Crane Operator Rates: What You Pay for an Operated Crane

Short answer: you usually pay one operated hourly rate that includes the crane and a certified operator, with a minimum (often 4 hours), plus travel and extras. The figures below are two companies' published rates, shown to help you budget. They are not our prices or a quote, and we don't set prices.

Published operated crane rates in North Texas

Few crane companies post prices. These two do: North Texas Crane Service in Lewisville publishes a 2025 crane rental rate sheet (crane with operator), and Hurd Oilfield Service in Jacksboro lists hourly crane service rates on its website. Hurd's page states hourly rates per crane size and a 4-hour minimum; it doesn't break out the operator's share separately.

For boom trucks, North Texas Crane Service lists $155/hour for a 23-ton unit (3-hour minimum) and $175/hour for a 30-ton unit (4-hour minimum). See the full list in our crane rental cost guide.

Crew and time charges on top of the hourly rate

• Rigger or signal person: $95/hour with a 4-hour minimum on the North Texas Crane Service sheet; $75/hour on Hurd's page.
• Overtime: North Texas Crane Service adds $50/hour per person after 8 hours, before 7:00 am or after 5:00 pm, and on weekends; $85/hour on Sundays and holidays.
• Travel: billed portal to portal on the North Texas Crane Service sheet, so the clock runs from the yard to your site and back.
• Permits and trucks: Hurd lists a $100 permit fee on cranes above 50 ton, and haul trucks at $110 to $125/hour.

What changes the operated rate

We don't publish averages we can't source. These are the factors that move the number:

• Crane size and type. Rates rise with capacity, and the size you need depends on weight and reach.
• Operator certification. For construction work, OSHA requires operators to be trained, certified or licensed, and evaluated for the type of equipment (29 CFR 1926.1427). That's built into an operated rate.
• Crew size. Blind lifts, tight sites and complex rigging can need a rigger, signal person or oiler.
• Timing. Early starts, weekends and long days trigger overtime.
• Distance. A crane based closer to Sherman bills less travel.
• Project type. Public projects may carry prevailing-wage requirements, and long-term rentals are often priced by the week or month instead of the hour.

Hiring an operator for a bare rental

If you rent a crane without an operator, you need a qualified, certified operator of your own, plus rigging, insurance and responsibility for the lift plan. Operator-only pricing varies a lot and isn't usually published, so ask for it in writing. For short jobs, an operated rental is usually simpler and often cheaper overall. See operated crane service and mobile crane rental.