How Much Money Do Crane Operators Make?
A crane operator is a worker who is licensed to operate a vehicle used for lifting heavy objects. The overall average salary for crane operators in May 2008 was $45,430, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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Work Experience
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With one to four years of work experience, crane operators averaged hourly wages of between $15.71 and $24.71, while those with 20 years or more experience earned between $22.49 and $33.33, according to October 2009 reporting on payscale.com. Based on a 40-hour work week, that amounts to annual salaries of between $32,676 and $51,396 and $46,779 and $69,326, respectively.
Industry
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Heavy civil construction was the highest-paying industry for crane operators in October 2009 with maximum hourly rates of $28.49, according to payscale.com. The lowest-paying industry was steel-making, in which operators earned maximums of only $18.43 per hour.
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Employer Type
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In October 2009, private firms paid higher wages than publicly traded companies at average maximum hourly rates of $29.48 and $27.07, respectively, according to payscale.com.
Geography
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In May 2008, Alaska was home to the highest-earning crane operators with average annual salaries of $74,260, according to the BLS. Other states where crane operators enjoyed high pay were Nevada, Hawaii, Washington and New York.
Benefits
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Crane operators frequently receive benefits that increase their overall compensation, including 401k retirement plans, paid holidays and sick leave, life or disability insurance, company cell phones, education reimbursements and between 1 and 1.6 weeks of paid vacation, according to payscale.com.
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