Operate mechanical boom and cable or tower and cable equipment to lift and move materials, machines, or products in many directions.
Crane and Tower Operators
SOC: 53-7021 O*NET: 53-7021.00
Median Salary
$66,370
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
3.8
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
Operate mechanical boom and cable or tower and cable equipment to lift and move materials, machines, or products in many directions.
What does a Crane and Tower Operators do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$41,670
10th percentile
Early Career
$50,970
25th percentile
Median
$66,370
50th percentile
Experienced
$81,630
75th percentile
Top Earners
$102,400
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$41,670
25th
$50,970
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$66,370
Mean: $71,560
75th
$81,630
90th
$102,400
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $60,730 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $50,970 and $81,630
- •Salary spread is 46.2% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 42,000 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:42,300
Top Industries
Construction41.9%
Specialty Trade Contractors29.9%
Other Specialty Trade Contractors24.3%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3%
Annual Openings:3,800
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)42,300
Current
2034 (Projected)43,500
+3%
+1,300
Employment Change
+3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Crane and Tower Operators professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
6,650 jobs$72,8701.76x
Florida
2,460 jobs$70,1300.92x
Ohio
2,120 jobs$62,4601.41x
California
2,010 jobs$69,9700.41x
Georgia
1,780 jobs$67,2301.35x
Louisiana
1,750 jobs$61,1303.37x
Pennsylvania
1,650 jobs$57,7601.01x
Indiana
1,600 jobs$57,8901.84x
New York
1,330 jobs$110,0000.51x
Virginia
1,280 jobs$65,4001.16x
Michigan
1,210 jobs$77,1101.01x
Alabama
1,170 jobs$47,6202.06x
Arizona
1,110 jobs$67,9601.27x
North Carolina
1,100 jobs$62,0600.82x
Illinois
1,100 jobs$53,2400.67x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operation and Control
100%
#2
Operations Monitoring
92%
#3
Critical Thinking
86%
#4
Monitoring
78%
#5
Active Listening
70%
#6
Reading Comprehension
62%
#7
Speaking
56%
#8
Time Management
48%
#9
Judgment and Decision Making
40%
Skills Overview
Operation and Control
advanced5.0
100%
Operations Monitoring
advanced4.6
92%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.3
86%
Monitoring
intermediate3.9
78%
Active Listening
intermediate3.5
70%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.1
62%
Speaking
basic2.8
56%
Time Management
basic2.4
48%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operation and Control
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance92%
skills
4.6/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance78%
skills
3.9/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance62%
abilities
3.1/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance56%
skills
2.8/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance48%
skills
2.4/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Office Machine Operators, Except Computer100%
5 shared skills
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers90%
5 shared skills
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic90%
5 shared skills
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers90%
5 shared skills
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic80%
5 shared skills
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders80%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Speaking
- →Reading Comprehension
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Operation and Control
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Active Listening
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Crane and Tower Operators
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Excel
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🌤️
Location
MOSTLY OUTDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly outdoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
11
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (5)Operations & Execution (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Management & Supervision (2)Training & Development (1)
1
Determine load weights and check them against lifting capacities to prevent overload.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Move levers, depress foot pedals, or turn dials to operate cranes, cherry pickers, electromagnets, or other moving equipment for lifting, moving, or placing loads.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution97% perform98%
3
Inspect cables or grappling devices for wear and install or replace cables, as needed.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Clean, lubricate, and maintain mechanisms such as cables, pulleys, or grappling devices, making repairs, as necessary.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform94%
5
Inspect and adjust crane mechanisms or lifting accessories to prevent malfunctions or damage.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Direct helpers engaged in placing blocking or outrigging under cranes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision85% perform90%
7
Load or unload bundles from trucks, or move containers to storage bins, using moving equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Weigh bundles, using floor scales, and record weights for company records.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Review daily work or delivery schedules to determine orders, sequences of deliveries, or special loading instructions.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Training & Development76% perform84%
10
Direct truck drivers backing vehicles into loading bays and cover, uncover, or secure loads for delivery.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Management & Supervision73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •64% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Crane and Tower Operators
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Crane and Tower Operators professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Crane and Tower Operators
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.26
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.07
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.00
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.85
Stress Tolerance
ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level3.76
Concern for Others
ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level3.73
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.3
Attention to Detail
4.1
Self-Control
4.0
Cooperation
3.9
Stress Tolerance
3.8
Concern for Others
3.7
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.7
Integrity
3.7
Initiative
3.7
Independence
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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