Life As a Crane or Tower Operator

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

A Day in the Life of a Crane or Tower Operator

• Weigh bundles, using floor scales, and record weights for company records.
• Load or unload bundles from trucks or move containers to storage bins, using moving equipment.
• Clean, lubricate, and maintain mechanisms such as cables, pulleys, or grappling devices, making repairs as necessary.
• Inspect and adjust crane mechanisms or lifting accessories to prevent malfunctions or damage.
• Review daily work or delivery schedules to determine orders, sequences of deliveries, or special loading instructions.
• Direct truck drivers backing vehicles into loading bays and cover, uncover, or secure loads for delivery.

Qualities of a Crane or Tower Operator

These are the skills Crane and Tower Operators say are the most useful in their careers:

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.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

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.

Other Crane or Tower Operator Job Titles

• Heavy Equipment Operator
• Scrap Crane Operator
• Overhead Crane Operator
• Scrap Drop Operator
• Mill Crane Operator

Are There Job Opportunities for Crane and Tower Operators?

There were about 46,000 jobs for Crane and Tower Operators in 2016 (in the United States).

New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.6% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 3,900 new jobs for Crane and Tower Operators 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 and Tower Operators are Texas, Florida, and California.

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 or Tower Operator Salary

Crane and Tower Operators Make between $31,250 and $87,330 a year. The median salary for this occupation is $54,140.

How much do Crane and Tower Operators make in different U.S. states?

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
Hawaii	$82,910
Alaska	$77,270
Massachusetts	$74,160
Washington	$72,270
Oregon	$70,460
New Jersey	$69,970
Connecticut	$66,580
Nevada	$66,390
Virginia	$65,630
California	$63,850
North Dakota	$63,450
Montana	$63,270
Indiana	$62,180
Wyoming	$60,750
New Mexico	$59,950
Kansas	$58,730
Colorado	$58,650
South Dakota	$58,470
Maryland	$56,200
Illinois	$55,930
Iowa	$55,900
Minnesota	$55,580
Texas	$55,490
Florida	$55,410
West Virginia	$54,520
Idaho	$52,610
Tennessee	$52,470
Nebraska	$52,120
Pennsylvania	$52,100
Louisiana	$52,010
South Carolina	$51,390
Maine	$50,980
Vermont	$50,720
Oklahoma	$50,140
Arizona	$49,730
Kentucky	$49,680
Georgia	$48,790
Utah	$48,670
North Carolina	$48,650
Alabama	$48,550
Ohio	$48,170
Wisconsin	$47,240
Missouri	$46,500
Michigan	$45,220
Mississippi	$45,180
Delaware	$44,820
District of Columbia	$44,580
Arkansas	$38,010

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 Windows
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Excel
• Data entry software

How do I Become a Crane or Tower Operator?

What education is needed to be a Crane or Tower Operator?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Who Employs Crane and Tower Operators?

Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Those thinking about becoming Crane and Tower Operators might also be interested in the following careers:

• Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
• Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
• Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders

Those who work as Crane and Tower Operators sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

• Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons