Crane and Tower Operators
SOC Code: 53-7021 Job Zone 3: Medium Preparation Needed
Operate mechanical boom and cable or tower and cable equipment to lift and move materials, machines, or products in many directions.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Crane and Tower Operators. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Binghamton, NY | $69,368 | $106,870 | $144,373 | $181,875 |
| Kingston, NY | $69,368 | $106,870 | $144,373 | $181,875 |
| Ithaca, NY | $50,939 | $93,850 | $136,760 | $179,670 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $49,338 | $92,123 | $134,930 | $177,715 |
| Southwest New York nonmetropolitan area | $48,963 | $91,790 | $134,597 | $177,424 |
| Elmira, NY | $48,963 | $90,501 | $132,018 | $173,555 |
| Rochester, NY | $48,048 | $87,651 | $127,275 | $166,878 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $72,696 | $102,773 | $132,870 | $162,947 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $72,862 | $102,731 | $132,579 | $162,448 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $59,987 | $91,770 | $123,531 | $155,314 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Operation and Control | 3.9 | |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.8 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.2 | |
| Active Listening | 3.1 | |
| Monitoring | 3.1 | |
| Speaking | 3.0 | |
| Time Management | 3.0 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.0 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.9 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Mechanical | 3.5 |
| Mathematics | 3.0 |
| Transportation | 2.9 |
| English Language | 2.9 |
| Public Safety and Security | 2.8 |
| Building and Construction | 2.7 |
| Education and Training | 2.6 |
| Production and Processing | 2.5 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Some college | 60.6% |
| High school diploma | 31.5% |
| Less than high school | 7.8% |
Typical Tasks
- 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 cables or grappling devices for wear and install or replace cables, as needed.
- Clean, lubricate, and maintain mechanisms such as cables, pulleys, or grappling devices, making repairs, as necessary.
- Inspect and adjust crane mechanisms or lifting accessories to prevent malfunctions or damage.
- Direct helpers engaged in placing blocking or outrigging under cranes.
- Load or unload bundles from trucks, or move containers to storage bins, using moving equipment.
- Review daily work or delivery schedules to determine orders, sequences of deliveries, or special loading instructions.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Windows Crane operation control software Inventory tracking software
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