Crane and Tower Operators
Architecture & Construction · Construction
Pay and outlook shown for
New workers start near $44,190; experienced workers reach $93,200. About 270 people do this job in San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX.
Job outlook
Alamo region (San Antonio and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034; U.S. figures from the BLS.
- Employment change
- +10.6%
- Openings a year
- 31
- Employed in 2024
- 311
Typical entry education: High school diploma or equivalent · Experience: Less than 5 years · Training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Alamo Colleges programs that lead here
No program is mapped to this career yet. Many careers start from a transfer pre-major or a related program.
Browse all programsSkills this career uses
The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.
- Operation and Control3.5
- Operations Monitoring3.3
- Critical Thinking3.0
- Active Listening3.0
- Monitoring3.0
- Reading Comprehension3.0
- Speaking2.9
- Time Management2.9
What the work is
Operate mechanical boom and cable or tower and cable equipment to lift and move materials, machines, or products in many directions.
- 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.
Education people in this job have
Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.
- High school or less39%
- Certificate61%
Job zone 3, medium preparation: Training, an associate degree, or a few years of related experience.
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