Crane Operator Salary in Canada
In Canada, the median wage for crane operators is $41.41/hr.
In recent years, crane operator wages in Canada have varied by region and experience, reflecting economic and industry trends. As of 2024, the national average hourly wage ranges from $25.00 to $50.00, with a median around $41.41. Alberta offers the highest median wages at $44.27 per hour, driven by demand in oil and gas, while provinces like New Brunswick and Manitoba report lower medians, around $28.85 and below the national average, respectively. In Ontario, hourly rates range from $24.00 to $50.65, with mobile crane operators averaging $37.00. Entry-level positions start around $46,851 annually, while experienced operators can earn up to $100,000. These figures, updated through late 2024, indicate stable demand, though growth is tempered by a slowing construction sector in some regions.
| CRANE OPERATOR (NOC 72500) | |||
| 2024 | Wages ($/hour) | ||
| Province/Territory | Low | Median | High |
| Canada | 25 | 41.21 | 50 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 24.77 | 37 | 52.52 |
| Prince Edward Island | 23.45 | 27.93 | 32.89 |
| Nova Scotia | 25 | 40.51 | 50 |
| New Brunswick | 21 | 33.85 | 46 |
| Quebec | 28 | 42.32 | 46 |
| Ontario | 24 | 38 | 50.65 |
| Manitoba | 23.2 | 34.07 | 50.19 |
| Saskatchewan | 29.5 | 44 | 51.74 |
| Alberta | 29.65 | 44.27 | 50.03 |
| British Columbia | 25.75 | 41 | 53 |
| Yukon Territory | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Northwest Territories | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Nunavut | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Source: Job Bank. 2025 | |||
In 2017, crane operators reported higher wages in Alberta.
| CRANE OPERATORS (NOC 7371-B) | |||
| 2017 | Wages ($/hr) | ||
| Province/Territory | Low | Median | High |
| Canada | 19.25 | 30 | 43 |
| Alberta | 23 | 40 | 49.6 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 25 | 34.72 | 48.6 |
| Manitoba | 20 | 31.78 | 48 |
| Saskatchewan | 28 | 40.26 | 48 |
| British Columbia | 25 | 32 | 42.75 |
| New Brunswick | 17 | 27.35 | 40 |
| Nova Scotia | 17 | 27.35 | 40 |
| Ontario | 17.95 | 28 | 40 |
| Québec | 19.25 | 26 | 38 |
| Northwest Territories | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Nunavut | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Prince Edward Island | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Yukon | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Source: Job Bank. September 2017 | |||
*Wages are reviewed and updated on the Job Bank Web site on an annual basis.
Licensing
Heavy equipment operators may be regulated in the province or territory you wish to settle in. Contact the regulatory authority and/or apprenticeship office in that province or territory.
CRANE OPERATOR SALARY IN CANADA (2017)
