Crane and Tower Operators salary in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
Crane and Tower Operators in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn a median of $72,020 a year ($34.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,730 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $68,080. Pay here is 36% higher than the Indiana statewide median of $52,950. There are 0.30 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $69,240, close to the median.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,870 | $19.17 |
| 25th percentile | $44,670 | $21.48 |
| Median | $72,020 | $34.62 |
| 75th percentile | $90,630 | $43.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,730 | $47.46 |
| Average (mean) | $69,240 | $33.29 |
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 | $6,001.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,000.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,770 |
| Weekly | $1,385 |
| Hourly | $34.62 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $72,020 salary, see how much house you can afford in Indiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $80,850 | 170 |
| Evansville, IN | $64,100 | 90 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $55,890 | 1,880 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $55,000 | 210 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $50,550 | 40 |
| 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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,180 | $21.24 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,120 | $17.85 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,040 | $17.81 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $33,470 | $16.09 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $59,710 | $28.71 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $37,820 | $18.18 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $38,990 | $18.74 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $50,040 | $24.06 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $61,980 | $29.80 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,180 | $21.72 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,590 | $31.53 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $49,890 | $23.99 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $40,590 | $19.51 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
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 Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area is $72,020 a year, or $34.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn at least $98,730 a year. The top 25% earn $90,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,870 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $44,670 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
About 340 crane and tower operators are employed in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.