Crane and Tower Operators salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Crane and Tower Operators in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $60,110 a year ($28.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,150 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $68,080. Pay here is 11% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $67,600. There are 0.53 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $64,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,070 | $28.88 |
| 25th percentile | $60,110 | $28.90 |
| Median | $60,110 | $28.90 |
| 75th percentile | $71,410 | $34.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,150 | $38.53 |
| Average (mean) | $64,450 | $30.99 |
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 | $5,009.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,504.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,311.92 |
| Weekly | $1,155.96 |
| Hourly | $28.90 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $75,760 | 90 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $69,270 | 110 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $68,880 | 150 |
| Dubuque, IA | $49,720 | n/a |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $47,440 | $22.81 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,990 | $17.78 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,670 | $20.99 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,460 | $17.05 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,010 | $17.31 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $50,770 | $24.41 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,730 | $28.23 |
| Light Truck Driver | $41,150 | $19.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $59,660 | $28.68 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $44,920 | $21.60 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,160 | $17.38 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $47,100 | $22.65 |
| Parking Attendant | $31,010 | $14.91 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $60,110 a year, or $28.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $80,150 a year. The top 25% earn $71,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,070 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $60,110 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 40 crane and tower operators are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.