Salary guide, May 2025
Overhead Crane Operator & Rigger pay in Iowa
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The median annual wage for Crane and Tower Operators in Iowa was $67,600 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $55,910 and $81,130.
The Iowa median is $480 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 iowa?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $47,480 | $55,910 | $67,600 | $81,130 | $83,650 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $22.83 | $26.88 | $32.50 | $39.00 | $40.21 |
BLS estimated 650 workers employed in this occupation in Iowa. Location quotient: 1.52.
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 | $48,650 | $55,620 | $75,230 |
| May 2025 | $55,910 | $67,600 | $81,130 |
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, Iowa. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $75,760 | $61,950 to $83,650 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $60,110 | $60,110 to $71,410 |
All roles in Iowa · National page · Overhead Crane Operator & Rigger ranked across metros