Careers · Explore one path
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.
Other titles employers use
Crane Operator · Heavy Equipment Operator · Machine Operator · Mobile Crane Operator · Overhead Crane Operator · Port Crane Operator · Scrap Crane Operator · Winchman
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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 and adjust crane mechanisms or lifting accessories to prevent malfunctions or damage.
- Inspect cables or grappling devices for wear and install or replace cables, as needed.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical and organizing work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Operation and Control
- Operations Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
Subjects to know
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
Useful strengths
- Control Precision
- Multilimb Coordination
- Far Vision
- Depth Perception
- Rate Control
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 2.9 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 2.5 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.5 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 4.3 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A certificate or some college 61%
- High school or less 39%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Electronic mail software
- Operating system software
- Industrial control software
- Inventory management software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 8,610
- Job openings each year
- 840
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 11.7%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 8,610 | 840 | 11.7% |
| California | 3,400 | 320 | 9.7% |
| Florida | 2,560 | 250 | 12.3% |
| Ohio | 2,090 | 190 | — |
| Louisiana | 2,040 | 190 | 6.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 2,020 | 190 | — |
| Indiana | 1,700 | 160 | — |
| Washington | 1,540 | 170 | 13.2% |
| Virginia | 1,450 | 130 | 2.8% |
| Michigan | 1,210 | 110 | −1.6% |
| North Carolina | 1,180 | 110 | 8.3% |
| New York | 1,150 | 0 | 2.7% |
| Alabama | 1,100 | 110 | 8.9% |
| Georgia | 1,010 | 100 | 12.2% |
| Arkansas | 990 | 100 | 7.6% |
| South Carolina | 920 | 90 | 9.5% |
| Tennessee | 920 | 90 | 21.1% |
| Illinois | 870 | 80 | 3.6% |
| Arizona | 840 | 80 | 15.1% |
| New Jersey | 700 | 70 | 7.7% |
| Kentucky | 690 | 60 | 3.0% |
| Colorado | 640 | 60 | 6.7% |
| Missouri | 640 | 60 | 4.9% |
| Wisconsin | 630 | 60 | 10.5% |
| Oklahoma | 620 | 60 | 5.1% |
| West Virginia | 550 | 50 | 3.8% |
| Kansas | 540 | 50 | 8.0% |
| Mississippi | 520 | 50 | 8.3% |
| Utah | 520 | 50 | 23.8% |
| Nebraska | 480 | 50 | 9.1% |
| Iowa | 430 | 40 | 4.9% |
| Maryland | 430 | 40 | 7.5% |
| Connecticut | 380 | 40 | 11.8% |
| Idaho | 380 | 40 | 18.8% |
| North Dakota | 370 | 40 | 12.1% |
| Maine | 350 | 30 | −5.4% |
| Nevada | 350 | 30 | 6.1% |
| Oregon | 250 | 30 | 13.6% |
| Massachusetts | 230 | 20 | 4.5% |
| Minnesota | 200 | 20 | 5.3% |
| Puerto Rico | 200 | 20 | 11.1% |
| Montana | 190 | 20 | 18.8% |
| Wyoming | 160 | 20 | 23.1% |
| South Dakota | 110 | 10 | 10.0% |
| Vermont | 100 | 10 | — |
| Alaska | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| New Mexico | 80 | 10 | — |
| Delaware | 70 | 10 | — |
| New Hampshire | 60 | 10 | — |
| Guam | 50 | 10 | −16.7% |
| Rhode Island | 20 | 0 | — |
| Virgin Islands | 10 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.