Crane and Tower Operators salary in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI
Crane and Tower Operators in the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area earn a median of $49,440 a year ($23.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,450 for the top 10%. That is 27% lower than the national median of $68,080. Pay here is 7% lower than the Indiana statewide median of $52,950. There are 0.30 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $55,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,190 | $19.32 |
| 25th percentile | $48,100 | $23.13 |
| Median | $49,440 | $23.77 |
| 75th percentile | $53,920 | $25.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,450 | $41.08 |
| Average (mean) | $55,660 | $26.76 |
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 | $4,120 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,060 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,901.54 |
| Weekly | $950.77 |
| Hourly | $23.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $49,440 salary, see how much house you can afford in Indiana 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 |
| Saginaw, MI | $76,750 | 30 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $72,020 | 340 |
| Evansville, IN | $64,100 | 90 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $59,740 | 650 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $55,890 | 1,880 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $55,000 | 210 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $54,560 | 230 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $50,550 | 40 |
| Monroe, MI | $49,480 | 60 |
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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,830 | $18.67 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,780 | $17.68 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $44,350 | $21.32 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,510 | $16.59 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,790 | $17.21 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $37,780 | $18.16 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $60,080 | $28.89 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $37,280 | $17.92 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $56,820 | $27.32 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,300 | $20.82 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $36,970 | $17.77 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $47,150 | $22.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $63,250 | $30.41 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $34,210 | $16.45 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI
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 South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area is $49,440 a year, or $23.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area earn at least $85,450 a year. The top 25% earn $53,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,190 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $48,100 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI?
About 40 crane and tower operators are employed in the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.