Mobile Crane Operator

Drives and operates truck-mounted and crawler cranes on job sites.

A day in the life

You set up outriggers, calculate the load chart, and lift HVAC units onto a roof by radio signals.

Pay over a career

Starting

$42k

Typical

$67k

High

$100k

Training

Certificate, about 2 years after high school. Operating engineers apprenticeship or crane school plus NCCCO certification.

Ways in: Apprenticeship, Trade school, Certification. Training cost: Get paid while you train.

Majors to look at: Crane Operation (trade school), Operating Engineers Apprenticeship.

Outlook

Growing faster than average (about 5% over 10 years).

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. Crane computers and load-moment limits automate safety checks; setting up and operating on varied job sites stays human.

Start now, in high school

Classes: Physics, Geometry, Auto or diesel CTE.

• Earn OSHA-10 Construction
• Compete in SkillsUSA Heavy Equipment or Diesel
• Try a crane or excavator simulator at a union open house

Official data: O*NET occupation 53-7021.

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Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.