Crane and Tower Operators in Illinois
Considering working as a Crane and Tower Operators in Illinois? Below are the key facts. Operate mechanical boom and cable or tower and cable equipment to lift and move materials, machines, or products in many directions.
What do Crane and Tower Operators Make in Illinois?
For crane and tower operators working in Illinois, the median annual wage is $53,240 per year (or roughly $25.60/hour).Annual wages span from $40,150 at the 10th percentile to $137,150 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $40,150 | $19.30 |
| 25th percentile | $44,550 | $21.42 |
| Median (50th) | $53,240 | $25.60 |
| 75th percentile | $97,100 | $46.68 |
| 90th percentile | $137,150 | $65.94 |
The job concentration index in Illinois relative to the national average — is 0.67, indicating fewer crane and tower operators per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, crane and tower operators earn a median of $26,023 per year ($12.51/hour), above the Illinois median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 136,126 crane and tower operators in the U.S.. In Illinois alone, around 1,100 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 570 crane and tower operators.
Top Illinois Metros for Crane and Tower Operators
The metro areas below employ the most crane and tower operators in Illinois.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 1,210 | $57,740 |
| Peoria, IL | 40 | $54,080 |
| Rockford, IL | 40 | $45,750 |
Top States for Crane and Tower Operators Employment
These states have the highest employment of crane and tower operators work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 6,650 |
| Florida | 2,460 |
| Ohio | 2,120 |
| California | 2,010 |
| Georgia | 1,780 |
| Louisiana | 1,750 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,650 |
| Indiana | 1,600 |
| New York | 1,330 |
| Virginia | 1,280 |
| Michigan | 1,210 |
| Alabama | 1,170 |
| Arizona | 1,110 |
| Illinois | 1,100 |
| North Carolina | 1,100 |
| South Carolina | 980 |
| Washington | 890 |
| Kentucky | 770 |
| Mississippi | 770 |
| New Jersey | 740 |
Highest-Paying States for Crane and Tower Operators
These states pay the most for crane and tower operators.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Nevada | $129,930 |
| Hawaii | $115,870 |
| Oregon | $110,280 |
| New York | $110,000 |
| District of Columbia | $106,150 |
| Washington | $96,870 |
| Montana | $91,520 |
| New Jersey | $88,470 |
| Connecticut | $86,830 |
| Alaska | $80,900 |
Skills
Key crane and tower operators skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for crane and tower operators, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Crane and Tower Operators typically:
- Determine load weights and check them against lifting capacities to prevent overload.
- Move levers, depress foot pedals, or turn dials to operate cranes, cherry pickers, electromagnets, or other moving equipment for lifting, moving, or placing loads.
- Inspect and adjust crane mechanisms or lifting accessories to prevent malfunctions or damage.
- Inspect cables or grappling devices for wear and install or replace cables, as needed.
- Direct helpers engaged in placing blocking or outrigging under cranes.
- Clean, lubricate, and maintain mechanisms such as cables, pulleys, or grappling devices, making repairs, as necessary.
- Load or unload bundles from trucks, or move containers to storage bins, using moving equipment.
- Review daily work or delivery schedules to determine orders, sequences of deliveries, or special loading instructions.
- Inspect bundle packaging for conformance to regulations or customer requirements, and remove and batch packaging tickets.
- Direct truck drivers backing vehicles into loading bays and cover, uncover, or secure loads for delivery.
- Weigh bundles, using floor scales, and record weights for company records.
Work Activities
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Getting Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
- Ground Transportation
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Careers similar to crane and tower operators include:
- Construction Laborers
- Pile Driver Operators
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers
- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
- Continuous Mining Machine Operators
Also Known As
Acid Crane Operator, Boom Cat Operator, Boom Crane Operator, Boomswing Operator, Bottom Crane Operator, Bridge Crane Operator, Burial Vault Deliverer and Installer, Cantilever Crane Operator, Cathead Operator, Cell Tower Technician (Cell Tower Tech), Certified Crane Operator, Charging Crane Operator, Cherry Picker Operator, Cinder Dump Crane Operator, Cinder Pit Crane Operator.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 53-7021.00
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.