Crane and Tower Operators salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
Crane and Tower Operators in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn a median of $80,850 a year ($38.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,590 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $68,080. Pay here is 30% higher than the Kentucky statewide median of $62,000. There are 0.25 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $72,090, close to the median.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,810 | $18.66 |
| 25th percentile | $48,360 | $23.25 |
| Median | $80,850 | $38.87 |
| 75th percentile | $89,660 | $43.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,590 | $44.52 |
| Average (mean) | $72,090 | $34.66 |
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 | $6,737.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,368.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,109.62 |
| Weekly | $1,554.81 |
| Hourly | $38.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $80,850 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $74,130 | 50 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $72,020 | 340 |
| Evansville, IN | $64,100 | 90 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $63,070 | 30 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $56,780 | 80 |
| 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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $46,830 | $22.51 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,610 | $18.08 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,190 | $22.21 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,910 | $16.79 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $51,080 | $24.56 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $43,870 | $21.09 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $43,350 | $20.84 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $63,100 | $30.34 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,000 | $28.37 |
| Light Truck Driver | $47,150 | $22.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,440 | $29.06 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $39,140 | $18.82 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $55,640 | $26.75 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area is $80,850 a year, or $38.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn at least $92,590 a year. The top 25% earn $89,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,810 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $48,360 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
About 170 crane and tower operators are employed in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.