Crane operator vs mobile crane operator

The differences between crane operators and mobile 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 crane operator and a mobile crane operator. Additionally, a crane operator has an average salary of $54,275, which is higher than the $42,053 average annual salary of a mobile crane operator.

The top three skills for a crane operator include cranes, NCCCO and CDL. The most important skills for a mobile crane operator are CDL, cranes, and safety procedures.

Crane operator vs mobile crane operator overview

	Crane Operator	Mobile Crane Operator
Yearly salary	$54,275	$42,053
Hourly rate	$26.09	$20.22
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	34,918	35,626
Job satisfaction	4.67	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	4	4

Crane operator vs mobile crane operator salary

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

	Crane Operator	Mobile Crane Operator
Average salary	$54,275	$42,053
Salary range	Between $35,000 And $83,000	Between $26,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City	Vancouver, WA	-
Highest paying state	Washington	-
Best paying company	Katerra	-
Best paying industry	Energy	-

Differences between crane operator and mobile crane operator education

There are a few differences between a crane operator and a mobile crane operator in terms of educational background:

	Crane Operator	Mobile Crane Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Crane operator vs mobile crane operator demographics

Here are the differences between crane operators' and mobile crane operators' demographics:

	Crane Operator	Mobile Crane Operator
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 95.5% Female, 4.5%	Male, 85.9% Female, 14.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 0.7% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%	Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 0.7% White, 64.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between crane operator and mobile crane operator duties and responsibilities

Crane operator example responsibilities.

Perform preventive maintenance on cranes in accordance with manufacturer and OSHA requirements.
Train, test and certify to run all small and large hydraulic cranes through NCCCO.
Operate LBT and TLL cranes, loading and unloading concrete bridge girders in a precast yard in a production setting.
Rig cranes to handle constriction materials using appropriate nylon and wire rope slings, shackles and other material handling equipment.
Arch, MIG, and TIG welding.
Maintain and use appropriate PPE.

Mobile crane operator example responsibilities.

Place blocks and outriggers to prevent capsizing when lifting heavy loads.
Weld, torch cut, operate rigging (roughneck), and run mobile crane.
Experience crane repair, troubleshooting, rebuilding.Now expire NCCCO certification on large lattice, crawler, and large hydro.
Provide safe and efficient transportation for disable Marta customers.
Coordinate all safety efforts with management to meet or exceed requirements of client specifications and OSHA regulations.
Operate, maintain, and inspect the company mobile crane and all of its rigging before and after every use.

Crane operator vs mobile crane operator skills

Common crane operator skills

Cranes, 25%
NCCCO, 7%
CDL, 7%
OSHA, 4%
Hoisting, 4%
Safety Rules, 3%

Common mobile crane operator skills

CDL, 21%
Cranes, 17%
Safety Procedures, 11%
General Supervision, 10%
DOT, 10%
Mobile Cranes, 8%

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Crane Operator
Crane Operator vs Mobile Crane Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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