Crane and Tower Operators salary in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
Crane and Tower Operators in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area earn a median of $71,770 a year ($34.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,970 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $68,080. Pay here is 10% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $65,190. There are 0.19 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.68). The average (mean) salary is $70,000, close to the median.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,660 | $22.91 |
| 25th percentile | $56,610 | $27.22 |
| Median | $71,770 | $34.51 |
| 75th percentile | $72,030 | $34.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,970 | $46.14 |
| Average (mean) | $70,000 | $33.65 |
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 | $5,980.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,990.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,760.38 |
| Weekly | $1,380.19 |
| Hourly | $34.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $71,770 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Reading, PA | $98,860 | 60 |
| Lancaster, PA | $72,150 | 80 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $72,010 | 790 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $63,680 | 60 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $63,190 | 90 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $61,510 | 330 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $51,450 | 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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,410 | $17.99 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $42,900 | $20.63 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $48,860 | $23.49 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,430 | $18.00 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $32,290 | $15.52 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $45,960 | $22.10 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $33,400 | $16.06 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $57,580 | $27.68 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,110 | $20.73 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,030 | $31.26 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $45,010 | $21.64 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $46,430 | $22.32 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $29,970 | $14.41 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $49,310 | $23.71 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
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 Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area is $71,770 a year, or $34.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area earn at least $95,970 a year. The top 25% earn $72,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,660 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $56,610 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
About 50 crane and tower operators are employed in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.