Crane and Tower Operators Salary in Charlotte, NC-SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

Median annual salary $59,220 -10.8% vs national
Median hourly $28.47
10th percentile $40,290
90th percentile $82,280
Employed locally 340
National median $66,370

Compare Crane and Tower Operators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Charlotte, NC-SC stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Crane and Tower Operators
in
Charlotte, NC-SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $40,290
    25th
    $49,900
    50th (median)
    $59,220
    75th
    $71,460
    90th
    $82,280

    Charlotte economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,201 2023 • Census ACS
    Crane and Tower Operators salary vs area income 74% Median Crane and Tower Operators salary is 26% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Crane and Tower Operators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Worcester, MA $133,820
    Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV $132,560
    Nevada $129,930
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $118,720
    Hawaii $115,870
    Urban Honolulu, HI $115,860

    Nearby metros — Crane and Tower Operators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $110,280
    Raleigh-Cary, NC $79,280
    Lincoln, NE $77,500
    Wilmington, NC $75,700
    Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $73,710
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $72,110

    Related occupations in Charlotte, NC-SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$36,720
    Stockers and Order Fillers$37,420
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$51,930
    Light Truck Drivers$40,040
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$44,100
    Packers and Packagers, Hand$34,830

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Crane and Tower Operators make per hour in Charlotte?

    The median hourly wage for Crane and Tower Operators in Charlotte, NC-SC is $28.47, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $39.77 or more per hour.

    Is Charlotte above or below average for Crane and Tower Operators salaries?

    The median Crane and Tower Operators salary in Charlotte, NC-SC is 10.8% below the national median of $66,370. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Crane and Tower Operators in Charlotte?

    Entry-level Crane and Tower Operators (10th percentile) earn around $40,290 per year in Charlotte, NC-SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $49,900.