Crane Operator Salary in New Mexico
This is the Data Center Headhunters salary guide.
BLS does not measure Crane Operator as its own occupation, so this page uses Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021, closest proxy). The median annual wage in New Mexico was $62,400 (BLS, May 2025), and the middle half earned $61,630 to $67,280. That is $5,680 below the national median of $68,080.
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Closest proxy
Crane and Tower Operators is the closest occupational proxy based on the work described, not a separate data center wage series. BLS does not distinguish this title, experience level, shift, credentials or data center employers. Confirm the actual duties before using this comparison.
New Mexico
| Point | Annual wage | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $45,180 | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $61,630 | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median | $62,400 | Half earned less, half earned more. |
| 75th percentile | $67,280 | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th percentile | $81,830 | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $63,550 | Average wage. |
| Point | Hourly wage | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $21.72 | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $29.63 | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median | $30 | Half earned less, half earned more. |
| 75th percentile | $32.35 | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th percentile | $39.34 | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $30.56 | Average wage. |
United States
| Point | Annual wage | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $42,640 | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $52,600 | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median | $68,080 | Half earned less, half earned more. |
| 75th percentile | $83,200 | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th percentile | $103,570 | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $72,130 | Average wage. |
| Point | Hourly wage | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $20.5 | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $25.29 | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median | $32.73 | Half earned less, half earned more. |
| 75th percentile | $40 | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th percentile | $49.79 | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $34.68 | Average wage. |
What BLS wages include: base pay plus any guaranteed or production-based incentive pay. What they leave out: overtime, discretionary bonus, benefits, per diem and relocation.
Employment: 290.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 53-7021 Crane and Tower Operators, New Mexico. View this release at BLS.
Pay relative to all occupations
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| This occupation, median | $62,400 |
| All occupations (SOC 00-0000), median | $47,210 |
| Relative wage | 1.32 times |
A ratio of 1.00 means the same median as all workers in the area. It is arithmetic on two BLS medians, not a BLS statistic.
Change since the prior BLS release
| Reference period | Median |
|---|---|
| May 2024 | $60,950 |
| May 2025 | $62,400 |
| Difference | +$1,450 (+2.4%) |
Two published BLS values, shown as released. Not annualized, not adjusted for inflation, and BLS metro boundaries and survey panels can differ between releases.
What is inside the BLS pay figure
For construction and commissioning hires, separate expense reimbursements and overtime from straight-time pay. Check a project bonus on its actual terms. Guaranteed pay and production incentives count in BLS wages; discretionary nonproduction bonuses do not.
| Component | In the BLS figure? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Base rate and guaranteed pay | Included | BLS counts the "base rate" and "guaranteed pay". |
| Production and incentive pay | Included | BLS counts "incentive pay including commissions and production bonuses". |
| On-call pay | Included | BLS lists "on-call pay" and "hazardous-duty pay" as wages. |
| Overtime pay matters here | Left out | BLS excludes "overtime pay". Straight-time pay only. |
| Shift differentials | Left out | BLS excludes "shift differentials", so night and weekend premiums are not in the figure. |
| Project-completion and discretionary bonuses matters here | Depends on the terms | Guaranteed pay and production incentives are included. Discretionary nonproduction bonuses are excluded. Check how the payment is defined. |
| Per diem, travel and relocation matters here | Left out | BLS does not name these as wages. They are expense reimbursements and are not in the figure. |
| Benefits and employer costs | Left out | BLS excludes "employer costs for supplementary benefits". |
Nearby and other areas
Hiring Market Brief
A one-page brief for Crane Operator in New Mexico: BLS pay, mapping and caveats.
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