Just as cranes tower over building sites, the salaries of the people who run them tower over those of other construction workers.

Some crane operators and related trades in New York City make upwards of $500,000 a year in pay, overtime and benefits, according to the Real Estate Board of New York, which represents the construction industry.

The group says that some of the workers pulling down the biggest salaries at the World Trade Center aren't even operating equipment. It says about 50 workers are in unnecessary positions, such as relief crane operators, mandated by the union contract.

"If you want to be paid for seven or eight hours, you should work for seven or eight hours," said Steve Spinola, president of the Real Estate Board.

Officials for the two operating engineer unions, which represent 6,600 crane operators, maintenance engineers and excavators in New York, didn't return calls seeking comment.