Crane and Tower Operators Salary in Northwest Illinois

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $45,500 -31.4% vs national
Median hourly $21.88
10th percentile $36,990
90th percentile $66,730
Employed locally 30
National median $66,370

Compare Crane and Tower Operators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Northwest Illinois stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Crane and Tower Operators
in
Northwest Illinois
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,990
    25th
    $40,110
    50th (median)
    $45,500
    75th
    $50,890
    90th
    $66,730

    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

    Related occupations in Northwest Illinois

    OccupationMedian salary
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$40,640
    Stockers and Order Fillers$36,600
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$51,570
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$51,380
    Light Truck Drivers$41,750
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$63,090

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Crane and Tower Operators in Northwest Illinois is $21.88, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $29.45 or more per hour.

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

    The median Crane and Tower Operators salary in Northwest Illinois is 31.4% 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 Northwest Illinois?

    Entry-level Crane and Tower Operators (10th percentile) earn around $36,990 per year in Northwest Illinois. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $40,110.