Crane operator vs overhead crane operator

The differences between crane operators and overhead 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 an overhead crane operator. Additionally, a crane operator has an average salary of $54,275, which is higher than the $34,797 average annual salary of an overhead crane operator.

The top three skills for a crane operator include cranes, NCCCO and CDL. The most important skills for an overhead crane operator are cranes, overhead cranes, and determines safety.

Crane operator vs overhead crane operator overview

	Crane Operator	Overhead Crane Operator
Yearly salary	$54,275	$34,797
Hourly rate	$26.09	$16.73
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	34,918	39,211
Job satisfaction	4.67	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	High School Diploma, 56%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	4	4

Crane operator vs overhead crane operator salary

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

	Crane Operator	Overhead Crane Operator
Average salary	$54,275	$34,797
Salary range	Between $35,000 And $83,000	Between $29,000 And $41,000
Highest paying City	Vancouver, WA	Rome, NY
Highest paying state	Washington	Washington
Best paying company	Katerra	Olympic Steel
Best paying industry	Energy	Hospitality

Differences between crane operator and overhead crane operator education

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

	Crane Operator	Overhead Crane Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	High School Diploma, 56%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Crane operator vs overhead crane operator demographics

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

	Crane Operator	Overhead Crane Operator
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 95.5% Female, 4.5%	Male, 95.5% Female, 4.5%
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, 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	2%	2%

Differences between crane operator and overhead 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.

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 operator vs overhead crane operator skills

Common crane operator skills

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

Common overhead crane operator skills

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

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Crane Operator
Crane Operator vs Overhead Crane Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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