What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Crane and Tower Operators in the U.S. earn more than $68,080 a year — the middle 80% land between $42,640 and $103,570. About 42,890 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Crane and Tower Operators”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Plant and machine operators and assemblers earn about ₹17,329 a month on average — around ₹2.1 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$68,080typical pay / year
42,890people in this work
$103,570+top 10% earn
₹2.1 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Fixing3
Clean and lubricate crane mechanisms
+Clean and lubricate the hoist, trolley and slewing bearings this morning, follow the lockout checklist, use…
Clean and lubricate crane mechanisms
+Clean and lubricate the hoist, trolley and slewing bearings this morning, follow the lockout checklist, use the approved grease on the sheaves and wire guides, note amounts used in the maintenance log before handover at 16:00.
The tools that do the workInventory trackingESCOjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Inspect and replace cables as needed
+Inspect all load and hoist cables on the east crane at shift start, measure and record wear and core…
Inspect and replace cables as needed
+Inspect all load and hoist cables on the east crane at shift start, measure and record wear and core condition, tag any cable exceeding wear limits out of service, replace with the next certified cable from the stores and update the maintenance log before the afternoon handover.
The tools that do the workCrane operation controlInventory trackingjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Ensure stability of cranes during operation
+Set outriggers and cribbing for the north mobile crane, verify ground bearing pressure and level with the…
Ensure stability of cranes during operation
+Set outriggers and cribbing for the north mobile crane, verify ground bearing pressure and level with the site gauge, monitor boom position and wind limits during lifts, and record stability checks in the equipment log after each shift.
The tools that do the workCrane operation controljob descriptionsWikipedia
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The daily work17
Secure loads properly before lifting
+Secure the steel bundles for the 10:30 lift using rated slings and spreader bar, calculate sling angles…
Secure loads properly before lifting
+Secure the steel bundles for the 10:30 lift using rated slings and spreader bar, calculate sling angles against the 12-ton load chart, double-check shackles and taglines with ground crew, then sign off the lift plan before hoisting.
The tools that do the workCrane operation controljob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Inspect bundle packaging for conformance to regulations or customer requirements, and remove and batch packaging tickets.
+Inspect the incoming bundle packaging at bay 3 for damage and regulatory markings, remove each green…
Inspect bundle packaging for conformance to regulations or customer requirements, and remove and batch packaging tickets.
+Inspect the incoming bundle packaging at bay 3 for damage and regulatory markings, remove each green packaging ticket, batch them by customer code ACME, staple the batch cover sheet, and file the tickets in the compliance box before the 16:30 shift handover.
The tools that do the workInventory trackingO*NET
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Weigh bundles, using floor scales, and record weights for company records.
+Weigh each steel bundle on the floor scale, note the gross and net weights on the weigh sheet, calculate the…
Weigh bundles, using floor scales, and record weights for company records.
+Weigh each steel bundle on the floor scale, note the gross and net weights on the weigh sheet, calculate the average of three readings for each bundle, and enter the totals into the company weight register before the truck departure at 14:00.
The tools that do the workInventory trackingO*NET
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Record weights and locations of moved materials
+After placing materials in storage row B, record each bundle ID, its precise weight from the scale, and the…
Record weights and locations of moved materials
+After placing materials in storage row B, record each bundle ID, its precise weight from the scale, and the rack location on the movement log so inventory matches physical positions before the evening audit.
The tools that do the workInventory trackingjob descriptions
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Follow safety protocols and regulations during operations
+Before starting lifts today run the pre-op checklist, confirm exclusion zones, check taglines and harnesses,…
Follow safety protocols and regulations during operations
+Before starting lifts today run the pre-op checklist, confirm exclusion zones, check taglines and harnesses, verify load charts for each lift, and log compliance in the safety log so the shift supervisor can sign off at midday.
The tools that do the workCrane operation controlWikipedia
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Plan lifting operations based on site conditions
+Survey the site entrances, ground bearing, nearby powerlines and wind conditions, pick crane position and…
Plan lifting operations based on site conditions
+Survey the site entrances, ground bearing, nearby powerlines and wind conditions, pick crane position and sling arrangement for the 10-ton beam lift, produce the lift plan with capacities and pick points, and issue it to the rigging crew before first lift.
The tools that do the workCrane operation controlWikipedia
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Record operational data and maintenance activities
+Log today’s crane running hours, record any faults found on the boom, change the hydraulic filter at 1200…
Record operational data and maintenance activities
+Log today’s crane running hours, record any faults found on the boom, change the hydraulic filter at 1200 hours, note the parts used and next service due, and submit the maintenance record to engineering before leaving.
The tools that do the workCrane operation controlWikipedia
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Follow safety procedures when working at heights
+Start the morning rigging check at Tower A, walk the outriggers, inspect fall arrest points, confirm harness…
Follow safety procedures when working at heights
+Start the morning rigging check at Tower A, walk the outriggers, inspect fall arrest points, confirm harness tags for Liam and Marta, stop work if any anchor shows wear, and log the safety inspection before any lift above eight metres.
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Determine crane load
+Calculate the lift for the 12 tonne beam: measure rigging length, confirm slings and spreader capacity, apply…
Determine crane load
+Calculate the lift for the 12 tonne beam: measure rigging length, confirm slings and spreader capacity, apply the load chart for the current radius and boom angle, and report the safe working load and required counterweight to site foreman Tom.
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Operate lifting equipment
+Prepare the telehandler and crane winch for the afternoon lift: verify rated lifting gear, fit the correct…
Operate lifting equipment
+Prepare the telehandler and crane winch for the afternoon lift: verify rated lifting gear, fit the correct slings and hooks for the palletised generators, conduct a trial lift three centimetres off the ground, and only proceed if there is no twist or sling slip.
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Operate cranes
+Run a controlled pick of the HVAC unit from dock B: set boom to the planned radius, station a signaler at…
Operate cranes
+Run a controlled pick of the HVAC unit from dock B: set boom to the planned radius, station a signaler at portside, monitor load moment and drift while slewing, and lower the unit into position only when banksman Sara gives the final hand signal.
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Handle cargo
+Unload the shipping container at Gate 4: check pallet weights against the manifest, tag damaged cartons,…
Handle cargo
+Unload the shipping container at Gate 4: check pallet weights against the manifest, tag damaged cartons, balance the pallet loads on the hook, and move cargo to the temporary storage rack under supervision of warehouse lead Diego.
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Operate railway lever frames
+Take control of the yard frame at Platform South: inspect interlocks and points, follow the signal diagram…
Operate railway lever frames
+Take control of the yard frame at Platform South: inspect interlocks and points, follow the signal diagram for route setting, lock the frame for the scheduled wagon move at 14:30, and confirm with signaller Nia before operating any levers.
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Apply various lifting techniques
+Practice and record the boom, trolley and hook configurations for the 20‑ton lattice crane on Site B,…
Apply various lifting techniques
+Practice and record the boom, trolley and hook configurations for the 20‑ton lattice crane on Site B, demonstrate three different hitch types and two multi‑leg rigging patterns under load charts, note any snatch or swing issues and sign off that all motions met the safety brief.
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Determine the load's centre of gravity
+Measure and log the physical dimensions and weight distribution of the palletised HVAC unit, calculate the…
Determine the load's centre of gravity
+Measure and log the physical dimensions and weight distribution of the palletised HVAC unit, calculate the centre of gravity from the measured offsets and rigging points, select the correct spreader bar and sling arrangement from the load chart, and confirm lift stability before trial hoist.
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Inventory tracking
+log today's load movements and equipment hours into the inventory tracking for Pier 7, record each container…
Inventory tracking
+log today's load movements and equipment hours into the inventory tracking for Pier 7, record each container ID, weight, start and finish time, and note any damaged lift slings before I sign off at 17:00.
The tools that do the workCrane operation controlO*NET
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Crane operation control
+Enter crane operation control details for load lift C-17 at Pier 4, include hook block used, wind speed,…
Crane operation control
+Enter crane operation control details for load lift C-17 at Pier 4, include hook block used, wind speed, operator initials, and any hold/reposition commands, then save the shift record and alert site safety if limits were exceeded.
The tools that do the workCrane operation controlO*NET
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Keeping the record1
Review daily work or delivery schedules
+Review today’s delivery roster and sequencing for berth three, confirm crane assignments and estimated start…
Review daily work or delivery schedules
+Review today’s delivery roster and sequencing for berth three, confirm crane assignments and estimated start times, flag any late containers to logistics and update the shift board before the 07:00 briefing.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Officejob descriptionsO*NET
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Move1
Communicate with ground personnel using signals or radios
+Establish radio channel and hand signal plan with ground riggers before the 08:00 lift, confirm each rigger’s…
Communicate with ground personnel using signals or radios
+Establish radio channel and hand signal plan with ground riggers before the 08:00 lift, confirm each rigger’s role and emergency stop signal, run a short communications check, and note any misunderstandings in the shift report.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Officejob descriptionsWikipedia
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses