Crane helper vs overhead crane operator

The differences between crane helpers and overhead crane operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a crane helper has an average salary of $51,583, which is higher than the $34,797 average annual salary of an overhead crane operator.

The top three skills for a crane helper include load trucks, rig and cranes. The most important skills for an overhead crane operator are cranes, overhead cranes, and determines safety.

Crane helper vs overhead crane operator overview

	Crane Helper	Overhead Crane Operator
Yearly salary	$51,583	$34,797
Hourly rate	$24.80	$16.73
Growth rate	-	7%
Number of jobs	13,954	39,211
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 75%	High School Diploma, 56%
Average age	41	47
Years of experience	-	4

Crane helper vs overhead crane operator salary

Crane helpers and overhead crane operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Crane Helper	Overhead Crane Operator
Average salary	$51,583	$34,797
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $108,000	Between $29,000 And $41,000
Highest paying City	-	Rome, NY
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	Olympic Steel
Best paying industry	-	Hospitality

Differences between crane helper and overhead crane operator education

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

	Crane Helper	Overhead Crane Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 75%	High School Diploma, 56%
Most common major	Natural Resources Management	Business
Most common college	-	-

Crane helper vs overhead crane operator demographics

Here are the differences between crane helpers' and overhead crane operators' demographics:

	Crane Helper	Overhead Crane Operator
Average age	41	47
Gender ratio	Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%	Male, 95.5% Female, 4.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.4% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 3.3% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%	Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 0.7% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage	3%	2%

Differences between crane helper and overhead crane operator duties and responsibilities

Crane helper example responsibilities.

Utilize DIAD equipment to verify package recipient and obtain recipient signature if necessary.
Utilize DIAD equipment to verify package recipient and obtain recipient signature if necessary.

Overhead crane operator example responsibilities.

Operate traveling overhead crane to lift, move, and position loads of raw steel material using a hook hoisting attachment.
Loaded/Unload trucks safely using overhead cranes and/or mobile equipment.
Certify crane operator and heavy equipment operator NCCCO certify TWIC certify MSHA training course
Operate TLL to hang pipe, values and other material in racks for site construction.
Operate hydraulic and lattice cranes, crane assembly and disassembly, oiling, rigging, and signaling.
Operate 60 ton rough terrain , 165 ton link-belt, and 175 ton 777 Manitowoc.Forrest``ken"Haley

Crane helper vs overhead crane operator skills

Common crane helper skills

Load Trucks, 40%
Rig, 35%
Cranes, 25%

Common overhead crane operator skills

Cranes, 19%
Overhead Cranes, 9%
Determines Safety, 9%
Steel Coils, 7%
Hoisting, 6%
Tape Measure, 4%

Crane Helper vs. similar jobs

Crane Helper related careers

Crane Helper related jobs

What similar roles do

Helper/Driver responsibilities

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Crane Helper
Crane Helper vs Overhead Crane Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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