Construction & Real Estate Houston, TX Pop. 2,304,580

Crane Operator Salary in Houston, Texas

The median crane operator salary in Houston, TX is $61,776 per year, which is 4% below the national median and 4.3% above the Texas state average.

City Median
$61,776
vs State Avg
+$2,574
vs National
$-2,574
Cost of Living
96%

Crane Operator Salary in Houston by Experience

In Houston, an entry-level crane operator earns around $40,320, while experienced professionals earn up to $91,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 96% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$40,320
$-1,680 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$63,360
$-2,640 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$91,200
$-3,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Houston, TX

Percentile Houston
10th Percentile $38,400
25th Percentile $48,000
Median (50th) $61,776
75th Percentile $78,720
90th Percentile $96,000

Crane Operator Salary in Other Texas Cities

Austin, TX
$67,568
Pop. 978,908
Dallas, TX
$64,350
Pop. 1,304,379
Fort Worth, TX
$59,202
Pop. 918,915
San Antonio, TX
$56,628
Pop. 1,434,625

How to Become a Crane Operator in Houston

Education

Most crane operator positions require a high school diploma. Houston and the surrounding Texas area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Crane OperationLoad CalculationSafety ProtocolsCommunicationEquipment InspectionNCCCO Certification

Job Outlook

Nationally, crane operator employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Houston may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Crane Operator Jobs in Houston

Browse open crane operator positions in Houston, TX:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Crane Operator Salary in Houston

How much does a Crane Operator make in Houston, TX? ▼
The median crane operator salary in Houston, Texas is $61,776 per year, which is 4% below the national median of $64,350. Salaries range from $38,400 (10th percentile) to $96,000 (90th percentile).
How much does a Crane Operator make per hour in Houston? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $61,776, a crane operator in Houston earns approximately $30 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Houston compare to the Texas state average for crane operator pay? ▼
Houston's median crane operator salary of $61,776 is 4.3% above the Texas state average of $59,202. The local cost of living index is 96% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Houston, TX? ▼
Houston has a cost of living index of 96% compared to the national average. This means a crane operator salary of $61,776 in Houston has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a crane operator in Houston? ▼
Most crane operator positions in Houston require a high school diploma. Key skills include Crane Operation, Load Calculation, Safety Protocols, Communication. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.