Crane and Tower Operator Salary in Phoenix, AZ
Crane and Tower Operators in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median $72,580 a year — 7% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $58,284 take-home, or $4,857 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median crane and tower operator salary in Phoenix, AZ. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,138
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,500
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,052
- Arizona income tax$1,606
- Take-home pay$58,284
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 2.50% state
Crane and Tower Operator pay by experience in Phoenix, AZ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,930 | $24.49 | $42,038 | $3,503 |
| 25th percentile | $58,430 | $28.09 | $47,877 | $3,990 |
| Median (50th) | $72,580 | $34.89 | $58,284 | $4,857 |
| 75th percentile | $82,820 | $39.82 | $65,232 | $5,436 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $89,450 | $43.00 | $69,731 | $5,811 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arizona resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $72,580 buys in Phoenix, AZ
Prices in Phoenix, AZ are 3.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.21× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median crane and tower operator's $58,284 take-home pay has the buying power of $56,414 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Crane and Tower Operator jobs are about as common in Phoenix, AZ as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.97).
Best-paying cities for crane and tower operators, adjusted for cost of living
Phoenix, AZ ranks #6 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 Phoenix, AZ?
The median crane and tower operator salary in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $72,580 a year, or about $34.89 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $58,430 and $82,820.
What is a crane and tower operator’s take-home pay in Phoenix, AZ?
On the median $72,580 salary, a single filer living in Arizona takes home about $58,284 a year ($4,857 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,606 in Arizona taxes in 2026.
Is Phoenix, AZ a good place to work as a crane and tower operator?
Pay here is 7% above the national median of $68,080. Local prices are 3.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $56,414 would in a typical U.S. city. Phoenix, AZ ranks #6 of 13 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a crane and tower operator afford rent in Phoenix, AZ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Phoenix, AZ is $1,583 a month ($1,839 for two bedrooms) — 33% 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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