Hoist and Winch Operators Salary
In Minnesota, hoist and winch operators earn $78,400 at the median, or about $37.69 an hour. The range runs from $51K at the entry level to $78K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.6), which stretches that salary to about $84,665 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,384/month, or 27% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Minnesota. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $78K get you in Minnesota?
About hoist and winch operators
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What this looks like in Minnesota
Minnesota sits well above the national pay line for hoist and winch operators, local pay runs about 39% higher than the U.S. median of $56K. Rent runs $1,384/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 27.8% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.6 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Minnesota
Entry-level hoist and winch operators (10th percentile) start around $51K. Mid-career wages sit at $78K. Top earners bring in $78K or more, a $27K spread from bottom to top.
Hoist and Winch Operators salary by metro in Minnesota
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | $78K | +0% | 60 |
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Frequently asked questions
Can a hoist and winch operator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Minnesota?
Yes — at the median salary of $78K, rent takes 27.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,384/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for hoist and winch operators in Minnesota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new hoist and winch operators typically earn — is $51K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,062/month. At HUD’s $1,384/month FMR, rent would take 45% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is hoist and winch operator a high-paying job in Minnesota?
Local pay is 39% above the national median — $78K here vs. $56K nationally.
How does Minnesota compare to the national average for hoist and winch operators?
Minnesota pays $78K median vs. the U.S. average of $56K — that’s +39%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.6), the purchasing-power equivalent is $85K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do hoist and winch operators make in Minnesota?
The median is $78,400 a year, that works out to about $38 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $51,040, and experienced hoist and winch operators can clear $78,400. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $78K enough to live in Minnesota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,970/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,384/month, which eats 27.8% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a hoist and winch operators salary go in Minnesota?
Minnesota has a Regional Price Parity of 92.6 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median hoist and winch operators salary is worth about $84,665 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do hoist and winch 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.