Crane and Tower Operators salary in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH
Crane and Tower Operators in the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH metro area earn a median of $56,780 a year ($27.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,950 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $68,080. Pay here is 4% higher than the West Virginia statewide median of $54,830. There are 0.54 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $60,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,620 | $18.09 |
| 25th percentile | $50,300 | $24.19 |
| Median | $56,780 | $27.30 |
| 75th percentile | $71,760 | $34.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,950 | $38.44 |
| Average (mean) | $60,650 | $29.16 |
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 | $4,731.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,365.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,183.85 |
| Weekly | $1,091.92 |
| Hourly | $27.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $56,780 salary, see how much house you can afford in West Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $92,120 | 410 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $83,040 | 90 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $80,850 | 170 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $74,130 | 50 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $72,070 | 110 |
| Columbus, OH | $66,710 | 120 |
| Akron, OH | $64,650 | 120 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $63,480 | 40 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $63,070 | 30 |
| Cleveland, OH | $57,620 | 400 |
| Toledo, OH | $57,020 | 120 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $55,000 | 210 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $54,300 | 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 West Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $30,980 | $14.89 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $36,120 | $17.36 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $29,780 | $14.32 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $42,740 | $20.55 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $36,380 | $17.49 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $33,090 | $15.91 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $50,050 | $24.06 |
| Light Truck Driver | $37,790 | $18.17 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $29,190 | $14.03 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $34,050 | $16.37 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $50,870 | $24.46 |
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | $70,600 | $33.94 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $28,880 | $13.89 |
| Parking Attendant | $36,900 | $17.74 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH
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 Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH metro area is $56,780 a year, or $27.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH metro area earn at least $79,950 a year. The top 25% earn $71,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,620 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $50,300 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH?
About 80 crane and tower operators are employed in the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.