Crane and Tower Operators Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $69,970 +5.4% vs national
Median hourly $33.64
10th percentile $49,640
90th percentile $153,660
Employed locally 230
National median $66,370

Compare Crane and Tower Operators salary & buying power

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

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Crane and Tower Operators
in
San Francisco, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $49,640
    25th
    $69,790
    50th (median)
    $69,970
    75th
    $133,570
    90th
    $153,660

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Crane and Tower Operators salary vs area income 52% Median Crane and Tower Operators salary is 48% 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
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $77,270

    Related occupations in San Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $48,220
    Stockers and Order Fillers $44,630
    Light Truck Drivers $49,300
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $64,210
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $72,230
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $57,250

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Crane and Tower Operators in San Francisco, CA is $33.64, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $74.28 or more per hour.

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

    The median Crane and Tower Operators salary in San Francisco, CA is 5.4% 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 Francisco?

    Entry-level Crane and Tower Operators (10th percentile) earn around $49,640 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $69,790.