How to become a crane and tower operator
Operate mechanical boom and cable or tower and cable equipment to lift and move materials, machines, or products in many directions.
Steps to get there
Most employers expect most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree..Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
What crane and tower operators do
- 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.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Writing
- Mathematics
Is crane and tower operator a good career?
On the numbers, this job pays above the typical job. Median pay is 34% above the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.
Where it pays most
- Hawaii $124,260
- Nevada $115,840
- Washington $101,110
- New Jersey $100,640
- Massachusetts $98,150
Crane and Tower Operators salary by state and city
Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.