Crane and Tower Operators salary in South Carolina
Crane and Tower Operators in South Carolina earn a median of $64,120 a year ($30.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 720 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,440 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $68,080. South Carolina ranks 31st of 50 states for crane and tower operators pay. There are 0.31 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $65,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,420 | $21.84 |
| 25th percentile | $48,100 | $23.12 |
| Median | $64,120 | $30.83 |
| 75th percentile | $80,880 | $38.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $89,440 | $43.00 |
| Average (mean) | $65,890 | $31.68 |
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 | $5,343.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,671.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,466.15 |
| Weekly | $1,233.08 |
| Hourly | $30.83 |
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 South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $80,880 | 320 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $76,940 | 40 |
| Columbia, SC | $65,870 | 50 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $63,300 | 300 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $58,370 | 90 |
| Florence, SC | $48,100 | 60 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $47,200 | 60 |
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 South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,530 | $18.04 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,020 | $17.32 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $32,180 | $15.47 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,230 | $16.46 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $34,880 | $16.77 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $38,050 | $18.29 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $38,020 | $18.28 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $39,370 | $18.93 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $80,700 | $38.80 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $51,130 | $24.58 |
| Light Truck Driver | $37,680 | $18.12 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $63,470 | $30.51 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $22,240 | $10.69 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in South Carolina is $64,120 a year, or $30.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in South Carolina earn at least $89,440 a year. The top 25% earn $80,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,420 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $48,100 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in South Carolina?
About 720 crane and tower operators are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.