Crane and Tower Operators pay range in Wilmington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $56,670 a year or less, while the top 10% make $85,870 or more. The middle half of crane and tower operators in Wilmington earn between $59,220 and $77,670.
- $57K10th
- $59K25th
- $69KMedian
- $78K75th
- $86K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $69,620 | $5,802 | $33.47 |
| Median | $68,670 | $5,722 | $33.01 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $59,220 | $4,935 | $28.47 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $77,670 | $6,472 | $37.34 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Crane and Tower Operators pay in Wilmington vs. North Carolina and the U.S.
Crane and tower operators in Wilmington earn 6% more than the North Carolina average ($65,620) and 3% less than the U.S. average ($72,130). At the median the gap is +1% against the U.S. median of $68,080.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $69,620 | $68,670 | $56,670 | $85,870 | 60 |
| North Carolina | $65,620 | $64,480 | $46,530 | $82,730 | 1,050 |
| 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 Wilmington
On the average salary of $69,620, a single filer in Wilmington takes home about $55,539 a year, or $4,628 a month and $2,136 every two weeks. Taxes take 20% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Wilmington a good place for crane and tower operators? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Wilmington area are 4% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 96.4), so the average $69,620 buys what about $72,203 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.5 times the median wage of all jobs in Wilmington ($45,800). A typical home costs $446,210, or 6.4 years of this average salary before tax.
Crane and Tower Operators salary in other North Carolina cities
Wilmington ranks 4th of 7 North Carolina metro areas for this job; Raleigh pays the most ($72,700).
- Raleigh$72,700
- Rocky Mount$72,270
- Durham$70,350
- Wilmington$69,620
- Winston-Salem$64,990
- Charlotte$64,610
- Greensboro$64,280
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
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Crane and Tower Operators salary in Wilmington: questions
How much do crane and tower operators make an hour in Wilmington?
$33.47 an hour on average, and $33.02 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level crane and tower operators salary in Wilmington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $56,670 a year and the 25th percentile is $59,220, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the crane and tower operators take-home pay in Wilmington?
About $55,539 a year ($4,628 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $69,620.
Do crane and tower operators earn more in Wilmington than elsewhere?
The average here is 3% less 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 Wilmington, NC (48900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.7%.
- 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 1.09, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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