Construction & Real Estate Iowa (IA) Rank #39 of 50

Crane Operator Salary in Iowa

The median crane operator salary in Iowa is $57,272 per year, which is 11% below the national median of $64,350.

Median Salary
$57,272
vs National
$-7,078
State Rank
#39 of 50
Cost of Living
89%

Crane Operator Salary in Iowa by Experience

In Iowa, an entry-level crane operator earns around $37,380, while experienced professionals earn up to $84,550 per year. The cost of living index in Iowa is 89% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$37,380
$-4,620 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$58,740
$-7,260 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$84,550
$-10,450 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Iowa

Percentile IA Salary
10th Percentile $35,600
25th Percentile $44,500
Median (50th) $57,272
75th Percentile $72,980
90th Percentile $89,000

Crane Operator Salary by City in Iowa

The largest employment areas for crane operators in Iowa include Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, and Sioux City. Salaries vary by city based on local cost of living and demand.

Des Moines, IA
$59,202
Pop. 214,133 · COL 92%
Cedar Rapids, IA
$56,628
Pop. 137,710 · COL 88%
Davenport, IA
$55,341
Pop. 101,724 · COL 86%
Sioux City, IA
$54,054
Pop. 85,797 · COL 84%
Iowa City, IA
$61,133
Pop. 74,828 · COL 95%

How to Become a Crane Operator in Iowa

Education

Most crane operator positions require a high school diploma. Iowa has several accredited institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Crane OperationLoad CalculationSafety ProtocolsCommunicationEquipment InspectionNCCCO Certification

Job Outlook in Iowa

Nationally, crane operator employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Iowa's demand may vary based on local industry trends.

Find Crane Operator Jobs in Iowa

Browse open crane operator positions in Iowa:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Crane Operator Salary in Iowa

How much does a Crane Operator make in Iowa? ▼
The median crane operator salary in Iowa is $57,272 per year, which is 11% below the national median of $64,350. Salaries range from $35,600 (10th percentile) to $89,000 (90th percentile).
How much does a Crane Operator make per hour in Iowa? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $57,272, a crane operator in Iowa earns approximately $28 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
Is Iowa a good state for crane operators? ▼
Iowa ranks #39 out of 50 states for crane operator pay. The cost of living index is 89% of the national average. Entry-level crane operators earn $37,380, while senior professionals earn $84,550.
How does Iowa compare to other states for crane operator salary? ▼
The highest paying state for crane operators is Hawaii at $109,395. Iowa's median of $57,272 ranks #39 nationally. Nearby-ranked states include North Dakota ($57,915) and Ohio ($57,915).
What is the entry-level crane operator salary in Iowa? ▼
An entry-level crane operator in Iowa earns approximately $37,380 per year. With 3-7 years of experience, pay increases to around $58,740. Senior-level professionals with 8+ years earn up to $84,550.
What city in Iowa pays crane operators the most? ▼
Iowa City is the highest paying city in Iowa for crane operators, with a median salary of $61,133. Other cities include Des Moines and Cedar Rapids.