Salary guide, May 2025
Overhead Crane Operator & Rigger pay in Illinois
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The median annual wage for Crane and Tower Operators in Illinois was $61,820 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $46,170 and $83,030.
The Illinois median is $6,260 below the national median of $68,080, both from BLS May 2025.
Direct match · SOC 53-7021 Crane and Tower Operators
The Overhead Crane Operator & Rigger title maps to the published occupation. The duties align, but BLS combines employers and industries.
What should you know about illinois?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $41,470 | $46,170 | $61,820 | $83,030 | $131,280 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $19.94 | $22.20 | $29.72 | $39.92 | $63.12 |
BLS estimated 1,220 workers employed in this occupation in Illinois. Location quotient: 0.73.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $42,640 | $52,600 | $68,080 | $83,200 | $103,570 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20.50 | $25.29 | $32.73 | $40.00 | $49.79 |
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $44,550 | $53,240 | $97,100 |
| May 2025 | $46,170 | $61,820 | $83,030 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 53-7021 Crane and Tower Operators, Illinois. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 53-7021 Crane and Tower Operators, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
What should you know about nearby areas?
| Area | Median | 25th to 75th |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $69,270 | $49,280 to $74,110 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $46,170 | $41,210 to $88,400 |
All roles in Illinois · National page · Overhead Crane Operator & Rigger ranked across metros