Crane and Tower Operators Salary
Crane and Tower Operators in Washington make a median of $101,110 a year, or about $48.61 an hour. The range runs from $63K at the entry level to $134K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $99,118 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 27% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $101K get you in Washington?
About crane and tower operators
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What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for crane and tower operators, local pay runs about 49% higher than the U.S. median of $68K. Rent runs $1,830/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 27.6% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) 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, Washington
Entry-level crane and tower operators (10th percentile) start around $63K. Mid-career wages sit at $101K. Top earners bring in $134K or more, a $70K spread from bottom to top.
Crane and Tower Operators salary by metro in Washington
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kennewick-Richland | $120K | +19% | 40 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | $117K | +16% | 70 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $114K | +13% | 570 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $99K | -2% | 110 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $80K | -21% | 70 |
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a crane and tower operator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $101K, rent takes 27.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for crane and tower operators in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new crane and tower operators typically earn — is $63K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,791/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 48% 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 Washington?
Local pay is 49% above the national median — $101K here vs. $68K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for crane and tower operators?
Washington pays $101K median vs. the U.S. average of $68K — that’s +49%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $99K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do crane and tower operators make in Washington?
The median is $101,110 a year, that works out to about $49 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $63,180, and experienced crane and tower operators can clear $133,550. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $101K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,626/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 27.6% 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 Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (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 $99,118 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.