Boom operator vs erecting crane operator

The differences between boom operators and erecting crane operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a boom operator and an erecting crane operator. Additionally, an erecting crane operator has an average salary of $62,796, which is higher than the $38,499 average annual salary of a boom operator.

The top three skills for a boom operator include building materials, boom truck and CDL. The most important skills for an erecting crane operator are cranes, , and .

Boom operator vs erecting crane operator overview

	Boom Operator	Erecting Crane Operator
Yearly salary	$38,499	$62,796
Hourly rate	$18.51	$30.19
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	31,804	26,205
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	Associate Degree, 50%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	4	4

Boom operator vs erecting crane operator salary

Boom operators and erecting crane operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Boom Operator	Erecting Crane Operator
Average salary	$38,499	$62,796
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $57,000	Between $33,000 And $117,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between boom operator and erecting crane operator education

There are a few differences between a boom operator and an erecting crane operator in terms of educational background:

	Boom Operator	Erecting Crane Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	Associate Degree, 50%
Most common major	Photography	Business
Most common college	-	-

Boom operator vs erecting crane operator demographics

Here are the differences between boom operators' and erecting crane operators' demographics:

	Boom Operator	Erecting Crane Operator
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 90.2% Female, 9.8%	Male, 97.2% Female, 2.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 0.7% White, 64.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%	Black or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 13.8% Asian, 0.7% White, 73.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between boom operator and erecting crane operator duties and responsibilities

Boom operator example responsibilities.

Operate various boom cranes to deliver building materials to residential and commercial construction sites.
Prepare for rigging and hoisting.
Fix cab crane operator and CDL driver dump truck.
Make sure all crewmembers are wearing PPE, and also securement of job site
Direct activities of workers placing blocks and outriggers to prevent capsizing when lifting heavy loads.
Make sure enough spotters or swampers are adequate with the amount of equipment is being run.

Erecting crane operator example responsibilities.

Inspect body harnesses and other PPE.
Operate 35- 350 ton hydraulic and conventional cranes, motor crane and crawler.
Coordinate all safety efforts with management to meet or exceed requirements of client specifications and OSHA regulations.
Weld verticals operate sub arc welders add operate crane
Operate 70-ton overhead crane in lifting/transporting coils of aluminum for production processing.

Boom operator vs erecting crane operator skills

Common boom operator skills

Building Materials, 27%
Boom Truck, 21%
CDL, 13%
DOT, 8%
Audio Equipment, 5%
Construction Materials, 3%

Common erecting crane operator skills

Cranes, 100%

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Transportation Industry
Boom Operator
Boom Operator vs Erecting Crane Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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