Crane and Tower Operators salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Crane and Tower Operators in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $46,170 a year ($22.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,620 for the top 10%. That is 32% lower than the national median of $68,080. Pay here is 21% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $58,450. There are 0.24 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $63,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,970 | $19.70 |
| 25th percentile | $41,210 | $19.81 |
| Median | $46,170 | $22.20 |
| 75th percentile | $88,400 | $42.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,620 | $45.97 |
| Average (mean) | $63,230 | $30.40 |
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 | $3,847.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,923.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,775.77 |
| Weekly | $887.88 |
| Hourly | $22.20 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $81,150 | 330 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $69,270 | 110 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $63,070 | 30 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $55,890 | 1,880 |
| Rockford, IL | $49,400 | 40 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $41,780 | $20.09 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,330 | $22.28 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,220 | $16.93 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,280 | $17.92 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $60,750 | $29.21 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $60,950 | $29.30 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $45,430 | $21.84 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $40,210 | $19.33 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $41,910 | $20.15 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,240 | $28.00 |
| Light Truck Driver | $47,150 | $22.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,790 | $30.19 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $48,100 | $23.13 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $46,170 a year, or $22.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $95,620 a year. The top 25% earn $88,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,970 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $41,210 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 320 crane and tower operators are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.