what is a crane operator?

A crane operator controls hoisting equipment like clamps, elevating platforms, and forklifts to move products or people. As a crane operator, you assist with transporting materials to a worksite or warehouse. You load or unload trucks, depending on the crane you are using.

Crane operators also control movement platforms that carry people around a worksite. For instance, you control the platform transporting workers to vast heights or depths at a construction or mining site. Operating a crane requires great skill to maneuver the load to the right spot. After moving each shipment, you update the log and record the items or workers you moved at a particular time. You also carry out maintenance and repair tasks on crane equipment.

As a crane operator, you work on large-scale construction projects like high rises and major infrastructure jobs. You could also find work in quarries, mining sites, and manufacturing companies with large warehouses. Apart from mechanical aptitude, it would help to have the physical stamina to work in industrial settings for long hours. Your job also requires concentration when maneuvering the crane.

Would working as a crane operator suit your mechanical and concentration skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a crane operator role.

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average crane operator salary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of a crane operator is $65,220 per year. In an entry-level role, you take home a lower salary yearly. As you improve your skills and experience, your earnings increase gradually, and the highest salary in the role could exceed $93,410 annually.

The remuneration package depends on your experience, skills, and qualifications. While crane operators do not require extensive academic qualifications, they rely on experience and skills. When you have been working in the role for a couple of years, you develop expertise that increases your salary significantly.

The industry you work in also affects your earnings. For instance, working for the construction industry boost your chances of earning a higher salary due to the risks involved. Mining industries also pay lucrative salaries to crane operators. If you work for a large company, the unlimited resources at their disposal boost your salary prospects.

Wondering what you can earn as a crane operator? Find out immediately with the Randstad salary checker! You can quickly and easily see what the average salary of a crane operator is.

male looking away while operating a machine in a warehouse.
male looking away while operating a machine in a warehouse.
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types of crane operators

Some of the specialization options for crane operators include:

  • dogman crane operator: The dogman/rigger is responsible for the safe rigging of the load and directing the lifting and placing operations by the crane
  • rigger crane operator: A rigger crane operator is responsible for setting up pulleys, cables, ropes, and other equipment to lift large and heavy objects. The role of a rigger varies depending on the industry in which they work.
  • general crane operator: Your job is to lift or move material around a construction site using cranes. You monitor crane stability and work with an assistant to ensure the safe movement of products on a worksite.
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working as a crane operator

Working as a crane operator is an exciting career with specific duties, work schedules, and work environments. Explore the daily operations of a crane operator.

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crane operator skills and education

Although working as a crane operator can be challenging, it is a job you should still consider because it pays well and does not need years of advanced study. The steps to becoming a crane operator vary, depending on how far you want to go in this career. You could opt for basic crane operator courses and join an apprenticeship program after that. Alternatively, you could go for more advanced certifications and training to have the skills to operate the most specialized and sophisticated equipment, such as mobile cranes and boom trucks.

Cranes are powerful, expensive, and advanced machines that require the basics of science, technology, math, and reading to operate safely and maintain effectively. That said, you need a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) to become a crane operator. Once you are done with your GED or high school diploma, you could enroll in a trade school to get the training needed to develop the highly specialized skills required to work in the trades.

Certification is an essential component when it comes to crane operator training, and some companies may require a license issued by the state before they hire you as a crane operator. Most states across the country recognize the exams that the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) administer. Needless to say, it is important that you consider taking this type of exam so your career growth as a crane operator can be smooth sailing.

crane operator skills and competencies

Research shows that the U.S. only has around 44,000 crane operators, which means the job opportunities in this industry are lucrative. But as a crane operator, you need to have some skillsets to be successful. These include:

  • communication skills: You should be able to communicate effectively with supervisors to determine work schedules and daily tasks.
  • awareness and alertness: As a crane operator, you need to be alert and aware of your surrounding at all times to ensure safe maneuvering of the crane.
  • hand-eye coordination skill: Another skillset you should have as a crane operator is hand-eye coordination, which involves processing the information using your sight and then using your hand to promptly perform tasks related to the information you processed.
  • patience: As a crane driver, you should learn to be patient and able to remain calm in stressful situations. This can help prevent you from making rush decisions that may have irreversible consequences.
man close up looking away
man close up looking away
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FAQs about working as a crane operator

Here, you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about crane operators.

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