Crane and Tower Operators salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Crane and Tower Operators in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $114,330 a year ($54.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 570 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,210 for the top 10%. That is 68% higher than the national median of $68,080. Pay here is 13% higher than the Washington statewide median of $101,110. There are 0.27 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $105,010, close to the median.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,320 | $30.44 |
| 25th percentile | $80,000 | $38.46 |
| Median | $114,330 | $54.96 |
| 75th percentile | $124,520 | $59.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,210 | $65.00 |
| Average (mean) | $105,010 | $50.49 |
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 | $9,527.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,763.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,397.31 |
| Weekly | $2,198.65 |
| Hourly | $54.96 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $114,330 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $120,310 | 40 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $116,840 | 70 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $99,320 | 110 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $80,260 | 210 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $79,500 | 70 |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $46,830 | $22.52 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $47,740 | $22.95 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $55,600 | $26.73 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $44,010 | $21.16 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $42,750 | $20.56 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $75,090 | $36.10 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $44,800 | $21.54 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $46,950 | $22.57 |
| Hoist and Winch Operators | $74,840 | $35.98 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $71,240 | $34.25 |
| Light Truck Driver | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $76,390 | $36.73 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $83,430 | $40.11 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $66,380 | $31.91 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $114,330 a year, or $54.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $135,210 a year. The top 25% earn $124,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,320 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $80,000 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 570 crane and tower operators are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.