Short crane jobs are often billed by the hour with a minimum number of hours. The figures below are published ranges from the sources listed at the bottom. They are not quotes. A price depends on the crane, the site, the travel distance and the job.
Published price ranges
South Carolina averages for 2026 (Crane Compare)
| Service | Hourly | Daily |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile crane | $100 to $550 | $550 to $1,950 |
| Operated crane | $250 to $650 | $950 to $3,400 |
For Charleston, Crane Compare lists mobile cranes at $175 to $475 per hour and $575 to $1,975 per day.
Rate sheets with an operator (RiggingForce, updated October 12, 2026)
RiggingForce built this table from two published rate sheets, one from Texas and one from Virginia. Both include the crane and operator. RiggingForce calls them local examples, not national averages, so use them to see how prices scale with crane size, not as a South Carolina price list.
| Crane class | Hourly rate | Minimum hours | Minimum charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 to 30 ton boom truck | $155 to $175 | 3 to 4 | $465 to $700 |
| 40 to 75 ton mobile crane | $175 to $310 | 4 | $700 to $1,240 |
| 100 to 210 ton mobile crane | $275 to $550 | 4 to 8 | $1,420 to $3,200 |
| 275 ton mobile crane | $595 | 4 | $2,380 |
National ranges (Alltracon, 2026 guide)
Alltracon, an Ohio rigging company, says a mobile crane with an operator generally runs about $150 to $600 per hour for common sizes, with larger cranes costing more. When a crane is rented without an operator, an operator typically adds about $50 to $150 per hour.
What changes the final bill
- Minimum hours. Even a 30-minute lift is usually billed at the crane's minimum, often four hours.
- Travel time. Some companies bill from the moment the crane leaves their yard until it returns. If travel is billed at the full hourly rate, a site 45 minutes from the yard adds about 1.5 hours. Others charge separate delivery and pickup fees.
- Extras. Fuel surcharges, permits, riggers, additional crew, support trucks and overtime can be listed separately.
- Crane size. In the rate sheets above, hourly rates rise with crane size. A crane's ton rating is not the whole story, because what it can lift drops as the load moves away from it. See What size crane do I need?
- With or without an operator. A bare rental provides only the crane. You take on the qualified operator, inspections, maintenance and insurance.
How to get a real price
Compare the minimum charge for the crane and crew you need, not an hourly rate multiplied by eight hours. Ask for an itemized quote, and have the load weight, lift height, distances and ground conditions ready. The crane rental checklist lists what to ask.
Sources
- Crane Compare, Crane Rental Services South Carolina (average rates for 2026)
- Crane Compare, Crane Rental Services in Charleston, SC
- RiggingForce, How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Crane for a Day? (updated October 12, 2026)
- Alltracon, How Much Do Industrial Rigging Services Cost? A Complete 2026 Pricing Guide
Figures were copied from these pages on October 26, 2026 and may change. They are not offers from us or from any crane company, and this is general information, not professional advice.