Hoist and Winch Operators Salary
The median hoist and winch operators salary in the United States is $56,450 per year ($27.14/hour). Salaries range from $35,640 at the entry level to $118,210+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 2,600 hoist and winch operators jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to decline 1.1% through 2034.
Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Median Salary
$56,450
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.14
per hour
Employment
2,600
jobs in the U.S.
Salary Distribution
10th percentile
$35,640
25th percentile
$42,690
Median
$56,450
75th percentile
$94,350
90th percentile
$118,210
Job Growth (2024-2034)
-1.1%
Decline
Annual Openings
300
jobs/year (growth + replacements)
Education Required
No formal educational credential
Training Needed
Short-term on-the-job training
Hoist and Winch Operators Salary by State
Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →Salary Map — Click a state for details
$34K$118K■ No data
Top Paying States
Illinois
$118K
+109%
Hawaii
$107K
+90%
Maryland
$100K
+77%
Minnesota
$78K
+39%
New York
$75K
+33%
Massachusetts
$62K
+10%
Oregon
$56K
-1%
Missouri
$48K
-16%
Ohio
$43K
-24%
Michigan
$40K
-29%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
Hoist and Winch Operators Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $118,210 | +109.4% |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $99,840 | +76.9% |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $78,400 | +38.9% |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $74,840 | +32.6% |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $64,390 | +14.1% |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $47,810 | -15.3% |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $46,310 | -18.0% |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $35,410 | -37.3% |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $29,120 | -48.4% |
| Puerto Rico | $21,890 | -61.2% |
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A hoist and winch operators earning $56,450/year would need 1056 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 1134 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
See all sports & celebrity salaries →📈 See how hoist and winch operators salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Hoist and Winch Operators salary trend (2011–2024) →