Crane and Tower Operators Salary in Columbia, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC

Median annual salary $53,790 -19% vs national
Median hourly $25.86
10th percentile $39,800
90th percentile $77,730
Employed locally 80
National median $66,370

Compare Crane and Tower Operators salary & buying power

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

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Crane and Tower Operators
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $39,800
    25th
    $46,860
    50th (median)
    $53,790
    75th
    $73,280
    90th
    $77,730

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Crane and Tower Operators salary vs area income 81% Median Crane and Tower Operators salary is 19% 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
    Charleston-North Charleston, SC $79,430
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $73,010
    South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $72,420
    Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA $71,770
    Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $71,360
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $69,970

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Stockers and Order Fillers $36,520
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $37,580
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $52,730
    Light Truck Drivers $40,500
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $40,820
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $62,430

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Crane and Tower Operators in Columbia, SC is $25.86, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $42.77 or more per hour.

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

    The median Crane and Tower Operators salary in Columbia, SC is 19% 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 Columbia?

    Entry-level Crane and Tower Operators (10th percentile) earn around $39,800 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,860.