Crane and Tower Operators

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

Also called: Crane Operator, Equipment Operator, Heavy Equipment Operator, Machine Operator, Mobile Crane Operator, Overhead Crane Operator, Port Crane Operator, Scrap Crane Operator, Tower Crane Operator, Woodyard Crane Operator, Acid Crane Operator, Boom Cat Operator, Boom Crane Operator, Boomswing Operator, Bottom Crane Operator, Bridge Crane Operator, Burial Vault Deliverer, Burial Vault 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, Clamshell Operator, Coal Tower Operator, Coke Crane Operator, Crane Driver, Crane Ladle Person, Demolition Crane Operator, Derrick Boat Lever Operator, Derrick Boat Leverman, Diesel Crane Operator, Electric Crane Operator, Erecting Crane Operator, Gantry Crane Operator, Hydrocrane Operator, Ladle Crane Operator, Locomotive Crane Operator, Mill Crane Operator, Mixer Crane Operator, Mold Yard Crane Operator, Monorail Crane Operator, Ore Bridge Operator, Overhead Crane Truck Loader, Pig Machine Crane Operator, Pit Crane Operator, Pouring Crane Operator, Power Crane Operator, Radio Control Crane Operator, Scrap Drop Crane Operator, Scrap Drop Operator, Sorting Grapple Operator, Steam Crane Operator, Steel Crane Operator, Tower Loader Operator, Tractor Crane Operator, Truck Crane Operator, Whirley Operator, Wrecking Crane Engine Operator, Yard Crane Operator

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

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 crane site conditions to determine ground stability.
Inspect and adjust crane mechanisms or lifting accessories to prevent malfunctions or damage.
Direct helpers engaged in placing blocking or outrigging under cranes.
Determine load weights and check them against lifting capacities to prevent overload.
Clean, lubricate, and maintain mechanisms such as cables, pulleys, or grappling devices, making repairs, as necessary.
Inspect cables or grappling devices for wear and install or replace cables, as needed.
Load or unload bundles from trucks, or move containers to storage bins, using moving equipment.

Skills, machines and equipment

Operation and Control
Operations Monitoring
Critical Thinking
Active Listening
Monitoring
Reading Comprehension
Speaking
Judgment and Decision Making
Time Management
Active Learning
Complex Problem Solving
Equipment Maintenance

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Post-Secondary Certificate (60.63% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

O*NET Job Zone 3: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

52,600–83,200 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 53-7021.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Develop inventory, scheduling, planning, and supply-chain analysis experience; explore coordinator, planner, or logistics-lead responsibilities.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Post-Secondary Certificate (60.63% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
O*NET Job Zone 3: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Crane and Tower Operators