Crane & Tower Operators

At a Glance

Median Salary
$67,543

Local Jobs
339

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 occupation

Local Jobs

339

Jobs are any position in which a worker provides labor in exchange for monetary compensation (note: one individual may hold multiple jobs)

Entry-Level Education

Certification

This is the most common education level requested in entry-level job listings.

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 Crane & Tower Operators?

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.

Education Programs

Craft Training Center

Mobile Crane Operations

Marene Cheatham

Craft Training Center

(361) 289-1636 ext. 311

mcheatham@ctccb.org

Program Type	Credential Type	Level	Required Hours	Online	Finanical Aid
CTE	NCCER		252	No	No

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