Crane and Tower Operators salary in West Virginia
Crane and Tower Operators in West Virginia earn a median of $54,830 a year ($26.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,090 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $68,080. West Virginia ranks 47th of 50 states for crane and tower operators pay. There are 0.25 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $54,450, close to the median.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,260 | $17.43 |
| 25th percentile | $39,720 | $19.09 |
| Median | $54,830 | $26.36 |
| 75th percentile | $59,810 | $28.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,090 | $34.66 |
| Average (mean) | $54,450 | $26.18 |
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 | $4,569.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,284.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,108.85 |
| Weekly | $1,054.42 |
| Hourly | $26.36 |
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 West Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $92,120 | 410 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $63,480 | 40 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $56,780 | 80 |
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 West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $34,510 | $16.59 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $36,990 | $17.79 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $41,670 | $20.03 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $29,390 | $14.13 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $28,740 | $13.82 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $35,840 | $17.23 |
| Wellhead Pumper | $52,170 | $25.08 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $62,830 | $30.21 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | $65,050 | $31.27 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $39,360 | $18.92 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $54,750 | $26.32 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $61,450 | $29.54 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $49,480 | $23.79 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $33,360 | $16.04 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in West Virginia
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 West Virginia?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in West Virginia is $54,830 a year, or $26.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in West Virginia earn at least $72,090 a year. The top 25% earn $59,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,260 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $39,720 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in West Virginia?
About 170 crane and tower operators are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.