Crane and Tower Operators Salary
Crane and Tower Operators in Alaska make a median of $92,490 a year, or about $44.47 an hour. The range runs from $81K at the entry level to $116K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 104.31), that's roughly $88,668 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,643/month, or 26.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Alaska. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $92K get you in Alaska?
About crane and tower operators
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What this looks like in Alaska
Alaska sits well above the national pay line for crane and tower operators, local pay runs about 36% higher than the U.S. median of $68K. Rent runs $1,643/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 26.8% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 104.31) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Alaska
Entry-level crane and tower operators (10th percentile) start around $81K. Mid-career wages sit at $92K. Top earners bring in $116K or more, a $35K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track crane and tower operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Alaska numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a crane and tower operator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Alaska?
Yes — at the median salary of $92K, rent takes 26.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,643/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for crane and tower operators in Alaska?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new crane and tower operators typically earn — is $81K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,864/month. At HUD’s $1,643/month FMR, rent would take 34% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is crane and tower operator a high-paying job in Alaska?
Local pay is 36% above the national median — $92K here vs. $68K nationally.
How does Alaska compare to the national average for crane and tower operators?
Alaska pays $92K median vs. the U.S. average of $68K — that’s +36%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 104.31), the purchasing-power equivalent is $89K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do crane and tower operators make in Alaska?
The median is $92,490 a year, that works out to about $44 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $81,060, and experienced crane and tower operators can clear $116,480. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $92K enough to live in Alaska?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,121/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,643/month, which eats 26.8% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a crane and tower operators salary go in Alaska?
Alaska has a Regional Price Parity of 104.31 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median crane and tower operators salary is worth about $88,668 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do crane and tower operators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.