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Overhead crane operator salary
Average overhead crane operator salary
$16.73
Understanding Overhead Crane Operator Salaries
The role of an overhead crane operator is crucial in various industries, including construction, manufacturing, and shipping. As of October 2025, the average annual salary for overhead crane operators is around $34,797, translating to approximately $17 per hour. Salaries can differ based on factors such as location, experience, and the specific industry.
Salary Variations by State
Different states offer varying salary ranges for this profession. For instance, states with higher demand for industrial operations often have higher pay rates. Exploring the job market in your area can help identify the best opportunities.Experience Levels
Entry-level positions might start lower, but with experience, operators can see significant increases in their earnings. Those with advanced certifications or who take on supervisory roles often command higher salaries.Career Opportunities
To maximize earning potential, consider pursuing additional training or certifications that can enhance skills and broaden job prospects. Many employers are looking for qualified candidates who can operate equipment safely and efficiently. With the right qualifications, you can find a rewarding career as an overhead crane operator.Let Zippi find your next overhead crane operator job
Let Zippi find your next overhead crane operator job
Where can an Overhead Crane Operator earn more?
Overhead crane operator salaries by experience level
Overhead crane operator salary estimates from across the web
Average overhead crane operator salary by state
The average overhead crane operator salary in Washington, California, and Colorado are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average overhead crane operator salary states are New Hampshire, Delaware, and Michigan.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for overhead crane operators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $39,962 | $19.21 |
| 2 | California | $46,780 | $22.49 |
| 3 | Washington | $52,684 | $25.33 |
| 4 | Utah | $37,958 | $18.25 |
| 5 | North Dakota | $38,810 | $18.66 |
| 6 | Arizona | $39,938 | $19.20 |
| 7 | Indiana | $34,488 | $16.58 |
| 8 | Colorado | $41,458 | $19.93 |
| 9 | Hawaii | $38,079 | $18.31 |
| 10 | Iowa | $33,896 | $16.30 |
| 11 | Nebraska | $35,403 | $17.02 |
| 12 | New York | $40,248 | $19.35 |
| 13 | Mississippi | $32,910 | $15.82 |
| 14 | Minnesota | $34,088 | $16.39 |
| 15 | West Virginia | $36,714 | $17.65 |
| 16 | New Jersey | $34,053 | $16.37 |
| 17 | South Dakota | $35,585 | $17.11 |
| 18 | Montana | $36,726 | $17.66 |
| 19 | Oregon | $36,283 | $17.44 |
| 20 | North Carolina | $32,856 | $15.80 |
| 21 | Louisiana | $33,753 | $16.23 |
| 22 | Idaho | $34,098 | $16.39 |
| 23 | Arkansas | $32,581 | $15.66 |
| 24 | South Carolina | $32,507 | $15.63 |
| 25 | Wyoming | $33,998 | $16.35 |
| 26 | Tennessee | $31,436 | $15.11 |
| 27 | Georgia | $32,173 | $15.47 |
| 28 | Oklahoma | $33,400 | $16.06 |
| 29 | Maine | $32,243 | $15.50 |
| 30 | Ohio | $31,828 | $15.30 |
| 31 | Wisconsin | $31,114 | $14.96 |
| 32 | Texas | $31,474 | $15.13 |
| 33 | Pennsylvania | $30,324 | $14.58 |
| 34 | Virginia | $33,159 | $15.94 |
| 35 | Florida | $31,358 | $15.08 |
| 36 | Rhode Island | $29,455 | $14.16 |
| 37 | Alabama | $29,864 | $14.36 |
| 38 | Maryland | $32,631 | $15.69 |
| 39 | Missouri | $30,440 | $14.63 |
| 40 | Massachusetts | $29,406 | $14.14 |
| 41 | New Mexico | $31,788 | $15.28 |
| 42 | District of Columbia | $28,876 | $13.88 |
| 43 | Nevada | $30,370 | $14.60 |
| 44 | New Hampshire | $29,400 | $14.13 |
| 45 | Illinois | $27,218 | $13.09 |
| 46 | Kentucky | $26,121 | $12.56 |
| 47 | Michigan | $28,743 | $13.82 |
| 48 | Vermont | $29,467 | $14.17 |
| 49 | Connecticut | $29,483 | $14.17 |
| 50 | Kansas | $26,762 | $12.87 |
| 51 | Delaware | $29,115 | $14.00 |
Highest paying cities for overhead crane operators
The highest-paying cities for overhead crane operators are Rome, NY, Gary, IN, and Sioux City, IA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rome, NY | $40,493 | $19.47 |
| 2 | Gary, IN | $34,928 | $16.79 |
| 3 | Sioux City, IA | $34,220 | $16.45 |
| 4 | Petersburg, VA | $33,058 | $15.89 |
| 5 | Charlotte, NC | $32,748 | $15.74 |
| 6 | Brunswick, OH | $32,095 | $15.43 |
| 7 | Fort Worth, TX | $31,588 | $15.19 |
| 8 | Smyrna, TN | $31,484 | $15.14 |
| 9 | Tampa, FL | $31,327 | $15.06 |
| 10 | Saint Louis, MO | $30,383 | $14.61 |
| 11 | Pittsburgh, PA | $30,151 | $14.50 |
| 12 | Birmingham, AL | $29,957 | $14.40 |
| 13 | Detroit, MI | $28,684 | $13.79 |
| 14 | Wheeling, IL | $27,293 | $13.12 |
| 15 | Wichita, KS | $26,696 | $12.83 |
Overhead crane operator salary details
An overhead crane operator's salary ranges from $29,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $41,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an overhead crane operator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
| 75th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
| Average | $34,797 | $2,900 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,000 | $2,583 | $15 |
| 10th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
Highest paying overhead crane operator jobs
The highest paying types of overhead crane operators are crane operator, marine tower operator, and bridge crane operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | $32,452 | $2,704 | $15.60 | 120,073 |
| Mill Operator | $39,045 | $3,254 | $18.77 | 64,574 |
| Lift Operator | $32,309 | $2,692 | $15.53 | 72,445 |
| Forklift Operator | $34,213 | $2,851 | $16.45 | 213,020 |
| Operator | $37,928 | $3,161 | $18.23 | 159,077 |
| Crane Operator | $54,275 | $4,523 | $26.09 | 34,918 |
Top companies hiring overhead crane operators now:
Which companies pay overhead crane operators the most?
Overhead crane operator salaries at Olympic Steel and Harsco are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average overhead crane operator salary at companies like Metals USA and Lockheed Martin are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Olympic Steel | $40,969 | $19.70 |
| 2 | Harsco | $40,148 | $19.30 |
| 3 | Metals USA | $40,015 | $19.24 |
| 4 | Lockheed Martin | $39,421 | $18.95 |
| 5 | Harrison Steel | $37,874 | $18.21 |
| 6 | Spirit AeroSystems | $37,571 | $18.06 |
| 7 | CMC Motocross | $37,269 | $17.92 |
| 8 | MSI | $37,249 | $17.91 |
| 9 | Systems | $36,761 | $17.67 |
| 10 | GRENEKER Mannequins | $34,840 | $16.75 |
| 11 | NCW | $34,710 | $16.69 |
| 12 | Ben Hur Moving & Storage | $34,578 | $16.62 |
| 13 | AGS | $34,211 | $16.45 |
| 14 | The Advance Group | $33,522 | $16.12 |
| 15 | Area Temps | $33,181 | $15.95 |
| 16 | Staffmark | $33,136 | $15.93 |
| 17 | Express Employment Indy South | $33,036 | $15.88 |
| 18 | Total Staffing Solutions | $32,996 | $15.86 |
| 19 | The Reserves Network | $32,989 | $15.86 |
| 20 | Aerotek | $32,953 | $15.84 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Overhead Crane Operator salary by industry
The average overhead crane operator salary varies across industries:
- The average overhead crane operator salary in the hospitality industry is $38,436, the highest of any industry.
- The average overhead crane operator salary in the finance industry is $37,729.
- Overhead crane operators in the construction industry earn an average salary of $35,903, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for overhead crane operators
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hospitality | $38,436 | $18.48 |
| 2 | Manufacturing | $37,729 | $18.14 |
| 3 | Energy | $36,623 | $17.61 |
| 4 | Construction | $35,903 | $17.26 |
High paying overhead crane operator jobs
Overhead crane operator salary trends
The average overhead crane operator salary has risen by $7,722 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average overhead crane operator earned $27,075 annually, but today, they earn $34,797 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for overhead crane operators over the last decade.
Compare overhead crane operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average overhead crane operator salary over time
Compare overhead crane operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Overhead crane operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $34,800 | $16.73 | +5.1% |
| 2024 | $33,000 | $15.88 | +4.5% |
| 2023 | $31,600 | $15.17 | +3.6% |
| 2022 | $30,400 | $14.63 | +0.1% |
| 2021 | $30,400 | $14.62 | +1.0% |
Recently added overhead crane operator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerotek | Overhead Crane Operator/Metal Laborer | Kansas City, MO | 06/27/2025 | $41,740 |
| Enviri Corporation | Overhead Crane Operator | Muscatine, IA | 06/26/2025 | $56,078 |
| Aerotek | Overhead Crane Operator | Fairfield, OH | 06/25/2025 | $41,740 |
| Selectemp | Overhead Crane Operator Day Shift HR 826487 | Eugene, OR | 06/24/2025 | $37,566 |
| Drake-Williams Steel | Overhead Crane Operator Day Shift | Omaha, NE | 06/20/2025 | $60,000 |
| Cardinal Staffing Services | Overhead Crane Operator | Canton, MI | 06/16/2025 | $37,566 |
| Virtual Integration Personnel | Warehouse Overhead Crane Operator | Taylors, SC | 06/12/2025 | $35,479 |
| Impact Staffing | Overhead Crane Operator | Tucker, GA | 06/11/2025 | $39,653 |
| Seaport Steel Company | Material Handler/Overhead Crane Operator-Swing Shift | Seattle, WA | 06/07/2025 | $43,827 |
| Integrative Staffing Group, LLC | Overhead Crane Operator | Austintown, OH | 06/05/2025 | $41,740 |
Overhead crane operator salary FAQs
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