Crane and Tower Operators Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Crane and Tower Operators in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA make a median of $118,720 a year, or about $57.08 an hour. The range runs from $50K at the entry level to $158K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $107,517 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 47.7% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $119K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About crane and tower operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level crane and tower operators (10th percentile) start around $50K. Mid-career wages sit at $119K.Top earners bring in $158K or more - a $108K spread from bottom to top.
Crane and Tower Operators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | $130K | +96% | N/A |
| Hawaii | $116K | +75% | 220 |
| Oregon | $110K | +66% | 460 |
| New York | $110K | +66% | 1,330 |
| District of Columbia | $106K | +60% | 50 |
| Washington | $97K | +46% | 890 |
| Montana | $92K | +38% | 90 |
| New Jersey | $88K | +33% | 740 |
| Connecticut | $87K | +31% | 260 |
| Alaska | $81K | +22% | 50 |
| Michigan | $77K | +16% | 1,210 |
| Massachusetts | $77K | +15% | 480 |
| Wyoming | $76K | +15% | 120 |
| North Dakota | $75K | +13% | 220 |
| Vermont | $74K | +11% | 120 |
Track crane and tower operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do crane and tower operators make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $118,720 a year - that works out to about $57.08 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $49,650, and experienced crane and tower operators can clear $157,810. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $119K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,060/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 49.3% 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (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 $107,517 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.