Crane & Tower Operators
At a glance
- Median Salary$67,543
- Local Jobs339
Entry-Level Education
Certification
Occupation Profile
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 cables or grappling devices for wear and install or replace cables, as needed. Inspect and adjust crane mechanisms or lifting accessories to prevent malfunctions or damage. Direct helpers engaged in placing blocking or outrigging under cranes.
By the Numbers
Median annual earnings$67,543
Median Annual Earnings are the midpoint earned by 50 percent of workers who are the lowest paid and 50 percent of workers who are the highest paid in a particular occupationLocal Jobs339
Median Annual Earnings are the midpoint earned by 50 percent of workers who are the lowest paid and 50 percent of workers who are the highest paid in a particular occupationEntry-level educationCertification
Median Annual Earnings are the midpoint earned by 50 percent of workers who are the lowest paid and 50 percent of workers who are the highest paid in a particular occupation
Daily Tasks
- 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 cables or grappling devices for wear and install or replace cables, as needed.
- Inspect and adjust crane mechanisms or lifting accessories to prevent malfunctions or damage.
- 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.
Occupational Skills
What skills are necessary for a Crane & Tower Operators career?
Hard Skills
- Antenna
- Balancing (Ledger/Billing)
- Calculations
- Digital Transformation
- Equipment Inspection
- Hand Tools
- Hoisting
- Industrial Construction
- Machinery
- Power Tool Operation
Soft Skills
- Communications
- Hand Signals
- Lifting Ability
- Management
- Operations
- Self-Motivation
- Troubleshooting (Problem Solving)
- Valid Driver's License
- Wireless Communications
- Writing
Hard skills are specific, learnable, measurable, often industry- or occupation-specific abilities related to a position.
Soft skills can be self-taught and usually do not necessitate a certain completed level of education. They are essential in many industries and occupations.
Educational Programs
Crane and Tower Operators
Del Mar College
| Type | Credential | Hrs | Online | Financial Aid |
| CE | Certificate | varies | No | Yes |
Mobile Crane Operations
Craft Training Center
| Type | Credential | Hrs | Online | Financial Aid |
| CTE | No | No |
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