Crane and Tower Operators Salary in Raleigh, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Raleigh-Cary, NC

Median annual salary $79,280 +19.5% vs national
Median hourly $38.12
10th percentile $53,180
90th percentile $104,000
Employed locally 180
National median $66,370

Compare Crane and Tower Operators salary & buying power

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

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Crane and Tower Operators
in
Raleigh, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $53,180
    25th
    $61,020
    50th (median)
    $79,280
    75th
    $80,710
    90th
    $104,000

    Raleigh economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $96,066 2023 • Census ACS
    Crane and Tower Operators salary vs area income 83% Median Crane and Tower Operators salary is 17% 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
    Lincoln, NE $77,500
    Wilmington, NC $75,700
    Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $73,710
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $72,110
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $69,970

    Related occupations in Raleigh, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $35,930
    Stockers and Order Fillers $34,670
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $50,940
    Light Truck Drivers $39,410
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $59,610
    Bus Drivers, School $37,750

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Crane and Tower Operators in Raleigh, NC is $38.12, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $43.91 or more per hour.

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

    The median Crane and Tower Operators salary in Raleigh, NC is 19.5% 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 Raleigh?

    Entry-level Crane and Tower Operators (10th percentile) earn around $53,180 per year in Raleigh, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $61,020.