WAGE DATA · SOC 53-7021

CRANE OPERATOR PAY
IN MICHIGAN.

Michigan crane operators earn a median of $37.07/hr (BLS 2024). 1,210 workers employed statewide. Compare market wages, federal prevailing rates, and per-diem baselines below.

// BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS · STATEWIDEOEWS · MAY 2024
HOURLY MEDIAN
$37.07/hr
MEAN HOURLY
$37.16/hr
ANNUAL MEDIAN
$77K
EMPLOYED
1,210
10th · $21.49MEDIAN · $37.0790th · $46.77
// DAVIS-BACON · FEDERAL PREVAILING WAGEDATA SOON

Federal Davis-Bacon prevailing wage rates for crane operators in Michigan will be imported from SAM.gov in our next data refresh. These are the legally-required minimum wages on federally-funded construction projects — crucial for comparing offers against the federal floor.

// GSA PER DIEMDATA SOON

GSA per-diem rates for Michigan will be available in the next data refresh.

// ROADHAND COMMUNITY DATABE FIRST

What are workers actually earning?

Government data is a baseline. Real take-home pay — including per diem, OT rules, housing allowances — comes from workers on the ground. Submit your pay anonymously to help the next hand.

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FAQ

How much does a crane operator earn in Michigan?+
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (2024), crane operators in Michigan earn a median of $37.07/hr. That's roughly $77K/year for a full-time schedule at straight time.
What's the top pay for crane operators in Michigan?+
The top 10% of crane operators in Michigan earn more than $46.77/hr (BLS 2024). That represents experienced workers, supervisors, or those on high-per-diem travel contracts.
How many crane operators work in Michigan?+
BLS reports 1,210 crane operators employed in Michigan as of 2024. Numbers fluctuate with major construction cycles — when big projects like LNG terminals or data centers start, demand spikes.
Do crane operators in Michigan get per diem?+
Per diem is standard on travel contracts. The federal GSA baseline for Michigan is typically $150-$260/day depending on the city. Contractors may set their per diem higher or lower — if it's below the GSA floor, you're subsidizing the contractor's housing budget out of pocket.
What's Davis-Bacon prevailing wage?+
Davis-Bacon rates are the legally-required minimum wages on federally-funded construction projects — base pay plus fringe benefits. Every contractor working a federal job must pay at least the Davis-Bacon rate for that county and trade. Private-sector jobs don't have to match, but many do as a competitive floor.