Crane and Tower Operators salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
Crane and Tower Operators in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median of $72,580 a year ($34.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 630 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,450 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $68,080. Pay here is 8% higher than the Arizona statewide median of $67,350. There are 0.27 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $70,860, close to the median.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,930 | $24.49 |
| 25th percentile | $58,430 | $28.09 |
| Median | $72,580 | $34.89 |
| 75th percentile | $82,820 | $39.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $89,450 | $43.01 |
| Average (mean) | $70,860 | $34.07 |
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 | $6,048.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,024.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,791.54 |
| Weekly | $1,395.77 |
| Hourly | $34.89 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $65,750 | 40 |
| Tucson, AZ | $64,750 | 100 |
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,950 | $21.61 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,730 | $18.14 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $48,770 | $23.45 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,620 | $17.12 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $47,460 | $22.82 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $39,270 | $18.88 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $48,400 | $23.27 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $40,900 | $19.67 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,770 | $28.74 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,790 | $22.01 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $64,990 | $31.25 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $39,640 | $19.06 |
| Flight Attendant | $61,780 | — |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
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 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $72,580 a year, or $34.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn at least $89,450 a year. The top 25% earn $82,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,930 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $58,430 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
About 630 crane and tower operators are employed in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.