Crane and Tower Operators Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $67,780 +2.1% vs national
Median hourly $32.59
10th percentile $48,760
90th percentile $81,650
Employed locally 120
National median $66,370

Compare Crane and Tower Operators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Des Moines, IA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Crane and Tower Operators
in
Des Moines, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $48,760
    25th
    $50,850
    50th (median)
    $67,780
    75th
    $81,610
    90th
    $81,650

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Crane and Tower Operators salary vs area income 80% Median Crane and Tower Operators salary is 20% 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
    District of Columbia $106,150
    Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN $80,440
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $79,440
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $75,830
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $73,880
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $72,630

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $58,880
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $44,530
    Stockers and Order Fillers $37,330
    Light Truck Drivers $45,850
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $59,260
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $51,470

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Crane and Tower Operators in Des Moines, IA is $32.59, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $42.91 or more per hour.

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

    The median Crane and Tower Operators salary in Des Moines, IA is 2.1% above 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 Des Moines?

    Entry-level Crane and Tower Operators (10th percentile) earn around $48,760 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $50,850.