Crane and Tower Operators Salary in North Carolina
Crane and Tower Operators in North Carolina make a median of $62,060 a year, or about $29.84 an hour. The range runs from $42K at the entry level to $83K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Carolina. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $62K get you in North Carolina?
About crane and tower operators
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, North Carolina
Entry-level crane and tower operators (10th percentile) start around $42K. Mid-career wages sit at $62K. Top earners bring in $83K or more, a $40K spread from bottom to top.
Crane and Tower Operators salary by metro in North Carolina
6 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary | $79K | +28% | 180 |
| Wilmington | $76K | +22% | 80 |
| Winston-Salem | $64K | +3% | 90 |
| Rocky Mount | $62K | +1% | 40 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $59K | -5% | 340 |
| Greensboro-High Point | $59K | -5% | 90 |
Compare to other states
Track crane and tower operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Carolina numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do crane and tower operators make in North Carolina?
The median is $62,060 a year, that works out to about $30 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $42,340, and experienced crane and tower operators can clear $82,790. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $62K enough to live in North Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,093/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,284/month, which eats 31.4% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a crane and tower operators salary go in North Carolina?
North Carolina has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median crane and tower operators salary is worth about $66,976 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.