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 slewing ring, hoist drum bearings and wire rope sheaves today before the 0700 shift,…
Clean and lubricate crane mechanisms
+Clean and lubricate the slewing ring, hoist drum bearings and wire rope sheaves today before the 0700 shift, confirm grease specs match the maintenance card, log parts used and photograph each serviced point.
The tools that do the workInventory trackingESCOjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Inspect and replace cables as needed
+Inspect all main and auxiliary hoist cables for broken wires, corrosion, or kinks, replace any cable showing…
Inspect and replace cables as needed
+Inspect all main and auxiliary hoist cables for broken wires, corrosion, or kinks, replace any cable showing more than three adjacent broken strands or corrosion tonight, tag the replaced cable with new serial and record the change.
The tools that do the workCrane operation controlInventory trackingjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Secure loads properly before lifting
+Secure the shipment of steel beams by fitting rated slings, balance the lift so the load does not exceed the…
Secure loads properly before lifting
+Secure the shipment of steel beams by fitting rated slings, balance the lift so the load does not exceed the crane's chart, attach certified hooks with safety latches, and get the sign-off from the rigger before lifting at 1400.
The tools that do the workCrane operation controljob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Protecting3
Review daily work or delivery schedules
+Review today's delivery schedule and site access notes, confirm slot times for two lifts at Pier 4 between…
Review daily work or delivery schedules
+Review today's delivery schedule and site access notes, confirm slot times for two lifts at Pier 4 between 0900 and 1200, note the contact for offload as Maria Diaz, and flag any sequence conflicts for the foreman by 0700.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptionsO*NET
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Ensure stability of cranes during operation
+Before the first lift, check outriggers and ground pads are set on firm bearing, confirm crane grade is…
Ensure stability of cranes during operation
+Before the first lift, check outriggers and ground pads are set on firm bearing, confirm crane grade is within tolerance, level the upper works and verify counterweight pins are secured, then mark stability check complete on the safety log.
The tools that do the workCrane operation controljob descriptionsWikipedia
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Communicate with ground personnel using signals or radios
+Establish radio channel Bravo with ground crew, agree hand signals with signaler John Harris, run a…
Communicate with ground personnel using signals or radios
+Establish radio channel Bravo with ground crew, agree hand signals with signaler John Harris, run a dry-communications check before the 0800 lifts, and record any signal changes in the shift handover notes.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptionsWikipedia
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The daily work17
Inspect bundle packaging for conformance to regulations or customer requirements, and remove and batch packaging tickets.
+Inspect the outgoing bundle packaging at the dock for regulatory and customer spec compliance, remove the…
Inspect bundle packaging for conformance to regulations or customer requirements, and remove and batch packaging tickets.
+Inspect the outgoing bundle packaging at the dock for regulatory and customer spec compliance, remove the attached packaging tickets, batch them by order number, and stage the bundles for collection if all markings and seals pass inspection today.
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 timber bundle on the floor scale, note the gross and net weights on the weigh slips, photograph…
Weigh bundles, using floor scales, and record weights for company records.
+Weigh each timber bundle on the floor scale, note the gross and net weights on the weigh slips, photograph the scale readout for verification, and enter the final weights into the company records before the end of shift.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Record weights and locations of moved materials
+After moving materials today, record each item's weight and its current laydown location on the site log,…
Record weights and locations of moved materials
+After moving materials today, record each item's weight and its current laydown location on the site log, include trailer or bay number and time moved, and update the asset location register so operations can find them tomorrow.
The tools that do the workInventory trackingjob descriptions
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Follow safety protocols and regulations during operations
+Follow all site safety protocols while operating today: complete the pre-start checklist, wear fall…
Follow safety protocols and regulations during operations
+Follow all site safety protocols while operating today: complete the pre-start checklist, wear fall protection when working at height, use taglines on suspended loads, stop work if unsafe, and log any near misses in the safety file immediately.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OfficeWikipedia
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Plan lifting operations based on site conditions
+Plan the next lift by surveying site ground conditions, measuring clearances, calculating load weight and…
Plan lifting operations based on site conditions
+Plan the next lift by surveying site ground conditions, measuring clearances, calculating load weight and radius, choose rigging and crane positioning, confirm exclusion zones with the foreman and publish the lift plan before the crew starts.
The tools that do the workCrane operation controlWikipedia
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Record operational data and maintenance activities
+Log today’s operating hours, fuel usage, any faults found during checks, and completed maintenance tasks in…
Record operational data and maintenance activities
+Log today’s operating hours, fuel usage, any faults found during checks, and completed maintenance tasks in the equipment logbook, attach photos of defects, and notify maintenance if any item needs follow-up before the next shift.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelWikipedia
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Apply various lifting techniques
+Set up the lift plan for the 20-ton pipe bundle on the east yard, choose cradle and spreader bar lifts, note…
Apply various lifting techniques
+Set up the lift plan for the 20-ton pipe bundle on the east yard, choose cradle and spreader bar lifts, note taglines and personnel positions, run a trial lift to one foot, confirm swing clearance and rigging angles, then document safety checks and sign off.
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Determine the load's centre of gravity
+Measure and record the 12,000 kg transformer dimensions and lifting points, calculate the centre of gravity…
Determine the load's centre of gravity
+Measure and record the 12,000 kg transformer dimensions and lifting points, calculate the centre of gravity relative to the skid, mark the lift rigging pick point, verify balance with a one-foot test lift, then log the final COG location and adjustments.
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Follow safety procedures when working at heights
+Inspect and don the approved harness and lanyard, confirm the anchor point is rated and tagged, tag the work…
Follow safety procedures when working at heights
+Inspect and don the approved harness and lanyard, confirm the anchor point is rated and tagged, tag the work area with a buddy and radio check, then perform the height task only after the rescue plan is reviewed and everyone acknowledges the controls.
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Determine crane load
+Calculate the lift by measuring load weight, add rigging and hook blocks, compare total to the crane's chart…
Determine crane load
+Calculate the lift by measuring load weight, add rigging and hook blocks, compare total to the crane's chart and pick a safer lower radius or reduce load until well within the permitted capacity, then log the calculation and sign off.
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Operate lifting equipment
+Verify lift plan and tag line configuration, inspect slings and shackles for defects, set out travel path and…
Operate lifting equipment
+Verify lift plan and tag line configuration, inspect slings and shackles for defects, set out travel path and banksman positions, engage the lifting gear at low test lift, then complete the lift following slow, controlled motions and constant comms.
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Operate cranes
+Run the prestart checklist, confirm outrigger placement and ground bearing, establish signal person and…
Operate cranes
+Run the prestart checklist, confirm outrigger placement and ground bearing, establish signal person and exclusion zone, select the correct boom and counterweight, then manoeuvre the crane with stepwise checks and clear communications to position the load.
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Handle cargo
+Confirm cargo manifest and weight, plan the skid and sling layout, secure the load with correct lifting…
Handle cargo
+Confirm cargo manifest and weight, plan the skid and sling layout, secure the load with correct lifting points and tag lines, coordinate handover with the receiver, and move cargo along the approved route with slow, supported lifts.
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Operate railway lever frames
+Check the signal diagrams and interlock status, test the lever frame neutral returns, confirm track…
Operate railway lever frames
+Check the signal diagrams and interlock status, test the lever frame neutral returns, confirm track possession and points locks, then operate the levers to set routes only after verbal clearance and signal confirmation from signaller.
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Inventory tracking
+Update inventory tracking with hydraulic oil, cutting teeth, and spare filters withdrawn from the yard for…
Inventory tracking
+Update inventory tracking with hydraulic oil, cutting teeth, and spare filters withdrawn from the yard for the 320 excavator, record hours on machine, invoice number, and request replenishment for filters under ten units.
The tools that do the workInventory trackingO*NET
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Inventory tracking
+Count spare pins, hydraulic hoses and fuel cans from Yard 4, compare to last week's issue sheets, then enter…
Inventory tracking
+Count spare pins, hydraulic hoses and fuel cans from Yard 4, compare to last week's issue sheets, then enter the adjustments into the inventory tracking and tag any missing critical items for immediate procurement.
The tools that do the workInventory trackingO*NET
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Crane operation control
+log today's crane operation control entry for the 50-ton lattice boom at Pier 7, noting lift times, load…
Crane operation control
+log today's crane operation control entry for the 50-ton lattice boom at Pier 7, noting lift times, load weights, operator John Martinez, and any safety holds before I sign for the shift report.
The tools that do the workCrane operation controlO*NET
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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