Crane and Tower Operators salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Crane and Tower Operators in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $92,120 a year ($44.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 410 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,700 for the top 10%. That is 35% higher than the national median of $68,080. Pay here is 38% higher than the Virginia statewide median of $66,600. There are 0.13 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.48). The average (mean) salary is $83,830, close to the median.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,300 | $29.95 |
| 25th percentile | $70,250 | $33.77 |
| Median | $92,120 | $44.29 |
| 75th percentile | $94,700 | $45.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,700 | $45.53 |
| Average (mean) | $83,830 | $40.30 |
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 | $7,676.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,838.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,543.08 |
| Weekly | $1,771.54 |
| Hourly | $44.29 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $92,120 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $87,950 | 410 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $72,010 | 790 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $71,400 | 430 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $63,480 | 40 |
| Richmond, VA | $61,180 | 170 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $56,780 | 80 |
| Roanoke, VA | $52,540 | 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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,870 | $18.21 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $42,590 | $20.47 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $49,710 | $23.90 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,730 | $17.66 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,730 | $18.14 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $46,530 | $22.37 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $43,120 | $20.73 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $39,160 | $18.83 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $52,170 | $25.08 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,820 | $28.76 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,360 | $22.29 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $38,790 | $18.65 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $57,610 | $27.70 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $67,960 | $32.67 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $92,120 a year, or $44.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $94,700 a year. The top 25% earn $94,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,300 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $70,250 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 410 crane and tower operators are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.