Also called: Heavy Lift Crane Operator
Operates the giant cranes that lift turbine towers, nacelles, and blades into place.
You run a 600-ton crane, lifting a nacelle the weight of 10 school buses to the top of a tower, waiting for the wind to calm before each lift.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Certificate, about 1 year after high school. NCCCO crane certification plus years of experience or apprenticeship.
Ways in: Certification, Apprenticeship, On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Crane Operation (certificate).
Growing about average (about 4% over 10 years).
Low risk for 10 years. Crane sensors and load computers assist, but lifting 80-ton nacelles in shifting wind takes an experienced operator.
Classes: Physics, Driver's education, Geometry.
Official data: O*NET occupation 53-7021.
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