Crane and Tower Operators salary in Wisconsin
Crane and Tower Operators in Wisconsin earn a median of $67,720 a year ($32.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 440 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,420 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $68,080. Wisconsin ranks 23rd of 50 states for crane and tower operators pay. There are 0.15 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.54). The average (mean) salary is $72,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,980 | $23.55 |
| 25th percentile | $53,530 | $25.74 |
| Median | $67,720 | $32.56 |
| 75th percentile | $85,110 | $40.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,420 | $50.20 |
| Average (mean) | $72,660 | $34.93 |
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 | $5,643.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,821.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,604.62 |
| Weekly | $1,302.31 |
| Hourly | $32.56 |
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 Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $99,540 | 180 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $75,230 | 40 |
| Green Bay, WI | $73,780 | 40 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $59,430 | 90 |
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 Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,610 | $21.45 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,010 | $17.31 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,280 | $16.96 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $59,810 | $28.76 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $35,580 | $17.10 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $55,120 | $26.50 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $39,550 | $19.01 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $57,250 | $27.52 |
| Hoist and Winch Operators | $36,560 | $17.58 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Dredge Operator | $54,310 | $26.11 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,610 | $28.18 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in Wisconsin is $67,720 a year, or $32.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in Wisconsin earn at least $104,420 a year. The top 25% earn $85,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,980 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $53,530 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Wisconsin?
About 440 crane and tower operators are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.