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.
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. The role reports a median annual salary of $66,370 in the US and is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Entry typically requires a High school diploma or equivalent, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.42 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Monitoring.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £46,463 a year for Crane drivers (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 8221). ONS rates this estimate acceptable: it rests on a small sample, so treat it as a rough guide. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Plant and machine operators and assemblers” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Crane and tower operators, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 8. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- Transportation
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Building and Construction
- Education and Training
- Production and Processing
What you'd actually do
- 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.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Crane and tower operators do?
Operate mechanical boom and cable or tower and cable equipment to lift and move materials, machines, or products in many directions.
How much does Crane and tower operators earn?
The median annual salary for Crane and tower operators in the US is $66,370.
What is the job outlook for Crane and tower operators?
The role is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Current US employment is approximately 42,300 workers.
How do I become crane and tower operators?
The typical entry education is a High school diploma or equivalent. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Crane and tower operators need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Monitoring, Reading Comprehension. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Crane and tower operators?
Our AI-durability model gives Crane and tower operators a score of 0.42 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Crane and tower operators has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.