Crane and Tower Operators Salary
Crane and Tower Operators in Oregon make a median of $83,260 a year, or about $40.03 an hour. The range runs from $50K at the entry level to $132K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.44), that's roughly $81,277 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,555/month, or 29.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Oregon. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $83K get you in Oregon?
About crane and tower operators
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What this looks like in Oregon
Oregon sits well above the national pay line for crane and tower operators, local pay runs about 22% higher than the U.S. median of $68K. Rent runs $1,555/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 31% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.44) 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, Oregon
Entry-level crane and tower operators (10th percentile) start around $50K. Mid-career wages sit at $83K. Top earners bring in $132K or more, a $83K spread from bottom to top.
Crane and Tower Operators salary by metro in Oregon
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | $80K | -4% | 210 |
| Eugene-Springfield | $68K | -18% | 40 |
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Oregon numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a crane and tower operator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Oregon?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $83K, rent takes 31% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,555/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,500/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for crane and tower operators in Oregon?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new crane and tower operators typically earn — is $50K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,987/month. At HUD’s $1,555/month FMR, rent would take 52% 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 Oregon?
Local pay is 22% above the national median — $83K here vs. $68K nationally.
How does Oregon compare to the national average for crane and tower operators?
Oregon pays $83K median vs. the U.S. average of $68K — that’s +22%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.44), the purchasing-power equivalent is $81K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do crane and tower operators make in Oregon?
The median is $83,260 a year, that works out to about $40 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $49,780, and experienced crane and tower operators can clear $132,400. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $83K enough to live in Oregon?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,017/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,555/month, which eats 31% 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 Oregon?
Oregon has a Regional Price Parity of 102.44 (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 $81,277 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.