Boom operator vs hot metal crane operator

The differences between boom operators and hot metal 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 a hot metal crane operator. Additionally, a hot metal crane operator has an average salary of $61,860, 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 a hot metal crane operator are cranes, safety procedures, and .

Boom operator vs hot metal crane operator overview

	Boom Operator	Hot Metal Crane Operator
Yearly salary	$38,499	$61,860
Hourly rate	$18.51	$29.74
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	31,804	28,906
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	High School Diploma, 79%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	4	4

Boom operator vs hot metal crane operator salary

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

	Boom Operator	Hot Metal Crane Operator
Average salary	$38,499	$61,860
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $57,000	Between $33,000 And $115,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between boom operator and hot metal crane operator education

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

	Boom Operator	Hot Metal Crane Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	High School Diploma, 79%
Most common major	Photography	Business
Most common college	-	-

Boom operator vs hot metal crane operator demographics

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

	Boom Operator	Hot Metal Crane Operator
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 90.2% Female, 9.8%	Male, 91.5% Female, 8.5%
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 hot metal 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.

Hot metal crane operator example responsibilities.

Wear a variety of PPE to be safe on the job including steel toe shoes.
Charge AOD vessel with molten steel, continuous cast and bottom teeming.
Work directly with the EAF operator to safely and efficiently charge the EAF and change electrodes.
Coordinate all safety efforts with management to meet or exceed requirements of client specifications and OSHA regulations.
Involve in the training of new employees on crane operation and also working in and around the electric arc furnaces.
Operate 70-ton overhead crane in lifting/transporting coils of aluminum for production processing.

Boom operator vs hot metal crane operator skills

Common boom operator skills

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

Common hot metal crane operator skills

Cranes, 62%
Safety Procedures, 38%

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Transportation Industry
Boom Operator
Boom Operator vs Hot Metal Crane Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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