Occupations/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.
Usually a certificate, vocational program, or associate degree — not a bachelor’s.
AI automation risk
59%
Mixed exposure
Human characteristics
44%
Balanced human and task mix
Task orientation
59%
Mixed exposure
A day in this job
- Mostly routine
Move levers, depress foot pedals, or turn dials to operate cranes, cherry pickers, electromagnets, or other moving equipment for lifting, moving, or placing loads.
- Mostly routine
Inspect and adjust crane mechanisms or lifting accessories to prevent malfunctions or damage.
- Mostly routine
Inspect cables or grappling devices for wear and install or replace cables, as needed.
The tasks we can read here lean routine. That sits next to the AI risk rank — it is not a forecast that the job disappears.
Core tasks
- 01Determine load weights and check them against lifting capacities to prevent overload.
- 02Move levers, depress foot pedals, or turn dials to operate cranes, cherry pickers, electromagnets, or other moving equipment for lifting, moving, or placing loads.
- 03Inspect and adjust crane mechanisms or lifting accessories to prevent malfunctions or damage.
- 04Inspect cables or grappling devices for wear and install or replace cables, as needed.
- 05Direct helpers engaged in placing blocking or outrigging under cranes.
- 06Clean, lubricate, and maintain mechanisms such as cables, pulleys, or grappling devices, making repairs, as necessary.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks2.96
- Degree of automation2.13
- Time sitting3.38
- Originality (ability)2.38
- Conflict situations2.57
- Hands-on objects/tools4.26
- Outdoors / weather3.79
- Disease exposure1.07
- Decision freedom4.00
Top abilities
- Control Precision4.12
- Multilimb Coordination4.00
- Far Vision3.88
- Depth Perception3.88
- Reaction Time3.75
- Rate Control3.75
- Problem Sensitivity3.62
- Arm-Hand Steadiness3.62
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension3.00
- Active Listening3.12
- Writing2.62
- Speaking3.00
- Mathematics2.62
- Science1.12
- Critical Thinking3.25
- Active Learning2.88
- Learning Strategies2.25
- Monitoring3.12
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
2 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Century College White Bear Lake, MN · Public | Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation 49.0202 | $6,000 | 100% | 31% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Certificate · CIP 49.02 |
Anoka-Ramsey Community College Coon Rapids, MN · Public | Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation 49.0202 | $5,800 | 100% | 33% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Certificate · CIP 49.02 |