Crane and Tower Operators Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $77,270 +16.4% vs national
Median hourly $37.15
10th percentile $53,970
90th percentile $131,550
Employed locally 160
National median $66,370

Compare Crane and Tower Operators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how San Diego, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Crane and Tower Operators
in
San Diego, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $53,970
    25th
    $67,070
    50th (median)
    $77,270
    75th
    $78,400
    90th
    $131,550

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Crane and Tower Operators salary vs area income 76% Median Crane and Tower Operators salary is 24% 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
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $118,720
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $81,110
    Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN $80,440
    Raleigh-Cary, NC $79,280
    Casper, WY $77,650
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $75,980

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $39,000
    Stockers and Order Fillers $38,690
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $59,480
    Light Truck Drivers $43,820
    Packers and Packagers, Hand $36,500
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $58,360

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Crane and Tower Operators in San Diego, CA is $37.15, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $59.66 or more per hour.

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

    The median Crane and Tower Operators salary in San Diego, CA is 16.4% 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 San Diego?

    Entry-level Crane and Tower Operators (10th percentile) earn around $53,970 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $67,070.