Crane and Tower Operator Salary in Chicago, IL
Crane and Tower Operators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $55,890 a year — 18% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $44,466 take-home, or $3,705 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median crane and tower operator salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,527
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,465
- Medicare (1.45%)$810
- Illinois income tax$2,622
- Take-home pay$44,466
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Crane and Tower Operator pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,290 | $19.37 | $32,703 | $2,725 |
| 25th percentile | $41,460 | $19.93 | $33,586 | $2,799 |
| Median (50th) | $55,890 | $26.87 | $44,466 | $3,705 |
| 75th percentile | $67,440 | $32.42 | $53,081 | $4,423 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,760 | $51.81 | $79,450 | $6,621 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $55,890 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median crane and tower operator's $44,466 take-home pay has the buying power of $42,923 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chicago, IL has 1.5× 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
Chicago, IL ranks #13 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 |
| 13 | Chicago, IL | $55,890 | $44,466 | $42,923 |
*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 Chicago, IL?
The median crane and tower operator salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $55,890 a year, or about $26.87 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $41,460 and $67,440.
What is a crane and tower operator’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $55,890 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $44,466 a year ($3,705 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,622 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a crane and tower operator?
Pay here is 18% below the national median of $68,080. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $42,923 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #13 of 13 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a crane and tower operator afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 41% of a median crane and tower operator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
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