 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $48,460 | $23.30 |
| Sailors and Marine Oilers | $47,550 | $22.86 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $50,520 | $24.29 |
| Light Truck Driver | $41,720 | $20.06 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $59,120 | $28.43 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $33,190 | $15.96 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Paducah, KY-IL
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 Paducah, KY-IL?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area is $63,070 a year, or $30.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Paducah, KY-IL?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area earn at least $83,450 a year. The top 25% earn $64,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Paducah, KY-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,740 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $60,150 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Paducah, KY-IL?
About 30 crane and tower operators are employed in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.