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Transportation53-7021.00Specialization

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.

$64,690
Median Pay
6 months to 2 years
Training
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Material Moving Workers

Career Overview Video

AI Impact Assessment

AI Resilience Score

Score 3/6: low AI task exposure, limited human advantage means AI will assist but humans remain essential

🟡AI-Augmented

How we calculated this:

AI Exposure
Low+2

18% of tasks can be accelerated by AI

Job Growth
Stable+1

+3% projected (2024-2034)

Human Advantage
Weak+0

EPOCH score: 11/25

Total Score3/6
Methodology: v2.0 - GPTs are GPTs / BLS / EPOCH Additive ScoringUpdated: 2026-01-09
View full methodology →

Key Responsibilities

  • 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.
  • 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.

Education & Training

Typical Entry Education

Post-secondary certificate

Time to Job Ready

1-3 years

Based on Job Zone 3. For formal education duration only, see education_duration.

Technology Skills

Load monitoring systemsMicrosoft OfficeSafety trackingMaintenance documentation

Key Abilities

Control PrecisionMultilimb CoordinationFar VisionDepth PerceptionRate ControlReaction TimeProblem SensitivityArm-Hand SteadinessSelective AttentionManual Dexterity

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Compensation Details

$39,200
10th Percentile
$64,690
Median
$98,820
90th Percentile

Based on 42,260 employed workers

Also Known As

Acid Crane OperatorBoom Cat OperatorBoom Crane OperatorBoomswing OperatorBottom Crane OperatorBridge Crane OperatorBurial Vault Deliverer and InstallerCantilever Crane OperatorCathead OperatorCell Tower Technician (Cell Tower Tech)

Data from O*NET 30.1 and BLS Occupational Employment Statistics

O*NET Code: 53-7021.00