Crane and Tower Operators Salary in San Jose, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Median annual salary $118,720 +78.9% vs national
Median hourly $57.08
10th percentile $49,650
90th percentile $157,810
Employed locally 60
National median $66,370

Compare Crane and Tower Operators salary & buying power

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

    10th
    $49,650
    25th
    $93,210
    50th (median)
    $118,720
    75th
    $157,810
    90th
    $157,810

    San Jose economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $157,444 2023 • Census ACS
    Crane and Tower Operators salary vs area income 75% Median Crane and Tower Operators salary is 25% 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
    Hawaii $115,870
    Urban Honolulu, HI $115,860
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $113,700

    Nearby metros — Crane and Tower Operators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    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
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $75,980

    Related occupations in San Jose, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $46,030
    Stockers and Order Fillers $44,910
    Light Truck Drivers $50,060
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $65,540
    Packers and Packagers, Hand $40,600
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $72,280

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Crane and Tower Operators in San Jose, CA is $57.08, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $75.87 or more per hour.

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

    The median Crane and Tower Operators salary in San Jose, CA is 78.9% 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 Jose?

    Entry-level Crane and Tower Operators (10th percentile) earn around $49,650 per year in San Jose, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $93,210.