SOC 8221 Transport and mobile machine drivers and operatives

Crane drivers Salary

Median salary £46,392 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £46,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For crane drivers, £46,463 is the typical (median) pay. That is above the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +19% versus the national average.

About this role

Crane drivers operate vehicles to transport goods, passengers or materials safely and efficiently. They follow traffic regulations, maintain their vehicles, manage delivery schedules and ensure the safe handling of their cargo or passengers.

Key responsibilities

Operating vehicles safely and in compliance with road traffic law
Planning routes and managing delivery or service schedules
Conducting vehicle checks and reporting defects
Loading, securing and unloading cargo where applicable
Maintaining accurate records (tachograph, delivery logs)

Qualifications and entry routes

Requires a valid driving licence for the vehicle category. LGV (Category C/C+E) or PCV (Category D) requires additional training, medical examination and CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence). ADR certification is needed for hazardous goods.

Career outlook

Significant driver shortage, particularly for LGV drivers. Improved pay and conditions are being offered across the logistics sector.

Key skills

Safe driving Route planning Vehicle maintenance awareness Time management Customer service

Common industries

Logistics and distribution
Public transport
Haulage
Passenger services
Construction

Data coverage

SOC code 8221

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 7,000

Median Salary

£46,392

Mean Salary

£49,682

Jobs (000s)

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £38,189Median: £46,392

P10: --P25: £38kMedian: £46kP75: --P90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£38,189

0-2 years

Mid Level

£38,189

3-7 years

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +35.2%Real growth: -2.0%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£46,392

Full-time Only

£46,463

Full-time premium: +£71

Crane drivers salary: common questions

How much do crane drivers earn in the UK?

Crane drivers earn a median of £46,463 a year (ONS ASHE 2025).

Is £46,463 a good salary in the UK?

For crane drivers, £46,463 is the typical (median) pay. That is above the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +19% versus the national average.

What is the starting salary for crane drivers?

Entry-level crane drivers typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £38,189, though this varies by employer and region.

Have crane drivers salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median crane drivers pay has risen from £34,281 to £46,463 — +36% in cash terms, or -2.0% after CPIH inflation. That is roughly in line with inflation over the period.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).