National Salary Overview
VS
Locomotive Engineers earns $10,456 more (14.4%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$72,700
$83,157
Average (Mean) Salary
$74,668
$83,682
Total Employment
41,870
27,340
States with Higher Pay
7
28
Salary by State: Crane and Tower Operators vs Locomotive Engineers
Showing 35 states where both occupations have BLS data. Crane and Tower Operators pays more in 7 states; Locomotive Engineers pays more in 28.
| State | Crane and Tower Operators | Locomotive Engineers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $60,790 | $77,600 | $-16,810 | ||
| Arizona | $67,350 | $89,840 | $-22,490 | ||
| Arkansas | $41,600 | $78,930 | $-37,330 | ||
| California | $79,570 | $77,070 | +$2,500 | ||
| Colorado | $77,120 | $89,360 | $-12,240 | ||
| Florida | $71,560 | $92,310 | $-20,750 | ||
| Illinois | $61,820 | $93,320 | $-31,500 | ||
| Indiana | $52,950 | $92,790 | $-39,840 | ||
| Iowa | $67,600 | $89,970 | $-22,370 | ||
| Kansas | $77,100 | $75,190 | +$1,910 | ||
| Kentucky | $62,000 | $77,620 | $-15,620 | ||
| Louisiana | $61,170 | $64,200 | $-3,030 | ||
| Massachusetts | $98,150 | $108,790 | $-10,640 | ||
| Minnesota | $80,930 | $93,700 | $-12,770 | ||
| Mississippi | $61,260 | $96,710 | $-35,450 | ||
| Missouri | $58,450 | $78,820 | $-20,370 | ||
| Montana | $82,800 | $90,220 | $-7,420 | ||
| New Hampshire | $63,310 | $70,670 | $-7,360 | ||
| New Jersey | $100,640 | $86,550 | +$14,090 | ||
| New Mexico | $62,400 | $88,330 | $-25,930 | ||
| New York | $85,850 | $109,220 | $-23,370 | ||
| North Carolina | $64,480 | $61,190 | +$3,290 | ||
| Ohio | $57,620 | $63,280 | $-5,660 | ||
| Oklahoma | $63,590 | $91,970 | $-28,380 | ||
| Oregon | $83,260 | $79,130 | +$4,130 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $65,190 | $82,460 | $-17,270 | ||
| South Carolina | $64,120 | $89,290 | $-25,170 | ||
| South Dakota | $71,000 | $69,180 | +$1,820 | ||
| Tennessee | $59,410 | $81,410 | $-22,000 | ||
| Texas | $73,280 | $79,000 | $-5,720 | ||
| Virginia | $66,600 | $90,780 | $-24,180 | ||
| Washington | $101,110 | $73,750 | +$27,360 | ||
| West Virginia | $54,830 | $64,400 | $-9,570 | ||
| Wisconsin | $67,720 | $84,550 | $-16,830 | ||
| Wyoming | $77,970 | $78,910 | $-940 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Crane and Tower Operators vs Locomotive Engineers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Crane and Tower Operators or Locomotive Engineers?
On average across all states, a Locomotive Engineers earns more than a Crane and Tower Operators. The national median salary difference is $10,456 (14.4%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Crane and Tower Operators earn more than a Locomotive Engineers?
A Crane and Tower Operators earns a higher median salary than a Locomotive Engineers in 7 out of 35 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Locomotive Engineers pays more in 28 states.
What is the median salary for a Crane and Tower Operators vs Locomotive Engineers?
The national median salary for a Crane and Tower Operators is $72,700 per year, compared to $83,157 for a Locomotive Engineers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Crane and Tower Operators or Locomotive Engineers?
There are more people employed as Crane and Tower Operators. BLS reports approximately 41,870 Crane and Tower Operators positions and 27,340 Locomotive Engineers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Crane and Tower Operators or Locomotive Engineers?
Both Crane and Tower Operators and Locomotive Engineers are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
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