Crane and Tower Operators salary in South Dakota
Crane and Tower Operators in South Dakota earn a median of $71,000 a year ($34.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,600 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $68,080. South Dakota ranks 22nd of 50 states for crane and tower operators pay. There are 0.26 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $70,560, close to the median.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,370 | $28.06 |
| 25th percentile | $61,080 | $29.37 |
| Median | $71,000 | $34.13 |
| 75th percentile | $77,450 | $37.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,600 | $45.00 |
| Average (mean) | $70,560 | $33.93 |
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 | $5,916.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,958.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,730.77 |
| Weekly | $1,365.38 |
| Hourly | $34.13 |
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 Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $63,960 | 70 |
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 Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,650 | $18.10 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,980 | $18.74 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,410 | $22.79 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,050 | $16.85 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $28,760 | $13.83 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $44,890 | $21.58 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $32,950 | $15.84 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | $44,440 | $21.37 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,690 | $28.21 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $64,780 | $31.14 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $39,730 | $19.10 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $45,050 | $21.66 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
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 Dakota?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in South Dakota is $71,000 a year, or $34.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in South Dakota earn at least $93,600 a year. The top 25% earn $77,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,370 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $61,080 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in South Dakota?
About 120 crane and tower operators are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.