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Skilled Trades

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.

Median salary (BLS)

$68,080

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$43k – $104k

Job outlook

+3% (about average)

AI exposure

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $70,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Crane and Tower Operators

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: No degree (trade/license)

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

  1. 1

    Registered apprenticeship (paid)

    Experience

    Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.

    $0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    Journeyman exam & state/local license

    License

    Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.

    $100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Crane and Tower Operators" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Crane and Tower Operators

    Entry / Junior

    $42,640

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Crane and Tower Operators

    Established

    $68,080

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Crane and Tower Operators

    Senior

    $85,825

Key skills

A typical day

  • •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.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Skilled Trades

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.