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Crane Operator Salary in Chicago, IL

U.S. median $68,080/yr ($32.73/hr)

If you run cranes in Chicago, Illinois, your pay tracks demand for tower, mobile, and overhead operators across the metro. These are the latest local numbers and the jobs hiring now.

Checking live local pay...

National benchmarks

Median$68,080/yr ($32.73/hr)
Hourly range$20.50 to $49.79/hr
Bottom 10%under $42,640/yr
Top 10%over $103,570/yr

Local pay in Chicago moves with cost of living, union presence, and demand. The live figure above reflects what Chicago employers are posting right now.

Pay by experience

Apprentice / Entry (0-2 years)New operators and Operating Engineers apprentices start near the bottom 10 to 25 percent. Union apprentices earn a set percentage of journeyman scale that steps up every six months as hours and certifications add up.$43,000 to $53,000
Journeyman / Mid-career (2-6 years)Once you hold an NCCCO certification and run cranes solo, pay moves toward the national median of $68,080. In union metros, journeyman operating engineer scale alone can top $75,000 before overtime.$53,000 to $68,000
Experienced / Master operator (7+ years)Seasoned tower crane and large mobile or crawler operators sit between the median and the top 10 percent of $103,570. Industrial, port, and high-rise work with heavy overtime pushes the ceiling.$68,000 to $104,000
Foreman / Owner-operatorLift directors, crane superintendents, master riggers, and operators who own their own crane can clear six figures, especially on union industrial and energy projects that pay per diem.$100,000 to $150,000+

Crane Operator jobs in Chicago

See Crane Operator jobs hiring in Chicago with pay shown upfront.

Crane Operator pay in nearby cities

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Crane Operator pay in Chicago: FAQs

How much do crane operators make an hour?

The median is $32.73 an hour as of May 2024, per the BLS. Most operators fall between about $20.50 and $49.79 an hour. Union and industrial operators sit at the high end, while new operators and lower-cost regions are near the bottom.

Do crane operators make good money?

Yes. The median of $68,080 a year is well above the typical U.S. wage, and you can enter with a high school diploma and on-the-job training. Union and industrial operators regularly clear $90,000 to $118,000.

Can you make $100,000 as a crane operator?

Yes. The top 10 percent earn over $103,570 a year. Tower crane, industrial, and port operators in union markets like New York and Hawaii, combined with heavy overtime and per diem, are the common paths to six figures.

What are the highest paying crane operator jobs?

Union tower crane work in big metros, industrial and energy plant work, port container cranes, and travel jobs with per diem. Aerospace, power generation, and heavy-civil construction top the industry pay tables at $90,000 and up.

How much do beginner crane operators make?

Starting pay runs roughly $42,640 to $53,000 a year, about $20.50 to $25 an hour. Operating Engineers apprentices earn a percentage of journeyman scale that steps up every six months as they log hours and add certifications.