Crane and Tower Operators Salary in Houston, TX

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

Median annual salary $75,450 +13.7% vs national
Median hourly $36.27
10th percentile $38,890
90th percentile $97,150
Employed locally 2,390
National median $66,370

Compare Crane and Tower Operators salary & buying power

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

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Crane and Tower Operators
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Houston, TX
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,890
    25th
    $58,850
    50th (median)
    $75,450
    75th
    $82,390
    90th
    $97,150

    Houston economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,458 2023 • Census ACS
    Crane and Tower Operators salary vs area income 94% Median Crane and Tower Operators salary is 6% 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
    Midland, TX $79,510
    Killeen-Temple, TX $76,010
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $75,300
    Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $74,570
    Corpus Christi, TX $72,870
    Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX $71,570

    Related occupations in Houston, TX

    OccupationMedian salary
    Stockers and Order Fillers $36,200
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $37,600
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $55,500
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $46,240
    Light Truck Drivers $43,690
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $59,890

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Crane and Tower Operators in Houston, TX is $36.27, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $47.62 or more per hour.

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

    The median Crane and Tower Operators salary in Houston, TX is 13.7% 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 Houston?

    Entry-level Crane and Tower Operators (10th percentile) earn around $38,890 per year in Houston, TX. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $58,850.