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Crane Operator - Federal Salaries of 2021
Pay Rates for "Crane Operator"
How much does a Crane Operator in the federal government get paid? $69,575.70* *Based on the 2021 average.Crane Operator was the 419th most popular job in the U.S. Government in 2021, with 46 employed. The most common payscale was the nonsupervisory pay schedules - federal wage system payscale.
In 2021, the U.S. Coast Guard hired the most employees titled Crane Operating, with an average salary of $67,981.
Government Crane Operating jobs are classified under the Federal Wage Schedule, Wage Grade (FWS) payscale. The minimum paygrade for a Crane Operating job is FWS-7, and the highest paygrade that can be attained within this job series is FWS-11. Remember that the starting and maximum yearly pay listed above reflect base pay only - your actual salary will be higher based on the Locality Pay Adjustment for the area in which you work.
This standard covers nonsupervisory work involved in the operation of cranes to lift, transport, and position materials; to dig and move earth or other materials; to drive pilings; or to destroy obsolete structures. Cranes use attachments such as hooks, clamshell buckets, orangepeel buckets, dragline buckets, magnets, pile-drivers, demolition hammers, and other special material handling devices.
Agencies that have hired a Crane Operator
| Agency | Employees Hired | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Coast Guard | 26 | $67,981.42 |
| Maritime Administration | 10 | $71,421.90 |
| National Park Service | 5 | $75,270.00 |
| Bureau of Reclamation | 2 | $66,033.00 |
| St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation | 2 | $74,100.00 |
| U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service | 1 | $62,130.00 |
Crane Operator Pay Distribution
The average pay for a Crane Operator is $69,575.70. The highest paid Crane Operator made $93,852 in 2021.
Common Crane Operator Payscales
| Payscale | Number of Crane Operating Employees |
|---|---|
| WG - Nonsupervisory Pay Schedules - Federal Wage System | 41 |
| WL - Leader Pay Schedule - Federal Wage System | 4 |
| WS - Supervisory Pay Schedules - Federal Wage System | 1 |
| Starting Paygrade: | $10.20 to $26.59 / hour at paygrade FWS-7 |
| Maximum Paygrade: | $12.06 to $34.60 / hour at paygrade FWS-11 |
| Occupation Family: | TRANSPORTATION/MOBILE EQUIPMENT OPERATION FAMILY |
Other Jobs at the FWS-7 Paygrade
FWS-7 is the starting paygrade for Crane Operating jobs. Here are some other Federal Government jobs that can be held by employees at the FWS-7 paygrade.
| Occupation | Starting Paygrade | Maximum Paygrade |
|---|---|---|
| Blocking and Bracing | FWS-7 | FWS-8 |
| Upholstering | FWS-7 | FWS-9 |
| Locksmithing | FWS-7 | FWS-9 |
| Plumbing | FWS-7 | FWS-9 |
| Braking-Switching and Conducting | FWS-7 | FWS-9 |
Average Crane Operating Pay Trend from 2004 to 2021
In 2004, the average pay for a Crane Operator was $49,279. Since then, the average pay has increased to $69,576 in 2021.
Data Sources
The information provided on these pages is sourced from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) 
Enterprise Human Resources Integration (EHRI) dataset. Postal Service data is managed exclusively by the USPS . All information is displayed unmodified and as provided by the source agency.
Federal employee salaries are public information under open government laws (5 U.S.C. § 552). FederalPay provides this data in the interest of government transparency — employee data may not be used for commercial soliciting or vending of any kind. Learn more about the FederalPay Employees Dataset here.
The series code of this occupation is 5725.