Crane and Tower Operators salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Crane and Tower Operators in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median of $61,510 a year ($29.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 330 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,900 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $68,080. Pay here is 6% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $65,190. There are 0.29 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $65,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Pittsburgh, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,780 | $18.64 |
| 25th percentile | $49,250 | $23.68 |
| Median | $61,510 | $29.57 |
| 75th percentile | $73,210 | $35.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $113,900 | $54.76 |
| Average (mean) | $65,140 | $31.32 |
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 | $5,125.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,562.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,365.77 |
| Weekly | $1,182.88 |
| Hourly | $29.57 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Reading, PA | $98,860 | 60 |
| Lancaster, PA | $72,150 | 80 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $72,010 | 790 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $71,770 | 50 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $63,680 | 60 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $63,190 | 90 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $51,450 | 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 |
See Crane and Tower Operators pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $41,830 | $20.11 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,900 | $17.26 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $45,510 | $21.88 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $32,690 | $15.72 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| Wellhead Pumper | $39,060 | $18.78 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $39,900 | $19.18 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | $61,190 | $29.42 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $35,020 | $16.84 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $57,880 | $27.83 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,700 | $20.53 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $30,660 | $14.74 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Pittsburgh, PA
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 Pittsburgh, PA?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $61,510 a year, or $29.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn at least $113,900 a year. The top 25% earn $73,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Pittsburgh, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,780 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $49,250 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Pittsburgh, PA?
About 330 crane and tower operators are employed in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.