Crane and Tower Operators salary in Tennessee
Crane and Tower Operators in Tennessee earn a median of $59,410 a year ($28.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 660 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,090 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $68,080. Tennessee ranks 44th of 50 states for crane and tower operators pay. There are 0.20 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $63,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,890 | $19.66 |
| 25th percentile | $45,910 | $22.07 |
| Median | $59,410 | $28.56 |
| 75th percentile | $78,920 | $37.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,090 | $40.43 |
| Average (mean) | $63,250 | $30.41 |
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 | $4,950.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,475.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,285 |
| Weekly | $1,142.50 |
| Hourly | $28.56 |
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 Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $76,750 | 210 |
| Jackson, TN | $59,410 | 70 |
| Knoxville, TN | $58,670 | 110 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $53,600 | 110 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $45,280 | 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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,160 | $18.35 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,140 | $17.38 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $42,100 | $20.24 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,950 | $16.80 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $43,270 | $20.80 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $38,260 | $18.39 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $37,530 | $18.04 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $40,400 | $19.42 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $52,120 | $25.06 |
| Hoist and Winch Operators | $39,930 | $19.20 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | $45,350 | $21.80 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,620 | $28.18 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,050 | $21.66 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in Tennessee is $59,410 a year, or $28.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in Tennessee earn at least $84,090 a year. The top 25% earn $78,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,890 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $45,910 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Tennessee?
About 660 crane and tower operators are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.