Crane Operator Salary by City (2026)

Operate heavy lifting equipment for steel erection, mechanical placement, and prefabricated assemblies. Browse annual base / typical-earnings estimates across 207 data center markets — sorted by highest median pay.

Crane Operator Salary by City (2026)

Compare localized base-pay ranges, median typical earnings, and demand levels in top U.S. data center markets.

Base-pay note: These city ranges are annual base / typical-earnings estimates. Travel per diem, overtime schedules, and 1099 contractor rates can push real total compensation 20%–60% higher on data center builds.

$103,000 – $187,000median $145,000

Ashburn, VAExtreme

$95,000 – $172,000median $134,000

New York, NYExtreme

$94,000 – $170,000median $132,000

Santa Clara, CAExtreme

$93,000 – $169,000median $131,000

Loudoun County, VAExtreme

$93,000 – $169,000median $131,000

Phoenix, AZExtreme

$92,000 – $166,000median $129,000

Sterling, VAExtreme

$92,000 – $166,000median $129,000

Manassas, VAExtreme

$90,000 – $163,000median $127,000

Washington, DCExtreme

$90,000 – $162,000median $126,000

New Albany, OHExtreme

$86,000 – $155,000median $121,000

Los Angeles, CAExtreme

$85,000 – $153,000median $119,000

Mesa, AZExtreme

$84,000 – $152,000median $118,000

Boston, MAExtreme

$84,000 – $152,000median $118,000

Seattle, WAExtreme

$84,000 – $152,000median $118,000

Newark, NJExtreme

$83,000 – $151,000median $117,000

Chandler, AZExtreme

$82,000 – $148,000median $115,000

Irvine, CAExtreme

$82,000 – $148,000median $115,000

Jersey City, NJVery High

$82,000 – $148,000median $115,000

Oakland, CAVery High

$81,000 – $146,000median $114,000

Miami, FLExtreme

$81,000 – $147,000median $114,000

Chicago, ILExtreme

$81,000 – $147,000median $114,000

Dallas, TXExtreme

$81,000 – $147,000median $114,000

Bellevue, WAVery High

$81,000 – $146,000median $114,000

Quincy, WAExtreme

$81,000 – $147,000median $114,000

Atlanta, GAExtreme

$80,000 – $145,000median $113,000

Honolulu, HIHigh

$80,000 – $145,000median $113,000

Port Washington, WIExtreme

$80,000 – $145,000median $113,000

Goodyear, AZExtreme

$80,000 – $144,000median $112,000

Hillsboro, ORExtreme

$80,000 – $144,000median $112,000

San Diego, CAVery High

$79,000 – $143,000median $111,000

Columbus, OHExtreme

$79,000 – $143,000median $111,000

Plano, TXExtreme

$79,000 – $143,000median $111,000

Stamford, CTVery High

$78,000 – $141,000median $110,000

Secaucus, NJVery High

$78,000 – $141,000median $110,000

Weehawken, NJHigh

$78,000 – $141,000median $110,000

White Plains, NYHigh

$78,000 – $141,000median $110,000

Carrollton, TXExtreme

$78,000 – $141,000median $110,000

St. Francisville, LAExtreme

$77,000 – $140,000median $109,000

Bridgewater, NJVery High

$77,000 – $140,000median $109,000

Scottsdale, AZVery High

$77,000 – $138,000median $108,000

Boulder, COVery High

$77,000 – $138,000median $108,000

Princeton, NJHigh

$77,000 – $139,000median $108,000

Philadelphia, PAVery High

$77,000 – $138,000median $108,000

Tempe, AZVery High

$76,000 – $137,000median $107,000

Sacramento, CAExtreme

$76,000 – $137,000median $107,000

Council Bluffs, IAExtreme

$76,000 – $137,000median $107,000

Yonkers, NYHigh

$76,000 – $137,000median $107,000

Lithia Springs, GAExtreme

$75,000 – $136,000median $106,000

Piscataway, NJVery High

$75,000 – $136,000median $106,000

Fort Lauderdale, FLVery High

$75,000 – $135,000median $105,000

Lancaster County, PAExtreme

$75,000 – $135,000median $105,000

Mount Pleasant, WIExtreme

$75,000 – $135,000median $105,000

Denver, COVery High

$74,000 – $133,000median $104,000

Baltimore, MDVery High

$74,000 – $133,000median $104,000

Austin, TXVery High

$74,000 – $133,000median $104,000

West Palm Beach, FLVery High

$73,000 – $132,000median $103,000

Naperville, ILVery High

$73,000 – $132,000median $103,000

Minneapolis, MNVery High

$73,000 – $132,000median $103,000

Frederick, MDVery High

$73,000 – $131,000median $102,000

Reno, NVExtreme

$73,000 – $131,000median $102,000

The Dalles, ORExtreme

$73,000 – $131,000median $102,000

Fort Worth, TXVery High

$73,000 – $131,000median $102,000

Anchorage, AKHigh

$72,000 – $129,000median $101,000

St. Paul, MNVery High

$72,000 – $130,000median $101,000

Charlotte, NCVery High

$72,000 – $130,000median $101,000

Prineville, ORExtreme

$72,000 – $130,000median $101,000

Houston, TXVery High

$72,000 – $130,000median $101,000

Round Rock, TXVery High

$72,000 – $130,000median $101,000

Lehi, UTVery High

$72,000 – $130,000median $101,000

Salt Lake City, UTVery High

$72,000 – $130,000median $101,000

Elk Grove Village, ILVery High

$71,000 – $128,000median $100,000

Worcester, MAVery High

$71,000 – $128,000median $100,000

Papillion, NEExtreme

$71,000 – $128,000median $100,000

Durham, NCVery High

$71,000 – $128,000median $100,000

Maiden, NCExtreme

$71,000 – $128,000median $100,000

Arlington, TXVery High

$71,000 – $128,000median $100,000

Richmond, VAVery High

$71,000 – $128,000median $100,000

Aurora, ILVery High

$70,000 – $127,000median $99,000

Indianapolis, INExtreme

$70,000 – $127,000median $99,000

Las Vegas, NVVery High

$70,000 – $127,000median $99,000

Trenton, NJHigh

$70,000 – $127,000median $99,000

Raleigh, NCVery High

$70,000 – $127,000median $99,000

Hilliard, OHVery High

$70,000 – $127,000median $99,000

Portland, ORVery High

$70,000 – $127,000median $99,000

Gaffney, SCExtreme

$70,000 – $127,000median $99,000

Henrico, VAVery High

$70,000 – $127,000median $99,000

Tacoma, WAVery High

$70,000 – $127,000median $99,000

Hartford, CTHigh

$70,000 – $126,000median $98,000

Tampa, FLVery High

$70,000 – $126,000median $98,000

San Antonio, TXVery High

$70,000 – $126,000median $98,000

Chesterfield, VAVery High

$70,000 – $126,000median $98,000

Milwaukee, WIVery High

$70,000 – $126,000median $98,000

Huntsville, ALVery High

$69,000 – $125,000median $97,000

Jacksonville, FLExtreme

$69,000 – $124,000median $97,000

Orlando, FLVery High

$69,000 – $125,000median $97,000

Des Moines, IAVery High

$69,000 – $125,000median $97,000

Henderson, NVVery High

$69,000 – $125,000median $97,000

Pittsburgh, PAVery High

$69,000 – $125,000median $97,000

Nashville, TNVery High

$69,000 – $125,000median $97,000

Wenatchee, WAVery High

$69,000 – $125,000median $97,000

Colorado Springs, COVery High

$68,000 – $124,000median $96,000

Fort Collins, COHigh

$68,000 – $123,000median $96,000

New Haven, CTHigh

$68,000 – $123,000median $96,000

Wilmington, DEHigh

$68,000 – $123,000median $96,000

Boise, IDVery High

$68,000 – $124,000median $96,000

Detroit, MIVery High

$68,000 – $124,000median $96,000

Cincinnati, OHVery High

$68,000 – $124,000median $96,000

Providence, RIHigh

$68,000 – $123,000median $96,000

Wauwatosa, WIHigh

$68,000 – $123,000median $96,000

Stockton, CAHigh

$68,000 – $122,000median $95,000

New Orleans, LAVery High

$68,000 – $122,000median $95,000

Meridian, MSExtreme

$67,000 – $122,000median $95,000

St. Louis, MOVery High

$68,000 – $122,000median $95,000

Omaha, NEVery High

$68,000 – $122,000median $95,000

Albuquerque, NMVery High

$68,000 – $122,000median $95,000

Albany, NYHigh

$68,000 – $122,000median $95,000

Charleston, SCVery High

$68,000 – $122,000median $95,000

Virginia Beach, VAHigh

$68,000 – $122,000median $95,000

Savannah, GAVery High

$67,000 – $121,000median $94,000

Social Circle, GAVery High

$67,000 – $121,000median $94,000

Louisville, KYVery High

$67,000 – $121,000median $94,000

Springfield, MAHigh

$67,000 – $121,000median $94,000

Kansas City, MOVery High

$67,000 – $121,000median $94,000

Santa Fe, NMHigh

$67,000 – $121,000median $94,000

Cleveland, OHVery High

$67,000 – $121,000median $94,000

North Charleston, SCVery High

$67,000 – $121,000median $94,000

Chattanooga, TNVery High

$67,000 – $121,000median $94,000

Norfolk, VAHigh

$67,000 – $121,000median $94,000

Madison, WIHigh

$67,000 – $121,000median $94,000

Birmingham, ALVery High

$66,000 – $119,000median $93,000

Tucson, AZHigh

$66,000 – $119,000median $93,000

St. Petersburg, FLHigh

$66,000 – $120,000median $93,000

Joliet, ILHigh

$66,000 – $120,000median $93,000

Kansas City, KSVery High

$66,000 – $120,000median $93,000

Baton Rouge, LAVery High

$66,000 – $119,000median $93,000

Rochester, MNHigh

$66,000 – $119,000median $93,000

Wilmington, NCHigh

$66,000 – $119,000median $93,000

Allentown, PAHigh

$66,000 – $120,000median $93,000

Memphis, TNVery High

$66,000 – $120,000median $93,000

Oak Ridge, TNHigh

$66,000 – $119,000median $93,000

Provo, UTHigh

$66,000 – $120,000median $93,000

Winchester, VAHigh

$66,000 – $119,000median $93,000

Fresno, CAHigh

$65,000 – $117,000median $91,000

Meridian, IDHigh

$65,000 – $117,000median $91,000

Sterling Heights, MIHigh

$65,000 – $117,000median $91,000

Rochester, NYHigh

$65,000 – $117,000median $91,000

Oklahoma City, OKVery High

$65,000 – $117,000median $91,000

Eugene, ORHigh

$65,000 – $117,000median $91,000

Harrisburg, PAHigh

$65,000 – $117,000median $91,000

Spokane, WAHigh

$65,000 – $117,000median $91,000

Kenosha, WIHigh

$65,000 – $117,000median $91,000

Bakersfield, CAHigh

$64,000 – $116,000median $90,000

Augusta, GAHigh

$64,000 – $116,000median $90,000

Cedar Rapids, IAHigh

$64,000 – $115,000median $90,000

Iowa City, IAHigh

$64,000 – $116,000median $90,000

Olathe, KSHigh

$64,000 – $115,000median $90,000

Hagerstown, MDHigh

$64,000 – $115,000median $90,000

Grand Rapids, MIHigh

$64,000 – $115,000median $90,000

Buffalo, NYHigh

$64,000 – $116,000median $90,000

Syracuse, NYHigh

$64,000 – $115,000median $90,000

Greensboro, NCHigh

$64,000 – $115,000median $90,000

Winston-Salem, NCHigh

$64,000 – $116,000median $90,000

Knoxville, TNHigh

$64,000 – $115,000median $90,000

Little Rock, ARHigh

$63,000 – $114,000median $89,000

Tallahassee, FLHigh

$63,000 – $114,000median $89,000

Peoria, ILHigh

$63,000 – $114,000median $89,000

Lafayette, INHigh

$63,000 – $114,000median $89,000

Lexington, KYHigh

$63,000 – $114,000median $89,000

Columbia, MOHigh

$63,000 – $114,000median $89,000

Springfield, MOVery High

$63,000 – $114,000median $89,000

Ralston, NEHigh

$63,000 – $114,000median $89,000

Dayton, OHHigh

$63,000 – $114,000median $89,000

Greenville, SCHigh

$63,000 – $114,000median $89,000

Midland, TXHigh

$63,000 – $114,000median $89,000

Mobile, ALHigh

$62,000 – $113,000median $88,000

Fayetteville, ARHigh

$62,000 – $113,000median $88,000

Columbus, GAHigh

$62,000 – $113,000median $88,000

Idaho Falls, IDHigh

$62,000 – $113,000median $88,000

Rockford, ILHigh

$62,000 – $113,000median $88,000

South Bend, INHigh

$62,000 – $113,000median $88,000

Lansing, MIHigh

$62,000 – $113,000median $88,000

Lincoln, NEHigh

$62,000 – $113,000median $88,000

Norman, OKHigh

$62,000 – $113,000median $88,000

Scranton, PAHigh

$62,000 – $113,000median $88,000

Columbia, SCHigh

$62,000 – $113,000median $88,000

Sioux Falls, SDHigh

$62,000 – $113,000median $88,000

Temple, TXHigh

$62,000 – $113,000median $88,000

Macon, GAHigh

$62,000 – $111,000median $87,000

Fort Wayne, INHigh

$62,000 – $111,000median $87,000

Davenport, IAHigh

$62,000 – $111,000median $87,000

Wichita, KSHigh

$62,000 – $111,000median $87,000

Shreveport, LAVery High

$62,000 – $111,000median $87,000

Jackson, MSVery High

$62,000 – $111,000median $87,000

Gulfport, MSVery High

$62,000 – $111,000median $87,000

Independence, MOHigh

$62,000 – $111,000median $87,000

Missoula, MTHigh

$62,000 – $111,000median $87,000

Fargo, NDHigh

$62,000 – $111,000median $87,000

Toledo, OHHigh

$62,000 – $111,000median $87,000

Tulsa, OKHigh

$62,000 – $111,000median $87,000

El Paso, TXHigh

$62,000 – $111,000median $87,000

Montgomery, ALHigh

$61,000 – $110,000median $86,000

Evansville, INHigh

$61,000 – $110,000median $86,000

Waterloo, IAHigh

$61,000 – $110,000median $86,000

Youngstown, OHHigh

$61,000 – $110,000median $86,000

Cheyenne, WYHigh

$61,000 – $110,000median $86,000

Owensboro, KYHigh

$60,000 – $109,000median $85,000

Billings, MTHigh

$60,000 – $109,000median $85,000

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