Crane and Tower Operators pay range in Lincoln
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $49,380 a year or less, while the top 10% make $100,660 or more. The middle half of crane and tower operators in Lincoln earn between $69,920 and $77,510.
- $49K10th
- $70K25th
- $78KMedian
- $78K75th
- $101K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $75,610 | $6,301 | $36.35 |
| Median | $77,500 | $6,458 | $37.26 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $69,920 | $5,827 | $33.62 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $77,510 | $6,459 | $37.26 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Crane and Tower Operators pay in Lincoln vs. Nebraska and the U.S.
Crane and tower operators in Lincoln earn 23% more than the Nebraska average ($61,510) and 5% more than the U.S. average ($72,130). At the median the gap is +14% against the U.S. median of $68,080.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $75,610 | $77,500 | $49,380 | $100,660 | 100 |
| Nebraska | $61,510 | $60,720 | $36,140 | $82,410 | 410 |
| United States | $72,130 | $68,080 | $42,640 | $103,570 | 42,890 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Crane and Tower Operators salary after taxes in Lincoln
On the average salary of $75,610, a single filer in Lincoln takes home about $59,461 a year, or $4,955 a month and $2,287 every two weeks. Taxes take 21% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Lincoln a good place for crane and tower operators? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Lincoln area are 8% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 91.6), so the average $75,610 buys what about $82,561 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Lincoln ($49,800). A typical home costs $304,242, or 4.0 years of this average salary before tax.
Crane and Tower Operators salary in other Nebraska cities
Lincoln ranks 1st of 2 Nebraska metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Lincoln$75,610
- Omaha$66,250
Highest-paying cities for crane and tower operators
Honolulu, HI pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($118,530).
- Honolulu, HI$118,530
- New York, NY$116,710
- Las Vegas, NV$115,300
- Kennewick, WA$111,710
- Buffalo, NY$109,610
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Crane and Tower Operators salary in Lincoln: questions
How much do crane and tower operators make an hour in Lincoln?
$36.35 an hour on average, and $37.26 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level crane and tower operators salary in Lincoln?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $49,380 a year and the 25th percentile is $69,920, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the crane and tower operators take-home pay in Lincoln?
About $59,461 a year ($4,955 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $75,610.
Do crane and tower operators earn more in Lincoln than elsewhere?
The average here is 5% more than the U.S. average for this job ($72,130).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 53-7021; area Lincoln, NE (30700). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.3%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.90, this job is 1.9 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.