Also called: Gantry Crane Operator, Container Crane Operator
Sits in a cab 150 feet up and lifts 40-ton containers on and off ships.
From a glass-floored cab high above the dock, the operator lowers a 'spreader' into the ship's hold, locks onto a container, and swings it onto a waiting truck, about 30-40 moves an hour. Precision and focus matter: a sway in the wrong direction can damage cargo or people below.
BLS median for all crane operators is about $66k; union port crane operators on the West and East Coasts often earn $150k-$250k+.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 3 years after high school. No degree; usually start as a union longshore worker and earn the crane seat through seniority and port training.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Apprenticeship. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Crane Operation (port training program).
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years).
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. Remote-operated and automated cranes are spreading; US union deals slow it to about 2030, then fewer seats are likely.
Classes: Physics, Driver's ed, Shop class.
Official data: O*NET occupation 53-7021.
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