Crane and Tower Operators

What the job really is

Operate mechanical boom and cable or tower and cable equipment to lift and move materials, machines, or products in many directions.

At a glance

• Sector: Transportation & Material Moving
• O*NET-SOC code: 53-7021
• O*NET job zone: 3 — medium preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 11
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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.
• Inspect bundle packaging for conformance to regulations or customer requirements, and remove and batch packaging tickets.
• Direct truck drivers backing vehicles into loading bays and cover, uncover, or secure loads for delivery.
• Weigh bundles, using floor scales, and record weights for company records.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Windows, Adjustable wrenches, All-terrain cranes, Anemometers, Angle grinders, Anti-two block devices, Ball peen hammers, Barrel clamps, Bench vises

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Hoist and Winch Operators
• Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
• Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
• Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
• Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
• Riggers
• Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
• Pile Driver Operators

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 3 (medium preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Crane and Tower Operators — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.