Crane and Tower Operators salary in Lexington-Fayette, KY
Crane and Tower Operators in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn a median of $74,130 a year ($35.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,660 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $68,080. Pay here is 20% higher than the Kentucky statewide median of $62,000. There are 0.16 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.59). The average (mean) salary is $71,570, close to the median.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,840 | $24.44 |
| 25th percentile | $57,190 | $27.50 |
| Median | $74,130 | $35.64 |
| 75th percentile | $87,670 | $42.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,660 | $42.62 |
| Average (mean) | $71,570 | $34.41 |
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 | $6,177.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,088.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,851.15 |
| Weekly | $1,425.58 |
| Hourly | $35.64 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $74,130 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky 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 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $63,070 | 30 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $56,780 | 80 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $55,000 | 210 |
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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $41,910 | $20.15 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,490 | $22.83 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,410 | $16.55 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,190 | $17.40 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $48,140 | $23.14 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $42,460 | $20.42 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $56,950 | $27.38 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,810 | $20.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,070 | $28.88 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $39,420 | $18.95 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $52,260 | $25.13 |
| Parking Attendant | $32,750 | $15.75 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $35,120 | $16.88 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Lexington-Fayette, KY
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 Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $74,130 a year, or $35.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn at least $88,660 a year. The top 25% earn $87,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,840 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $57,190 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
About 50 crane and tower operators are employed in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.