EN

Occupation · SOC 53-7021

Crane and Tower Operators

There are 42,890 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $68,080 a year. The most jobs are in Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TX.

TransportationTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
42,890
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$68,080
Median pay a year
Middle half: $52,600–$83,200
3,500
Annual openings
10-year change: +3.8%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 160 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $75,500 · LCA filings 02,100$75,5000
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $55,890 · LCA filings 01,880$55,8900
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $100,640 · LCA filings 01,500$100,6400
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $68,640 · LCA filings 01,310$68,6400
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $72,010 · LCA filings 0790$72,0100
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $62,910 · LCA filings 0660$62,9100
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIMedian pay $59,740 · LCA filings 0650$59,7400
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZMedian pay $72,580 · LCA filings 0630$72,5800
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $81,490 · LCA filings 0590$81,4900
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $114,330 · LCA filings 0570$114,3300

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Worcester, MAEmployment 110 · LCA filings 0$122,2601100
Urban Honolulu, HIEmployment 170 · LCA filings 0$120,5601700
Kennewick–Richland, WAEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$120,310400
Mount Vernon–Anacortes, WAEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$116,840700
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 570 · LCA filings 0$114,3305700

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $58,469 · Level III $70,699 · Level IV $82,909$46,259$58,469$70,699$82,909
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $51,771 · Level III $62,462 · Level IV $73,133$41,101$51,771$62,462$73,133
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $94,994 · Level III $116,501 · Level IV $137,987$73,507$94,994$116,501$137,987
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $59,550 · Level III $69,514 · Level IV $79,498$49,566$59,550$69,514$79,498
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $66,768 · Level III $78,270 · Level IV $89,794$55,245$66,768$78,270$89,794
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $57,075 · Level III $65,686 · Level IV $74,277$48,485$57,075$65,686$74,277
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MILevel II $58,448 · Level III $69,888 · Level IV $81,328$47,008$58,448$69,888$81,328
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZLevel II $62,712 · Level III $70,782 · Level IV $78,832$54,662$62,712$70,782$78,832
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $77,667 · Level III $94,786 · Level IV $111,883$60,570$77,667$94,786$111,883
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $88,379 · Level III $104,853 · Level IV $121,306$71,926$88,379$104,853$121,306

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Ground TransportationCIP 49.02OPT · up to 12 months52OPT · up to 12 months

See Crane and Tower Operators in every metro area

All 160 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

See every metro area →

Find jobs on Where They Hire

U.S. jobsJobs abroadCompanies

Related occupations · Transportation

Stockers and Order FillersLaborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, HandHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversLight Truck DriversIndustrial Truck and Tractor OperatorsPackers and Packagers, HandBus Drivers, SchoolFirst-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology