There are about 45,000 crane operators in the United States today. They are typically high school graduates making about $51,000 a year. There’s a need for more of them, by the way– annual growth is at 7.6% so now’s a good time to consider becoming a crane operator. If you are a good listener, critical thinker, dependable and enjoy manual labor, you might consider a career concerning cranes.

Basically, crane operators are responsible for the utilization of cranes to move objects from one place to another. From mobile cranes to tower cranes, there are several different types an operator may work with on a construction site.

An Overview of Being a Crane Operator

Typically, the crane operator’s chief job is to control heavy equipment using levers, wheels and/or foot pedals. Objects and materials need to be moved from one place to another in a timely, orderly, and safe manner. Operators often set up cranes, make minor repairs as needed, and end up tracking all the work they did so there’s a written/typed record of it.

Besides construction companies, crane operators are often found working in the mining industry, where they may help dig or expose mines as they move earth and rocks. They can also be found at pulp mills, refineries, in warehouses, and working with metal manufacturers.

Since cranes can be noisy, it’s important for operators to wear ear protection. Meanwhile, because the operator tends to stay in the crane cab for long periods of time, even eating meals in there, he or she will usually be in constant contact with other workers via a headset, walkie-talkies/radios, and/or hand signals.

While some people like to be crane operators all of their lives, others want to move on to different roles such as foreman, supervisor, or owner of a crane-related company.

To become a crane operator, usually a person starts with their high school diploma, followed by on-the-job training which typically lasts about a month. Apprenticeships may include on-the-job work as well as technical instruction/classroom learning. Safety is stressed in all matters. Eventually, crane operators become licensed after completing a skills test (where they show a teacher they know how to operate the crane in real life) and a written test (where they show they know the rules and operating procedures).

If you’re looking for certified crane operators in the New England area, learn how Astro Crane can help.