Crane and Tower Operators salary in Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL
Crane and Tower Operators in the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL metro area earn a median of $69,270 a year ($33.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,090 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $68,080. Pay here is 2% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $67,600. There are 0.59 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $68,170, close to the median.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,990 | $18.75 |
| 25th percentile | $49,280 | $23.69 |
| Median | $69,270 | $33.30 |
| 75th percentile | $74,110 | $35.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,090 | $57.26 |
| Average (mean) | $68,170 | $32.77 |
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 | $5,772.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,886.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,664.23 |
| Weekly | $1,332.12 |
| Hourly | $33.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $69,270 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $75,760 | 90 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $68,880 | 150 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $63,070 | 30 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $60,110 | 40 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $55,890 | 1,880 |
| Dubuque, IA | $49,720 | n/a |
| Rockford, IL | $49,400 | 40 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $46,170 | 320 |
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 Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $42,980 | $20.66 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,720 | $17.65 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $51,850 | $24.93 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $75,440 | $36.27 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,020 | $16.84 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,990 | $16.82 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,280 | $28.02 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,200 | $22.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $63,430 | $30.49 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $46,940 | $22.57 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $46,720 | $22.46 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $31,440 | $15.12 |
| Parking Attendant | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $57,500 | $27.64 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL
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 Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL metro area is $69,270 a year, or $33.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL metro area earn at least $119,090 a year. The top 25% earn $74,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,990 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $49,280 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL?
About 110 crane and tower operators are employed in the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.