Crane and Tower Operators Salary in Durham, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Median annual salary $73,710 +11.1% vs national
Median hourly $35.44
10th percentile $53,440
90th percentile $82,860
Employed locally 40
National median $66,370

Compare Crane and Tower Operators salary & buying power

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

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Crane and Tower Operators
in
Durham, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $53,440
    25th
    $62,550
    50th (median)
    $73,710
    75th
    $79,320
    90th
    $82,860

    Durham economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $81,017 2023 • Census ACS
    Crane and Tower Operators salary vs area income 91% Median Crane and Tower Operators salary is 9% 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
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $72,110
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $69,970

    Related occupations in Durham, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $36,450
    Stockers and Order Fillers $36,130
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $52,100
    Light Truck Drivers $40,470
    Packers and Packagers, Hand $31,680
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $60,520

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Crane and Tower Operators in Durham, NC is $35.44, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $39.84 or more per hour.

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

    The median Crane and Tower Operators salary in Durham, NC is 11.1% 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 Durham?

    Entry-level Crane and Tower Operators (10th percentile) earn around $53,440 per year in Durham, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $62,550.