Crane and Tower Operators salary in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
Crane and Tower Operators in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area earn a median of $63,190 a year ($30.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,650 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $68,080. Pay here is 3% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $65,190. There are 0.25 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $63,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,310 | $19.38 |
| 25th percentile | $47,350 | $22.77 |
| Median | $63,190 | $30.38 |
| 75th percentile | $75,840 | $36.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,650 | $40.22 |
| Average (mean) | $63,720 | $30.63 |
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 | $5,265.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,632.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,430.38 |
| Weekly | $1,215.19 |
| Hourly | $30.38 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,190 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Crane and Tower Operators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $100,640 | 1,500 |
| Reading, PA | $98,860 | 60 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $96,510 | 40 |
| Lancaster, PA | $72,150 | 80 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $72,010 | 790 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $71,770 | 50 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $63,680 | 60 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $61,510 | 330 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $51,450 | 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 |
See Crane and Tower Operators pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $42,380 | $20.38 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $38,950 | $18.73 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $49,140 | $23.63 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,970 | $18.25 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,120 | $16.40 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $51,610 | $24.81 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $58,960 | $28.34 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $49,680 | $23.89 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,090 | $28.89 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,160 | $20.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $66,320 | $31.89 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $49,770 | $23.93 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $39,170 | $18.83 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $34,510 | $16.59 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
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 Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area is $63,190 a year, or $30.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area earn at least $83,650 a year. The top 25% earn $75,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,310 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $47,350 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?
About 90 crane and tower operators are employed in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area, not counting the self-employed.