Crane and Tower Operators salary in Sioux Falls, SD-MN
Crane and Tower Operators in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area earn a median of $63,960 a year ($30.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,380 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $68,080. Pay here is 10% lower than the South Dakota statewide median of $71,000. There are 0.39 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $65,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Sioux Falls, SD-MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,740 | $22.47 |
| 25th percentile | $60,710 | $29.19 |
| Median | $63,960 | $30.75 |
| 75th percentile | $71,580 | $34.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,380 | $34.80 |
| Average (mean) | $65,170 | $31.33 |
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 | $5,330 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,665 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,460 |
| Weekly | $1,230 |
| Hourly | $30.75 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $99,540 | 180 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $81,980 | 40 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $75,230 | 40 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $57,680 | 30 |
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 South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Sioux Falls, SD-MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,650 | $18.10 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,420 | $21.36 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,410 | $22.79 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,040 | $16.85 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $29,130 | $14.01 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $43,720 | $21.02 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $44,160 | $21.23 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $31,390 | $15.09 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,820 | $29.24 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,890 | $20.62 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $67,520 | $32.46 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $44,740 | $21.51 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $39,690 | $19.08 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $36,570 | $17.58 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Sioux Falls, SD-MN
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 Sioux Falls, SD-MN?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area is $63,960 a year, or $30.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Sioux Falls, SD-MN?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area earn at least $72,380 a year. The top 25% earn $71,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Sioux Falls, SD-MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,740 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $60,710 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Sioux Falls, SD-MN?
About 70 crane and tower operators are employed in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.