Trades
Crane & Tower Operators
Construction

Crane Operator

Crane & Tower Operators operate cranes and other moving and lifting equipment to load and unload ships, move materials in construction and other industries, and perform other heavy and specialized lifting and transporting work
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Crane Operator
crane-tok
crane-weight
Crane Operator Trainee
30 second crane tutorial
1st Year Crane Apprentice
Getting into the crane basket
Day in my life as a crane operator
If smaller cranes put up larger cranes, how was the first crane built 🤯
Why Should You Consider This Career?

The best crane operators clear over $300k a year and get to work on the largest projects and buildings in the city. Flexible work hours and locations. A steady hand, a mind for safety and good focus mean the sky is the limit for this career.

TYPICAL SALARY
$80k
That's $3,300 per bi-weekly paycheck
CAREER OUTLOOK
Growing
That's 2000 new jobs in Utah per year (30% growth)
Less Physical                                         More Physical
—————|————
Less Training                                          More Training
—————|————
More Structure                                     Less Structure
—————|————
ALTERNATIVE JOB TITLES:
Crane Operator, Heavy Equipment Operator, Machine Operator, Mobile Crane Operator, Overhead Crane Operator, Port Crane Operator, Scrap Crane Operator, Winchman, Woodyard Crane Operator

Operate mechanical boom and cable or tower and cable equipment to lift and move materials, machines, or products in many directions.

At A Glance in US
2028 JOB GROWTH
Wage loader
398,000 (35%)
SALARY RANGE
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AVG. JOBS / YEAR
398,000 (35%)
TIME TO JOURNEYMAN
398,000 (35%)
ALTERNATIVE JOB TITLES:
Crane Operator, Heavy Equipment Operator, Machine Operator, Mobile Crane Operator, Overhead Crane Operator, Port Crane Operator, Scrap Crane Operator, Winchman, Woodyard Crane Operator
A Typical Day Icon

Your Typical Day:

  • Determine load weights and check them against lifting capacities to prevent overload.
  • Move levers, depress foot pedals, or turn dials to operate cranes, cherry pickers, electromagnets, or other moving equipment for lifting, moving, or placing loads.
  • Inspect and adjust crane mechanisms or lifting accessories to prevent malfunctions or damage.
  • Inspect cables or grappling devices for wear and install or replace cables, as needed.
  • Direct helpers engaged in placing blocking or outrigging under cranes.
  • Clean, lubricate, and maintain mechanisms such as cables, pulleys, or grappling devices, making repairs, as necessary.
  • Load or unload bundles from trucks, or move containers to storage bins, using moving equipment.
  • Review daily work or delivery schedules to determine orders, sequences of deliveries, or special loading instructions.
  • Inspect bundle packaging for conformance to regulations or customer requirements, and remove and batch packaging tickets.
  • Direct truck drivers backing vehicles into loading bays and cover, uncover, or secure loads for delivery.
wage icon

Wages in the US:

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$
46.07
Per Hour Base Income
$TBD
Total Compensation
Your Responsibilities Icon

Your Responsibilities

  • Weigh materials to ensure compliance with specifications.
  • Verify information or specifications.
  • Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
  • Inspect material-moving equipment to detect problems.
  • Maintain material moving equipment in good working condition.
  • Install parts, assemblies, or attachments in transportation or material handling equipment.
  • Direct material handling or moving activities.
  • Clean machinery or equipment.
  • Load shipments, belongings, or materials.
  • Inspect work to ensure standards are met.
Your Knowledge Icon

Knowledge You Will Learn

  • Mechanical

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance. 64/100

  • Mathematics

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. 50/100

  • English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. 48/100

  • Transportation

Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits. 48/100

  • Public Safety and Security

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions. 44/100

  • Building and Construction

Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads. 43/100

  • Education and Training

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. 40/100

  • Production and Processing

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods. 39/100

  • Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. 37/100

  • Engineering and Technology

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services. 35/100

Tools of the Trade Icon

Tools of the Trade

  • Lifting hooks
  • Below the hook device
  • Screwdrivers
  • Tower cranes
  • Track cranes
  • Demolition equipment kits
  • Earthmoving buckets or its parts or accessories
  • Blow torch
  • Hydraulic truck cranes
  • Force or torque sensors
  • Punches or nail sets or drifts
  • Pressure or steam cleaners
  • Tape measures
  • Wire cutters
  • Slings
  • Ratchets
  • All terrain cranes
  • Calipers
  • Shackle
  • Hoists
  • Drum grabs
  • Acoustic ear muffs or defenders
  • Jacks
  • Pullers
  • Rough terrain cranes
  • Jib crane
  • Forklifts
  • Touch screen monitors
  • Slip or groove joint pliers
  • Draglines
  • Blocks or pulleys
  • Impact wrenches
  • Pile drivers
  • Goggles
  • Specialty wrenches
  • Box end wrenches
  • Ear plugs
  • Sledge hammer
  • Wear testers
  • Tire pressure gauge
  • Linear position sensors
  • Safety harnesses or belts
  • Ball peen hammer
  • Track excavators
  • Rotary position sensors
  • Paint sprayers
  • Oil gun
  • Claw hammer
  • Floor or platform scales
  • Hazardous material protective apparel
  • Grapples
  • Tinners snips
  • Bridge cranes
  • Angle grinder
  • Two way radios
  • Anemometers
  • Pneumatic impact wrenches
  • Grease guns
  • Respirators
  • Bench vises
  • Pry bars
  • Safety glasses
  • Welding masks
  • Power drills
  • Turnbuckles
  • Demolition hammers
  • Open end wrenches
  • Adjustable wrenches
  • Wire brushes
  • Needlenose pliers
No items found.
Related Careers Icon

Helpful Career Links

Crane Certification Association of America
Crane Institute of America
International Longshoremen's Association
International Union of Operating Engineers
MHI
National Commission for Certification of Crane Operators
Occupational Outlook Handbook: Material moving machine operators
United Steelworkers
Warehousing Education and Research Council

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