Crane and Tower Operators in New York
Thinking about a career as a Crane and Tower Operators in New York? Below are the key facts. Operate mechanical boom and cable or tower and cable equipment to lift and move materials, machines, or products in many directions.
What do Crane and Tower Operators Make in New York?
The crane and tower operators working in New York, wages run about $110,000 per year (or about $52.89/hour).
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $63,820 | $30.69 |
| 25th percentile | $83,760 | $40.27 |
| Median (50th) | $110,000 | $52.89 |
| 75th percentile | $186,440 | $89.63 |
| 90th percentile | n/a | n/a |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in New York relative to the national average — is 0.51, indicating fewer crane and tower operators per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, crane and tower operators earn a median of $26,023 per year ($12.51/hour), higher than the New York median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 136,126 crane and tower operators in the U.S.. In New York alone, about 1,330 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 570 crane and tower operators.
Top New York Metros for Crane and Tower Operators
The largest metro-area employers of crane and tower operators in New York.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 1,460 | $94,370 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | 80 | n/a |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | 50 | $73,350 |
| Syracuse, NY | 40 | $91,590 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | 40 | $65,540 |
Top States for Crane and Tower Operators Employment
The table below shows the states where the most crane and tower operators work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 6,650 |
| Florida | 2,460 |
| Ohio | 2,120 |
| California | 2,010 |
| Georgia | 1,780 |
| Louisiana | 1,750 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,650 |
| Indiana | 1,600 |
| New York | 1,330 |
| Virginia | 1,280 |
| Michigan | 1,210 |
| Alabama | 1,170 |
| Arizona | 1,110 |
| Illinois | 1,100 |
| North Carolina | 1,100 |
| South Carolina | 980 |
| Washington | 890 |
| Kentucky | 770 |
| Mississippi | 770 |
| New Jersey | 740 |
Highest-Paying States for Crane and Tower Operators
The highest-paying states for crane and tower operators.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Nevada | $129,930 |
| Hawaii | $115,870 |
| Oregon | $110,280 |
| New York | $110,000 |
| District of Columbia | $106,150 |
| Washington | $96,870 |
| Montana | $91,520 |
| New Jersey | $88,470 |
| Connecticut | $86,830 |
| Alaska | $80,900 |
Skills
The most important crane and tower operators skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for crane and tower operators, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- 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.
- Weigh bundles, using floor scales, and record weights for company records.
Work Activities
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Getting Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Tools & Technology
Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
- Ground Transportation
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Related Careers
Related occupations to crane and tower operators include:
- Construction Laborers
- Pile Driver Operators
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers
- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
- Continuous Mining Machine Operators
Also Known As
Acid Crane Operator, Boom Cat Operator, Boom Crane Operator, Boomswing Operator, Bottom Crane Operator, Bridge Crane Operator, Burial Vault Deliverer and Installer, Cantilever Crane Operator, Cathead Operator, Cell Tower Technician (Cell Tower Tech), Certified Crane Operator, Charging Crane Operator, Cherry Picker Operator, Cinder Dump Crane Operator, Cinder Pit Crane Operator.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 53-7021.00