CDCareer Decision

Crane and Tower Operators Salary in WA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Crane and Tower Operators in WA have a median annual salary of $101,110, with 1,030 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $63,180 at the 10th percentile to $133,550 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$101,110

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$48.61

Employment

1,030

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$63,180
10th
$79,150
25th
$101,110
Median
$124,520
75th
$133,550
90th

Local compared with national

WA

$101,110

Median annual · 2025

United States

$68,080

Median annual · 2025

The WA median is 48.5% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $33,030).

Top skills

  1. 1.Operation and ControlImportance 3.9
  2. 2.Operations MonitoringImportance 3.8
  3. 3.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.3
  4. 4.Active ListeningImportance 3.1
  5. 5.MonitoringImportance 3.1
  6. 6.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.0
  7. 7.SpeakingImportance 3.0
  8. 8.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.0
  9. 9.Time ManagementImportance 3.0
  10. 10.Active LearningImportance 2.9
  11. 11.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 2.9
  12. 12.Equipment MaintenanceImportance 2.9

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Post-Secondary Certificate
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Job zone
3

Technology used

  • Crane operation control software
  • Inventory tracking software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft Windows

Common tasks

  • Move levers, depress foot pedals, or turn dials to operate cranes, cherry pickers, electromagnets, or other moving equipment for lifting, moving, or placing loads.
  • Inspect crane site conditions to determine ground stability.
  • Inspect and adjust crane mechanisms or lifting accessories to prevent malfunctions or damage.
  • Direct helpers engaged in placing blocking or outrigging under cranes.
  • Determine load weights and check them against lifting capacities to prevent overload.
  • Clean, lubricate, and maintain mechanisms such as cables, pulleys, or grappling devices, making repairs, as necessary.
  • Inspect cables or grappling devices for wear and install or replace cables, as needed.
  • Load or unload bundles from trucks, or move containers to storage bins, using moving equipment.
  • Direct truck drivers backing vehicles into loading bays and cover, uncover, or secure loads for delivery.
  • Review daily work or delivery schedules to determine orders, sequences of deliveries, or special loading instructions.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Crane and Tower Operators salary in other locations

Other occupations in WA