Hoist and Winch Operators salary in the U.S.
Hoist and Winch Operators in the U.S. earn a median of $56,450 a year ($27.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,600 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,210 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $67,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for hoist and winch operators in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,640 | $17.13 |
| 25th percentile | $42,690 | $20.53 |
| Median | $56,450 | $27.14 |
| 75th percentile | $94,350 | $45.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,210 | $56.83 |
| Average (mean) | $67,710 | $32.55 |
Half of hoist and winch 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 | $4,704.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,352.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,171.15 |
| Weekly | $1,085.58 |
| Hourly | $27.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Hoist and Winch Operators salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $118,210 | 320 |
| Hawaii | $107,100 | 120 |
| Maryland | $99,840 | 140 |
| Minnesota | $78,400 | 60 |
| New York | $74,980 | 110 |
| Massachusetts | $62,240 | n/a |
| Oregon | $55,880 | 70 |
| Missouri | $47,510 | 40 |
| Ohio | $43,000 | n/a |
| Michigan | $40,070 | 50 |
| Tennessee | $39,930 | 40 |
| Indiana | $39,750 | 120 |
| Georgia | $37,870 | 90 |
| Virginia | $37,020 | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $36,560 | 80 |
| Florida | $33,570 | 120 |
| Puerto Rico | $21,890 | 110 |
Best-paying metro areas for hoist and winch operators
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $118,210 | 300 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $99,840 | 130 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $78,400 | 60 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $74,840 | 160 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $64,390 | n/a |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $47,810 | 40 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $46,310 | 60 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $35,410 | 30 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $29,120 | n/a |
Metro areas with the most hoist and winch operators
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 300 | $118,210 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 160 | $74,840 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 130 | $99,840 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 60 | $46,310 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 60 | $78,400 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 40 | $47,810 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 30 | $35,410 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,240 | $19.35 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,330 | $17.95 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,420 | $22.32 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,280 | $17.44 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,830 | $17.23 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $49,690 | $23.89 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $68,080 | $32.73 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $41,220 | $19.82 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $41,800 | $20.10 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $42,420 | $20.39 |
| Wellhead Pumper | $69,960 | $33.63 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $58,870 | $28.30 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $61,770 | $29.70 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | $77,320 | $37.17 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-7041. 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 hoist and winch operators make in the U.S.?
The median salary for hoist and winch operators in the U.S. is $56,450 a year, or $27.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid hoist and winch operators make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of hoist and winch operators in the U.S. earn at least $118,210 a year. The top 25% earn $94,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for hoist and winch operators in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,640 a year, and a quarter of hoist and winch operators earn $42,690 or less.
How many hoist and winch operators work in the U.S.?
About 2,600 hoist and winch operators are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.