📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Crane Operator Salary in Virginia (2026)

Virginia · 10.0% above national average · High Demand

Average
$75,328
per year
Median
$70,708
per year
Hourly
$36.22
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$47,949
25th Percentile — Junior$62,513
50th Percentile — Median$70,708
75th Percentile — Senior$95,282
90th Percentile — Top Earners$107,758
💡 Top-earning Crane Operators in Virginia make up to $107,758 per year. The job market in Virginia is rated very strong, with key industries including Government, Technology, Defense.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$65.0k
2021
$66.9k
2022
$68.9k
2023
$71.0k
2024
$73.1k
2025
$75.3k
2026
📈 Crane Operator salaries in Virginia have followed the national trend with 3.0% annual growth. The strong demand in Virginia's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Crane Operator Salary by City in Virginia
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Virginia Beach $79,094 +5.0% High
Richmond $76,835 +2.0% High
🔍
Crane Operator Job Market in Virginia
Key factors affecting compensation

Virginia is home to a very strong job market for Crane Operators. The state's key industries — Government, Technology, Defense — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $75,328 per year, Virginia's Crane Operator salaries are 10.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in Virginia (index: 1.1) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in Virginia can expect to earn $47,949–$62,513, while experienced Crane Operators can command $95,282–$107,758.

Looking ahead, the Crane Operator profession in Virginia is projected to grow at 3.0% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Government continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
⚖️
Compare with Similar Jobs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Crane Operator salary in Virginia is $75,328 per year in 2026, which is 10.0% above the national average of $68,480.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Crane Operators the highest wages in Virginia due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • Virginia has a very strong job market with major industries in Government, Technology, Defense. This makes it one of the better states for Crane Operator employment.
  • At $75,328/year, Virginia Crane Operator salaries are 10.0% higher than the national average of $68,480/year.