Crane and Tower Operators salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Crane and Tower Operators in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $59,740 a year ($28.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 650 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,440 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $68,080. Pay here is about the same as the Michigan statewide median of $59,740. There are 0.34 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $70,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,320 | $21.31 |
| 25th percentile | $51,430 | $24.73 |
| Median | $59,740 | $28.72 |
| 75th percentile | $92,100 | $44.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,440 | $48.29 |
| Average (mean) | $70,000 | $33.65 |
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 | $4,978.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,489.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,297.69 |
| Weekly | $1,148.85 |
| Hourly | $28.72 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,740 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Saginaw, MI | $76,750 | 30 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $54,560 | 230 |
| Monroe, MI | $49,480 | 60 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $49,440 | 40 |
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,720 | $17.66 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,330 | $19.39 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,550 | $22.38 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,120 | $17.37 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,780 | $16.72 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $51,070 | $24.55 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $46,310 | $22.26 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $38,330 | $18.43 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $60,440 | $29.06 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $44,270 | $21.28 |
| Hoist and Winch Operators | $35,410 | $17.03 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,120 | $28.43 |
| Light Truck Driver | $44,200 | $21.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,670 | $29.65 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $59,740 a year, or $28.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $100,440 a year. The top 25% earn $92,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,320 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $51,430 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 650 crane and tower operators are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.