Crane and Tower Operators
O*NET Code: 53-7021.00
Education Level
Zone 3 - Medium Prep
Associate degree or apprenticeship
Description
Operate mechanical boom and cable or tower and cable equipment to lift and move materials, machines, or products in many directions.
🗺️ Explore Your Career Path
Visualize advancement opportunities, lateral moves, and skill development roadmaps. See interactive career maps showing transition difficulty and salary progression.
💼 Also Known As
Acid Crane OperatorBoom Cat OperatorBoom Crane OperatorBoomswing OperatorBottom Crane OperatorBridge Crane OperatorBurial Vault Deliverer and InstallerCantilever Crane OperatorCathead OperatorCell Tower Technician (Cell Tower Tech)Certified Crane OperatorCharging Crane OperatorCherry Picker OperatorCinder Dump Crane OperatorCinder Pit Crane OperatorClamshell OperatorCoal Tower OperatorCoke Crane OperatorCrane DriverCrane Ladle Person
⚡ Skills (9)
Operation and Control4/100
Operations Monitoring4/100
Critical Thinking3/100
Active Listening3/100
Monitoring3/100
Reading Comprehension3/100
Speaking3/100
Judgment and Decision Making3/100
Time Management3/100
📚 Knowledge (0)
💪 Abilities (0)
🔧 Technologies & Tools (6)
🔥Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet software
🔥Microsoft Office software
Office suite software
🔥Microsoft Outlook
Electronic mail software
🔥Microsoft Windows
Operating system software
0Crane operation control software
Industrial control software
0Inventory tracking software
Inventory management software
🔄 Career Transition Paths
Occupations with similar skills and natural career progression opportunities
Construction Laborers
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 2 - Some Prep(↓1 level)
Pile Driver Operators
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 2 - Some Prep(↓1 level)
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 2 - Some Prep(↓1 level)
Structural Iron and Steel Workers
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 2 - Some Prep(↓1 level)
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 2 - Some Prep(↓1 level)
Continuous Mining Machine Operators
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 2 - Some Prep(↓1 level)
Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 2 - Some Prep(↓1 level)
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 3 - Medium Prep
Industrial Machinery Mechanics
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 3 - Medium Prep
Maintenance Workers, Machinery
Salary: $50,000
Education: Zone 3 - Medium Prep
📊 Skills Comparison
Crane and Tower Operators → Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Transition Difficulty: Easy (71% skill overlap)
✅ Transferable Skills (5)
Skills you already have that transfer to the new role
Operation and Control
Current: 4Target: 4
→
Operations Monitoring
Current: 4Target: 3
→
Monitoring
Current: 3Target: 3
→
Active Listening
Current: 3Target: 3
→
Time Management
Current: 3Target: 3
→