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The differences between crane operators and truck drivers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a crane operator, becoming a truck driver takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a truck driver has an average salary of $60,326, which is higher than the $54,275 average annual salary of a crane operator.
The top three skills for a crane operator include cranes, NCCCO and CDL. The most important skills for a truck driver are CDL, OTR, and DOT.
| Crane Operator | Truck Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $54,275 | $60,326 |
| Hourly rate | $26.09 | $29.00 |
| Growth rate | 7% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 34,918 | 827,858 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.67 | 4 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 56% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| Average age | 47 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
A crane operator's work involves the control of draglines or cranes to lift, move, position or place machinery, equipment, and other large objects at industrial or construction sites, ports, surface mines, railway yards, and other similar locations. Their tasks and duties include conducting crane maintenance such as lubricating and cleaning, inspecting cranes, and assembling tower cranes. Some of them work with all three cranes, namely the boom trucks, mobile cranes, and tower cranes, while others prefer to specialize.
The truck driver transports goods and materials by land from and to manufacturing factories or retail businesses and distribution centers with the use of heavy trucks or tractor-trailers. Truck drivers assist and supervise the safe unloading of cargos to the destination. They must always check their cargo if complete and secured with cables, rope, or other materials. They should keep their truck clean, neat, and inspect prior the trip and ensure to be in good working condition to operate safely. It is very important that they follow with all appropriate safety procedures and comply with federal and state regulations. They must also be knowledgable and comfortable in using maps or GPS to navigate the safest and most efficient routes.
Crane operators and truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Crane Operator | Truck Driver | |
| Average salary | $54,275 | $60,326 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $83,000 | Between $40,000 And $90,000 |
| Highest paying City | Vancouver, WA | Wilmington, DE |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Delaware |
| Best paying company | Katerra | W. R. Grace & Co |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Retail |
There are a few differences between a crane operator and a truck driver in terms of educational background:
| Crane Operator | Truck Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 56% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between crane operators' and truck drivers' demographics:
| Crane Operator | Truck Driver | |
| Average age | 47 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.5% Female, 4.5% | Male, 91.6% Female, 8.4% |
| 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, 12.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 3.4% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 4% |