Crane and Tower Operators pay in California
Crane and Tower Operators in California earn an average of $87,030 a year. That is $14,900 (21%) more than the U.S. average of $72,130. The best-paying metro area is San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $104,910.
Top-paying California metro areas
Average pay for crane and tower operators by metro area. Swipe to see all 10.
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Crane and Tower Operators pay in California, charted
Pay over time
Where California crane and tower operators work
Average pay by state
California vs. neighbors
| Area | Avg. pay | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $72,130 | $34.68 |
| California | $87,030 | $41.84 |
| Nevada | $108,410 | $52.12 |
| Oregon | $91,780 | $44.13 |
| Arizona | $70,260 | $33.78 |
Related jobs in California
Average pay, California, May 2025
Questions and answers
How much do crane and tower operators make in California?
The average is $87,030 a year, and the median is $79,570. That is $14,900 (21%) more than the U.S. average of $72,130.
What is the hourly wage in California?
$41.84 an hour on average; the median is $38.25.
Where in California do they earn the most?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ($104,910), followed by Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($94,960). The lowest average among 10 metro areas with data is Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA ($69,400).
How does California rank?
California ranks #10 of 50 states (including D.C.) with published data for this job, by average pay.