National
| Median wages (2008) |
$20.13 hourly, $41,870 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
46,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Slower than average (3% to 6%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
10,000 additional employees |
53-7021.00 - 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.
Sample of reported job titles:
Crane Operator, Overhead Crane Operator, Scrap Crane Operator, Mobile Crane Operator, Woodyard Crane Operator, Machine Operator, Port Crane Operator, Radio Control Crane Operator, Crane Man, Heavy Equipment Operator
Tasks
- Determine load weights and check them against lifting capacities to prevent overload.
- Move levers, depress foot pedals, and turn dials to operate cranes, cherry pickers, electromagnets, or other moving equipment for lifting, moving, and placing loads.
- Inspect cables and grappling devices for wear, and install or replace cables as needed.
- Clean, lubricate, and maintain mechanisms such as cables, pulleys, and grappling devices, making repairs as necessary.
- Inspect and adjust crane mechanisms and lifting accessories to prevent malfunctions and damage.
- Direct helpers engaged in placing blocking and outrigging under cranes.
- Load and unload bundles from trucks, and move containers to storage bins, using moving equipment.
- Weigh bundles, using floor scales, and record weights for company records.
- Review daily work and delivery schedules to determine orders, sequences of deliveries, and special loading instructions.
- Direct truck drivers backing vehicles into loading bays, and cover, uncover, and secure loads for delivery.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Below the hook device — Anti-two block devices; Lifting magnets; Spreaders; Tower attachments |
| Earthmoving buckets or its parts or accessories — Clamshell buckets; Orange peel buckets |
| Hammers — Ball peen hammers; Claw hammers; Sledgehammers |
| Lifting hooks — Clips; Lifting clamps; Shackles; Wedge sockets |
| Pile drivers — Drop hammers |
| Screwdrivers — Phillips head screwdrivers; Robertson screwdrivers; Straight screwdrivers |
| Tower cranes — Friction cranes; Jib cranes; Luffing jib cranes; Ringer cranes |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Data base user interface and query software — Data entry software |
| Industrial control software — Crane operation control software |
| Inventory management software — Inventory tracking software |
