Best cities for a crane operator
The best cities for crane operators are Glendale, AZ, Mesa, AZ, and Phoenix, AZ, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for crane operators vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for crane operators in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a crane operator or considering a move, this list of the best cities for crane operators to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for crane operators. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a crane operator. While the absolute best city for crane operators is Glendale, AZ, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for crane operators in 2024.
If you're looking for a crane operator job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for crane operators in 2026
1. Glendale, AZ
Total crane operator jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $60,058 Lowest 10 percent warn: $38,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $92,000 Location quotient: 5.33 2. Mesa, AZ
Total crane operator jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $59,988 Lowest 10 percent warn: $38,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $92,000 Location quotient: 1.56 3. Phoenix, AZ
Total crane operator jobs: 18 Average annual salary: $60,063 Lowest 10 percent warn: $38,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $92,000 Location quotient: 1.06 4. Anaheim, CA
Total crane operator jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $69,205 Lowest 10 percent warn: $45,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $105,000 Location quotient: 1.45 5. Sacramento, CA
Total crane operator jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $74,289 Lowest 10 percent warn: $47,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $116,000 Location quotient: 0.70 6. Tucson, AZ
Total crane operator jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $59,500 Lowest 10 percent warn: $38,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $91,000 Location quotient: 0.97 7. New Orleans, LA
Total crane operator jobs: 12 Average annual salary: $51,742 Lowest 10 percent warn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $82,000 Location quotient: 4.81 8. Fort Wayne, IN
Total crane operator jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $52,464 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $79,000 Location quotient: 1.26 9. Indianapolis, IN
Total crane operator jobs: 13 Average annual salary: $50,434 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $75,000 Location quotient: 1.21 10. Cleveland, OH
Total crane operator jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $46,792 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $72,000 Location quotient: 0.92
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Best cities for crane operators
- Glendale, AZ
- Mesa, AZ
- Phoenix, AZ
- Anaheim, CA
- Sacramento, CA
- Tucson, AZ
- New Orleans, LA
- Fort Wayne, IN
- Indianapolis, IN
- Cleveland, OH
- (4 crane operator jobs)
- (2 crane operator jobs)
- (18 crane operator jobs)
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- (4 crane operator jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a crane operator
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glendale, AZ | $60,058 | $38,000 | 245,895 | 4 |
| 2 | Mesa, AZ | $59,988 | $38,000 | 484,587 | 2 |
| 3 | Phoenix, AZ | $60,063 | $38,000 | 1,615,017 | 18 |
| 4 | Anaheim, CA | $69,205 | $45,000 | 351,043 | 2 |
| 5 | Sacramento, CA | $74,289 | $47,000 | 495,234 | 4 |
| 6 | Tucson, AZ | $59,500 | $38,000 | 530,706 | 3 |
| 7 | New Orleans, LA | $51,742 | $32,000 | 391,495 | 12 |
| 8 | Fort Wayne, IN | $52,464 | $34,000 | 264,488 | 2 |
| 9 | Indianapolis, IN | $50,434 | $33,000 | 855,164 | 13 |
| 10 | Cleveland, OH | $46,792 | $30,000 | 385,809 | 4 |
| 11 | Norfolk, VA | $55,427 | $35,000 | 245,115 | 4 |
| 12 | Chesapeake, VA | $55,222 | $35,000 | 237,940 | 3 |
| 13 | New York, NY | $70,448 | $45,000 | 8,537,673 | 5 |
| 14 | Seattle, WA | $76,189 | $54,000 | 704,352 | 4 |
| 15 | Hempstead, NY | $70,397 | $45,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 16 | Nashville, TN | $45,967 | $30,000 | 660,388 | 5 |
| 17 | San Francisco, CA | $74,589 | $47,000 | 870,887 | 2 |
| 18 | Denver, CO | $57,230 | $39,000 | 693,060 | 20 |
| 19 | Oklahoma City, OK | $48,999 | $31,000 | 638,367 | 4 |
| 20 | Portland, OR | $53,165 | $36,000 | 639,863 | 16 |
| 21 | Oyster Bay, NY | $70,238 | $44,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 22 | Oakland, CA | $74,473 | $47,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 23 | Islip, NY | $70,194 | $44,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 24 | Omaha, NE | $49,420 | $34,000 | 446,970 | 4 |
| 25 | Brookhaven, NY | $69,914 | $44,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 26 | Fremont, CA | $74,120 | $47,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 27 | Scottsdale, AZ | $60,085 | $38,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 28 | Lincoln, NE | $49,277 | $34,000 | 280,364 | 2 |
| 29 | Fort Worth, TX | $48,690 | $30,000 | 854,113 | 3 |
| 30 | Stockton, CA | $74,105 | $47,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 31 | San Jose, CA | $73,841 | $47,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 32 | Reno, NV | $47,562 | $30,000 | 245,255 | 2 |
| 33 | Chandler, AZ | $59,965 | $38,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 34 | Gilbert, AZ | $59,961 | $38,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 35 | San Diego, CA | $68,424 | $44,000 | 1,406,630 | 4 |
| 36 | Houston, TX | $47,795 | $29,000 | 2,303,482 | 23 |
| 37 | Tampa, FL | $47,531 | $29,000 | 377,165 | 18 |
| 38 | Bakersfield, CA | $70,897 | $45,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 39 | Los Angeles, CA | $69,447 | $45,000 | 3,976,322 | 1 |
| 40 | Fresno, CA | $72,420 | $46,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 41 | Buffalo, NY | $68,168 | $44,000 | 256,902 | - |
| 42 | San Antonio, TX | $48,035 | $30,000 | 1,492,510 | 5 |
| 43 | Riverside, CA | $69,209 | $45,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 44 | Madison, WI | $44,969 | $30,000 | 252,551 | 5 |
| 45 | Virginia Beach, VA | $55,531 | $35,000 | 452,602 | 1 |
| 46 | Long Beach, CA | $69,198 | $45,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 47 | Santa Ana, CA | $69,127 | $45,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 48 | Jacksonville, FL | $47,629 | $30,000 | 880,619 | 9 |
| 49 | Irvine, CA | $69,066 | $45,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 50 | Memphis, TN | $46,207 | $29,000 | 652,717 | 1 |
Highest paying cities for crane operators
| Rank | City | Avg. crane operator salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vancouver, WA | $76,648 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $70,448 |
| 3 | San Diego, CA | $68,424 |
| 4 | Phoenix, AZ | $60,063 |
| 5 | Denver, CO | $57,230 |
| 6 | Norfolk, VA | $55,427 |
| 7 | Beaverton, OR | $53,247 |
| 8 | Grand Forks, ND | $52,594 |
| 9 | Baton Rouge, LA | $52,059 |
| 10 | Indianapolis, IN | $50,434 |
| 11 | Washington, DC | $49,233 |
| 12 | Odessa, TX | $49,211 |
| 13 | Sioux Falls, SD | $49,131 |
| 14 | Oklahoma City, OK | $48,999 |
| 15 | Pensacola, FL | $48,886 |
| 16 | Portland, ME | $48,306 |
| 17 | North Charleston, SC | $48,271 |
| 18 | Atlanta, GA | $47,968 |
| 19 | Minneapolis, MN | $47,752 |
| 20 | Raleigh, NC | $47,102 |
Crane operator best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025