Crane and Tower Operators salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Crane and Tower Operators in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $59,430 a year ($28.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,420 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $68,080. Pay here is 12% lower than the Wisconsin statewide median of $67,720. There are 0.11 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.40). The average (mean) salary is $65,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,560 | $22.39 |
| 25th percentile | $48,980 | $23.55 |
| Median | $59,430 | $28.57 |
| 75th percentile | $75,500 | $36.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,420 | $50.20 |
| Average (mean) | $65,620 | $31.55 |
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 | $4,952.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,476.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,285.77 |
| Weekly | $1,142.88 |
| Hourly | $28.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,430 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $99,540 | 180 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $75,230 | 40 |
| Green Bay, WI | $73,780 | 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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,840 | $21.56 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $34,470 | $16.57 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,070 | $16.86 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,780 | $22.97 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,080 | $16.87 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $63,640 | $30.60 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $59,870 | $28.79 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $35,390 | $17.02 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,580 | $28.64 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,790 | $22.01 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $22,350 | $10.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $64,100 | $30.82 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $48,290 | $23.21 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $35,940 | $17.28 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $59,430 a year, or $28.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $104,420 a year. The top 25% earn $75,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,560 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $48,980 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 90 crane and tower operators are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.