How to become a crane operator
Official title: Crane operator (on-site)
Also called: Crane operator (port), Port bridge crane operator, Port gantry crane operator, Equipment Specialist, Senior Equipment Specialist, Port bridge crane operator
Crane operator (on-site) operates port machinery such as quay cranes, yard cranes, fork lifts and prime movers in a safe and efficient manner that complies with port regulations while ensuring all cargo and ship supplies are discharged and loaded. He/she also inspects the equipment and work site prior to equipment set up based on his/her thorough understanding of the equipment’s specifications.
Main tasks
- Operating and monitoring stationary or mobile cranes by raising and lowering jibs and booms, to lift, move, position or place equipment and materials
How to become one
Crane/Hoist operator (excluding port) is required to pass the relevant crane operator course conducted by an accredited training provider or its equivalent.
Ways in
- Licence or registration: Crane/Hoist operator (excluding port) is required to pass the relevant crane operator course conducted by an accredited training provider or its equivalent.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $37,404 a year. The middle half earn $35,436 to $40,416 a year.
- Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.
Related jobs
- Crane/Hoist operator (excluding port)
- Excavating/Trench digging machine operator
- Dredge operator
- Pile driver/drilling machine operator
- Tunnelling machine operator
- Fork lift truck operator
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Questions people ask
How do I become a crane operator?
Crane/Hoist operator (excluding port) is required to pass the relevant crane operator course conducted by an accredited training provider or its equivalent.
How much does a crane operator earn in Singapore?
Median full-time pay is $37,404 a year (Ministry of Manpower (via data.gov.sg)). The middle half earn $35,436 to $40,416.
Will AI change the work of a crane operator?
Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.
Sources
- Ministry of Manpower (via data.gov.sg): Resident Occupational Wages (Occupational Wage Survey) (June 2024 (data.gov.sg update 2026-04-01)), Singapore Open Data Licence v1.0, retrieved 4 October 2026
- Singapore Department of Statistics (SingStat): Singapore Standard Occupational Classification (SSOC) 2024 (SSOC 2024 (definitions and index updated 2026-06-24)), Singapore Open Data Licence, retrieved 4 October 2026
- International Labour Organization, Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure (ILO Working Paper 140, Gmyrek et al.) (ILO Working Paper 140, May 2025, Annex Table A1), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 4 October 2026
Updated 4 October 2026