Crane Operator Salary

Crane Operator Salary – Longshoreman crane operator salary: Moving heavy objects and materials is an essential task in many industries like construction, manufacturing, and mining. Cranes are machines that lift and move large objects using suspended wires or chains and are commonly used in building and bridge construction. Formal education is not required to become a crane operator since necessary skills can be acquired through on-the-job experience.

Crane Operator Salary
Longshoreman crane operator salary

Tower crane operator salary

As of Jul 30, 2019, the average annual pay for a Tower Crane Operator in the United States is $71,859 a year.

While seeing annual salaries as high as $115,500 and as low as $49,500, the majority of Tower Crane Operator salaries currently range between $52,000 (25th percentile) to $90,000 (75th percentile) across the United States.

The average pay range for a Tower Crane Operator varies modestly (up to $38,000), which suggests there may be fewer opportunities for advancement based on skill level, but increased pay based on location and years of experience is still possible.

Based on recent job posting activity, the Tower Crane Operator job market is not very active as few companies are currently hiring. People working as a Tower Crane Operator in your area are making on average $71,859 per year or the same as the national average annual salary of $71,859. ranks number 1 out of 50 states nationwide for Tower Crane Operator salaries.

Income Range:

  • The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average annual income of crane and tower crane operators was $50,000
  • This annual income figure is based on an average wage of $24.00 an hour and 2,080 hours of work per year.
  • The top 10 percent of crane operators made more than $78,850 a year, while the bottom 10 percent earned less than $28,680.
  • Half of all workers in the occupation had annual incomes between $35,510 and $ 61,060.

Union crane operator salary

The top States. Data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that:

  • Alaska was the highest paying state for crane operators in May 2011 and that workers in the state earned $77,800 a year on average.
  • Average incomes in other top states included $73,270 in Washington, $71,490 in Nevada and $68,390 in Hawaii.
  • Texas employed the most crane operators of any state, and workers in Texas made $46,830 a year on average.
Union crane operator salary
Longshoreman crane operator salary

Top industries in the US

Top Industries. Many sub-industries within the manufacturing and construction industries hire crane operators to assist with the moving of materials. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that:

  • Crane operators working for specialty trade contractors made $59,040 a year on average in May 2011,
  • workers involved in support activities for water transportation earned $58,660 on average and,
  • operators working in the iron and steel milling industries made $45,710 on average.
  • Crane operators performing support activities for mining made $47,010 on average and,
  • operators engaged in nonresidential building construction earned $53,070 on average.
Top industries in the US
Longshoreman crane operator salary

Crane Operator jobs

Job Outlook: The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects jobs for crane operators to grow 16 percent from 2010 to 2020, which is two percentage points higher than the national average for all jobs.

Employment growth is likely to be driven by a recovery in the construction industry and increased need for crane operators at ports to load and unload cargo ships.

The Bureau expects 31 percent job growth for crane operators in the construction and 26 percent growth for crane operator jobs related to water transportation. Job prospects should be favorable for new workers due to stable job growth and a need to replace workers who leave the occupation to pursue other opportunities.

Machine Operators

Salary Information for Material Moving Machine Operators:

  • Material moving machine operators earned a median annual salary of $34,530 in 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
  • On the low end, material moving machine operators earned a 25th percentile salary of $28,210, meaning 75 percent earned more than this amount.
  • The 75th percentile salary is $42,810, meaning 25 percent earn more.
  • In 2016, 681,900 people were employed in the U.S. as material moving machine operators.

Longshoreman salary

The Average Wage for a Longshoreman

Longshoremen work at docks across the country where they make sure the correct incoming and outgoing cargo is loaded or unloaded without damage.

They belong to one of two unions that represent longshoremen and maritime workers. The union provides the necessary training to use the equipment and follow safety standards.

Working as a longshoreman requires that you’re physically strong and able to pass medical examinations. Working hours can be irregular depending on your union contract. Unions set the pay rates for longshoremen based on when they join and how many years of experience they possess. Rates increase with time and contract changes.

Longshoreman salary
Longshoreman crane operator salary

Longshoreman job description

Job Description. As a longshoreman, you are responsible for the cargo that arrives on ships at ports where you’re assigned:

  • The work includes docking the ships, loading and unloading cargo, checking for specific containers, and inspecting cargo for damage.
  • Longshoremen often use heavy equipment such as forklifts and cranes to move cargo to or from a ship and the desired storage location.
  • When unloading cargo, you usually do thorough inspections to ensure the shipment is complete and keep detailed records of all cargo that comes through the port.
  • Being physically strong and having stamina is important because there can be hundreds or thousands of containers to unload in a set time period.
  • Being dexterous helps with docking the ship and using hand tools.

Longshoreman education requirements

Education Requirements. To seek a longshoreman job, you need to acquire the Transportation Worker Identification Credential that allows access to docks and then seek a labor union that hires longshoreman.

The union you choose depends on the area of the country where you work. The two unions are the International Longshoreman’s Association (ILA) for workers on the East Coast and Gulf Coast and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) for those on the West Coast.

  • You must be 18 or older and in good physical condition to find work through the union, which will train you to use all the necessary equipment and perform repairs.
  • You’ll typically do casual work until you have enough experience for the union to offer permanent work status and official membership.

Longshoreman jobs salary

The ILA set the starting pay rate for longshoremen entering between October 2017 and September 2018 at $22.00 an hour, while the ILWU offered those starting between July 2017 and late June 2018 $29.49 an hour.

  • Longshoremen overall earned an average hourly wage of $24.98 an hour.
  • The bottom 10 percent of longshoremen made under $39,671 a year and the top 10 percent made more than $134,653 annually.

Container terminal jobs

Longshoremen work for ports around the country and spend most of their time outdoors loading and unloading cargo.

  • They also work with other longshoremen to secure the ship to the dock.
  • The work environment requires working regardless of the weather and following protocols to prevent accidents from operating heavy machinery, lifting heavy cargo, and working from heights.
  • Union contracts usually specify work shifts for longshoremen.

For example, the ILA contract notes that longshoremen have a regular Monday through Friday schedule with consistent daytime work hours, but managers can require nighttime, holiday or weekend work when necessary.

In contrast, the ILWU contract mentions day, afternoon and night shifts as common for longshoremen.

Container terminal jobs
Longshoreman crane operator salary

Longshoreman crane operator salary

Years of Experience. Longshoremen receive hourly pay increases based on how many contract years they have worked as well as when they started working with the company.

  • Per the current contract, new longshoremen who are ILA members earn a pay increase from $20.00 to $23.75 an hour after two years of work experience.
  • Their pay grows to $29.40 an hour with four years of experience and $35.00 an hour with six years of experience.
  • From July 2017 to late June 2018, new ILWU members earned hourly rates of $29.49 with up to 1,000 hours of experience, $30.49 for 1,000 to 2,000 hours, $32.49 for 2,001 to 4,000 hours, and $40.93 with 4,001 or more hours of experience.
Longshoreman crane operator salary
Longshoreman crane operator salary

Longshoreman average salary

Salary website PayScale reported the average annual longshoreman salary based on experience as of 2018:

0 to 5 years$53,000
5 to 10 years$54,000
10 to 20 years$81,000
20 or more years$83,000

Average salary in us

Job Growth Trend. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an average rate of job growth of 7 percent is expected for all material movers and hand laborers, including longshoremen.

This large occupation had around 3.9 million people employed in 2016 and is expected to grow to 4.2 million employed by 2026. While equipment has made it easier to move materials, this fact does not harm employment prospects because people are still needed to operate it.

Job turnover leads to better prospects for finding work as a longshoreman.

Crane operator course

The Crane Operator (Any Motive Power Except Steam) Passbook® prepares you for your test by allowing you to take practice exams in the subjects you need to study.

It provides hundreds of questions and answers in the areas that will likely be covered on your upcoming exam, including but not limited to:

  • Rules and regulations governing erection and dismantling of climber and tower cranes
  • Computation of weights and materials to be lifted
  • Safe loads on various types and sizes of rigging equipment including fiber and wire ropes, chain hoists, blocks, gin poles, shear legs, cranes and hydraulic rams
  • Ability to handle practical crane erection problems
  • Knowledge of safety measures and accident prevention; and more.

How much does a gantry crane operator make?

How much does a gantry crane operator make?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average annual income of crane and tower crane operators was $50,040 in May 2011. This annual income figure is based on an average wage of $24.06 an hour and 2,080 hours of work per year.

How much do crane operators get paid?

In 2017, the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated that the average, annual crane operator salary was $55,690. Experienced crane operators that are working on large-scale projects may make as much as $84,290.

Is crane operator a dangerous job?

While workers face many dangers on construction sites, crane operators are often at risk for catastrophic injuries. While crane accidents aren’t always caused by negligence, more often than not, they are preventable.

Should I become a crane operator?

Most crane operators get their experience through on-the-job training or apprenticeships. Apprenticeship candidates generally must be 18 years or older, have a school diploma or equivalent and be in fit physical condition.

How much can a longshoreman make?

Wages for West Coast longshoremen vary widely depending on experience, skill and time of day worked. Hourly base pay ranges from $25.71 to $41.48, but workers can earn significant premiums for overtime or late shifts.

How much does crane operator school cost?

If you will be taking both the mobile crane and overhead crane operator training programs together, you will only pay $50 for the PPT written test and $85 for CBT test. The practical exam cost is $50.

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