What is a Crane or Tower Operator?
Position Description Operate mechanical boom and cable or tower and cable equipment to lift and move materials, machines, or products in many directions.
Life As a Crane or Tower Operator
- Direct truck drivers backing vehicles into loading bays and cover, uncover, or secure loads for delivery.
- Clean, lubricate, and maintain mechanisms such as cables, pulleys, or grappling devices, making repairs as necessary.
- Review daily work or delivery schedules to determine orders, sequences of deliveries, or special loading instructions.
- Move levers, depress foot pedals, or turn dials to operate cranes, cherry pickers, electromagnets, or other moving equipment for lifting, moving, or placing loads.
- Direct helpers engaged in placing blocking or outrigging under cranes.
- Inspect and adjust crane mechanisms or lifting accessories to prevent malfunctions or damage.
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Skills Needed to be a Crane or Tower Operator
Crane and Tower Operators state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Monorail Charger Operator
- Whirley Operator
- Mold Shifter
- Crane Ladle Person
- Yard Crane Operator
Is There Going to be Demand for Crane and Tower Operators?
In the United States, there were 46,000 jobs for Crane or Tower Operator in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.5% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 3,900 new jobs for Crane or Tower Operator by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 5,300 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Crane or Tower Operator are Wyoming, Nevada, and Utah. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, South Dakota, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Crane and Tower Operators Salary
The typical yearly salary for Crane and Tower Operators is somewhere between $31,250 and $87,330.
Crane and Tower Operators who work in Hawaii, Alaska, or Washington, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Crane and Tower Operators in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $48,550 |
| Alaska | $77,270 |
| Arizona | $49,730 |
| Arkansas | $38,010 |
| California | $63,850 |
| Colorado | $58,650 |
| Connecticut | $66,580 |
| Delaware | $44,820 |
| District of Columbia | $44,580 |
| Florida | $55,410 |
| Georgia | $48,790 |
| Hawaii | $82,910 |
| Idaho | $52,610 |
| Illinois | $55,930 |
| Indiana | $62,180 |
| Iowa | $55,900 |
| Kansas | $58,730 |
| Kentucky | $49,680 |
| Louisiana | $52,010 |
| Maine | $50,980 |
| Maryland | $56,200 |
| Massachusetts | $74,160 |
| Michigan | $45,220 |
| Minnesota | $55,580 |
| Mississippi | $45,180 |
| Missouri | $46,500 |
| Montana | $63,270 |
| Nebraska | $52,120 |
| Nevada | $66,390 |
| New Jersey | $69,970 |
| New Mexico | $59,950 |
| North Carolina | $48,650 |
| North Dakota | $63,450 |
| Ohio | $48,170 |
| Oklahoma | $50,140 |
| Oregon | $70,460 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,100 |
| South Carolina | $51,390 |
| South Dakota | $58,470 |
| Tennessee | $52,470 |
| Texas | $55,490 |
| Utah | $48,670 |
| Vermont | $50,720 |
| Virginia | $65,630 |
| Washington | $72,270 |
| West Virginia | $54,520 |
| Wisconsin | $47,240 |
| Wyoming | $60,750 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Crane and Tower Operators
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Crane and Tower Operators may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Data entry software
- Microsoft Windows
- Inventory tracking software
How do I Become a Crane or Tower Operator?
What education is needed to be a Crane or Tower Operator?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Crane or Tower Operator?
Where Crane and Tower Operators Are Employed
Crane and Tower Operators work in the following industries:
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming a Crane or Tower Operator might also be interested in the following careers:
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
- Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
- Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders
Career changers with experience as a Crane or Tower Operator sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Hic85 via Public Domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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