Crane and Tower Operator Salary in Baton Rouge, LA
Crane and Tower Operators in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn a median $66,680 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $54,125 take-home, or $4,510 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median crane and tower operator salary in Baton Rouge, LA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,840
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,134
- Medicare (1.45%)$967
- Louisiana income tax$1,614
- Take-home pay$54,125
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.00% state
Crane and Tower Operator pay by experience in Baton Rouge, LA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,530 | $23.33 | $40,104 | $3,342 |
| 25th percentile | $56,090 | $26.97 | $45,952 | $3,829 |
| Median (50th) | $66,680 | $32.06 | $54,125 | $4,510 |
| 75th percentile | $78,530 | $37.75 | $62,106 | $5,176 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,970 | $40.37 | $65,770 | $5,481 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Louisiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $66,680 buys in Baton Rouge, LA
Prices in Baton Rouge, LA are 9.2% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 26% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median crane and tower operator's $54,125 take-home pay has the buying power of $59,622 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Baton Rouge, LA has 4.9× the national concentration of crane and tower operator jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for crane and tower operators, adjusted for cost of living
Baton Rouge, LA ranks #5 of 13 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $114,330 | $89,261 | $80,319 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $98,140 | $73,184 | $67,597 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $100,640 | $74,733 | $66,392 |
| 4 | Houston, TX | $75,500 | $61,944 | $62,805 |
| 5 | Baton Rouge, LA | $66,680 | $54,125 | $59,622 |
| 6 | Phoenix, AZ | $72,580 | $58,284 | $56,414 |
| 7 | Miami, FL | $78,100 | $63,773 | $55,866 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $72,010 | $57,278 | $55,852 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 13 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a crane and tower operator make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The median crane and tower operator salary in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area is $66,680 a year, or about $32.06 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $56,090 and $78,530.
What is a crane and tower operator’s take-home pay in Baton Rouge, LA?
On the median $66,680 salary, a single filer living in Louisiana takes home about $54,125 a year ($4,510 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,614 in Louisiana taxes in 2026.
Is Baton Rouge, LA a good place to work as a crane and tower operator?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $68,080. Local prices are 9.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $59,622 would in a typical U.S. city. Baton Rouge, LA ranks #5 of 13 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a crane and tower operator afford rent in Baton Rouge, LA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Baton Rouge, LA is $1,048 a month ($1,187 for two bedrooms) — 23% of a median crane and tower operator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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