Crane and Tower Operators Salary in Wilmington, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Wilmington, NC

Median annual salary $75,700 +14.1% vs national
Median hourly $36.40
10th percentile $50,250
90th percentile $85,230
Employed locally 80
National median $66,370

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Crane and Tower Operators
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Wilmington, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $50,250
    25th
    $58,960
    50th (median)
    $75,700
    75th
    $82,830
    90th
    $85,230

    Wilmington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $73,687 2023 • Census ACS
    Crane and Tower Operators salary vs area income 103% Median Crane and Tower Operators salary is 3% above 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
    Raleigh-Cary, NC $79,280
    Lincoln, NE $77,500
    Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $73,710
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $72,110
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $69,970

    Related occupations in Wilmington, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Stockers and Order Fillers $34,670
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $36,260
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $48,430
    Light Truck Drivers $37,390
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $59,160
    Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment $30,820

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Crane and Tower Operators in Wilmington, NC is $36.40, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $41.28 or more per hour.

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

    The median Crane and Tower Operators salary in Wilmington, NC is 14.1% 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 Wilmington?

    Entry-level Crane and Tower Operators (10th percentile) earn around $50,250 per year in Wilmington, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $58,960.