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Hydraulic Crane Operator Salary in the United States

How much does a Hydraulic Crane Operator make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Hydraulic Crane Operator in the United States is $47,270 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.

However, a Hydraulic Crane Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $59,284
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $43,468 to $53,559
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $40,006
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Hydraulic Crane Operator Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Hydraulic Crane Operator Salaries

A Hydraulic Crane Operator's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Hydraulic Crane Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Hydraulic Crane Operator's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $44,688
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $44,841
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $45,960
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $47,881
  • Expert (over 8 years): $48,143
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Hydraulic Crane Operator less than 1 year $44,688
Early Career Level Hydraulic Crane Operator 1-2 years $44,841
Mid-Level Level Hydraulic Crane Operator 2-4 years $45,960
Senior-Level Level Hydraulic Crane Operator 5-8 years $47,881
Expert Level Hydraulic Crane Operator over 8 years $48,143

How Do Hydraulic Crane Operator Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Hydraulic Crane Operators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $52,337.
  • California: $52,138.
  • Massachusetts: $51,444.

Top Paying Cities for Hydraulic Crane Operator

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $59,621
  • San Francisco: $58,968
  • Oakland: $57,726

Hydraulic Crane Operator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Hydraulic Crane Operator roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Business Services, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Hydraulic Crane Operator positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Hydraulic Crane Operator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Hydraulic Crane Operator

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Business Services $56,724 $27.0 20%

How Education impacts a Hydraulic Crane Operator's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Hydraulic Crane Operator professionals enter the field with a high school degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Hydraulic Crane Operator with a high school is between $37,534 and $39,388.

Hydraulic Crane Operator Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Hydraulic Crane Operator
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 66.7%
High School 66.7%
Associate's Degree 0%
Bachelor's Degree 33.3%
Master's Degree or MBA 0%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0%
View as Graph

Hydraulic Crane Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Hydraulic Crane Operator's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$43,468
Average $47,270/year
$53,559
$3,622
Average $3,939/month
$4,463
$836
Average $909/week
$1,030
$21
Average $23/hour
$26
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $53,559 $4,463 $1,030 $26
Average $47,270 $3,939 $909 $23
25th Percentile $43,468 $3,622 $836 $21

Most common benefits for Hydraulic Crane Operator

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Hydraulic Crane Operator

Here are companies hiring for Hydraulic Crane Operator and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Hydraulic Crane Operator Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Hydraulic Crane Operator job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • KOHLS | Columbus, OH

    Senior Industrial Maintenance Technician

    KOHLS | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Shifts. \n. Monday-Thursday 2pm-12am. \n. Monday-Thursday 10pm-8am. \n. Friday-Sunday 6pm-6am. \n. \n. About the Role. \n. As a Senior Mai... more

    7 Days Ago

  • White Glove Placement | Columbus, OH

    RN

    White Glove Placement | Columbus, OH

    RN-Cath Lab Job in Westerville, OH $2387-$2795 per week* Location Westerville, OH. Schedule 5x8 Days. Start Date 09/27/2026. Assignment Length 13 weeks. Jo... more

    7 Days Ago

  • C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Local CDL

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. \n. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full ... more

    18 Days Ago

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FAQ about Hydraulic Crane Operator

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Hydraulic Crane Operator?

The Business Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Hydraulic Crane Operator roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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