Material Moving Workers

How to become a Crane and Tower Operator

Official title: Crane and Tower Operators

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

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

Main tasks

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.

How to become one

Education requirements vary by occupation. Crane and tower operators typically need work experience in a related occupation.

Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

Apprenticeship: Truck Crane Operator (Alternate Title: Crane Operator).
Licence: A licence is required in 15 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $68,080 a year The middle half earn $52,600 to $83,200.
About 42,900 people work in this job now, and about 44,500 are projected by 2035. (+3.8%)
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Crane and Tower Operator?

Education requirements vary by occupation. Crane and tower operators typically need work experience in a related occupation.

How much does a Crane and Tower Operator earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $68,080 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $52,600 to $83,200.

Is a Crane and Tower Operator a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4% by 2035, from about 42,900 to about 44,500 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Crane and Tower Operator?

Usually not. Only 4% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Truck Crane Operator (Alternate Title: Crane Operator).

Will AI change the work of a Crane and Tower Operator?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.