SOC 537041

Hoist and Winch Operators

Operate or tend hoists or winches to lift and pull loads using power-operated cable equipment. Excludes "Crane and Tower Operators" (53-7021).

National Median

$52,310

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$52,310

Entry Level (10th pct)

$33,910

Experienced (90th pct)

$116,120

Total Employed

2,480

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$33,910 - $39,220
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$39,220 - $90,200
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$90,200 - $116,120

Highest Paying Locations for Hoist and Winch Operators

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ

$141,930

+171.3% vs national

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

$116,120

+122.0% vs national

Illinois

$116,120

+122.0% vs national

Hawaii

$100,940

+93.0% vs national

Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

$96,030

+83.6% vs national

Hoist and Winch Operators Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 39 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$141,930	N/A
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$116,120	290
Illinois	$116,120	310
Hawaii	$100,940	110
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$96,030	N/A
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	$90,200	150
Nevada	$90,120	30
Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area	$90,120	30
Maryland	$87,760	160
Wyoming	$73,840	40
West Virginia	$65,930	60
Minnesota	$65,680	70
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$65,680	70
Massachusetts	$61,720	N/A
Alabama	$59,220	50
New York	$58,980	N/A
Oregon	$55,710	80
Coast Oregon nonmetropolitan area	$54,400	30
Idaho	$50,530	50
Alaska	$48,930	30
Alaska nonmetropolitan area	$48,930	30
Washington	$47,680	190
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$47,680	140
Missouri	$46,680	N/A
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	$45,480	80
Virginia	$44,310	50
Tennessee	$42,000	50
Florida	$38,910	90
Indiana	$38,370	160
Wisconsin	$37,610	N/A
Georgia	$37,590	150
Ohio	$37,300	50
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	$37,180	30
Texas	$36,420	80
South Carolina	$35,970	40
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	$34,460	40
Michigan	$34,460	70
Mississippi	$22,150	30
Kentucky	$17,330	40

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Hoist and Winch Operators?

The national median annual salary for Hoist and Winch Operators is $52,310, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Hoist and Winch Operatorss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Hoist and Winch Operatorss is New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, with a median salary of $141,930.

How much can an experienced Hoist and Winch Operators make?

Top-earning Hoist and Winch Operatorss (90th percentile) make $116,120 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.