Crane Operator Education Requirements And Courses

Crane operator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Usually, crane operators don't need a college education. The most common degree for crane operators is high school diploma with 56% graduates, with only 14% crane operator graduates earning associate degree. Crane operators who decided to graduate from college often finish University of Phoenix or University of Southern Mississippi. Some good skills to have in this position include cranes, nccco and cdl.

Popular crane operator certifications include Commercial Driver License (CDL), OSHA Safety Certificate , or Mobile Crane Operator Certification. To improve crane operator qualification and skills, we prepared some online courses to help in crane operator education paths.

What education do you need to become a crane operator?

What degree do you need to be a crane operator?

The most common degree for crane operators is high school diploma, with 56% of crane operators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 14% and associate degree degree at 13%.

High School Diploma, 56%

Associate, 14%

Diploma, 13%

Bachelor's, 9%

Other Degrees, 8%

What should I major in to become a crane operator?

You should major in business to become a crane operator. 19% of crane operators major in business. Other common majors for a crane operator include general studies and precision metal working.

Business, 19%

General Studies, 14%

Precision Metal Working, 8%

Automotive Technology, 8%

Other Majors, 51%

Best majors for crane operators

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	19.3%
2	General Studies	14.3%
3	Precision Metal Working	8.3%
4	Automotive Technology	7.7%
5	Criminal Justice	7.1%

Show more common crane operator majors

20 best online courses for crane operators

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1. OSHA Safety Pro: Personal Protective Equipment

4.5

(1,881)

Impress management or get that job with you your ability to display life and dollar saving work place safety practices...

2. OSHA Workplace Safety (General Industry 6 Hr Class)

4.5

(2,583)

Learn the requirements and standards associated with OSHA and workplace safety. Safety best practices for the workplace...

3. OSHA Safety Training: Conducting Safety Meetings

4.5

(958)

A Brief Safety Management Course for Current and Aspiring Safety Professionals...

4. OSHA Safety Pro: Deadly Concrete Dust. Crystalline Silica.

4.4

(478)

OSHA's General, Construction, and Maritime Industries Hazard Prevention and Safety Standard...

5. OSHA Safety Pro: Trenching Excavation & Soil Mechanics

4.3

(727)

A quick yet detailed certification in OSHA safety with a focus on Trenching, Excavation, & Soil Mechanics...

6. OSHA Safety Training: Heat Stress Management

4.6

(465)

A Workplace Safety Management Course for Current and Future Safety Professionals...

7. Fire Safety and Prevention Planning

4.4

(1,467)

Become an expert in understanding Fire Safety and Prevention Planning for your workplaces and organizations...

8. OSHA Safety Pro: Hearing Protection Program

4.5

(1,113)

Your guide to preventing hearing loss using OSHA's Occupational Noise Exposure Standards...

9. Fun food safety and sanitation course

4.6

(539)

The food safety course will help prepare you for safely working in a kitchen and food handler tests like Servesafe...

10. Functional Safety for Safety Instrumented Systems

4.1

(263)

The most complete course available on Functional Safety. 2+ hours of videos, case studies, assignments, & more...

11. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System

4.4

(976)

Understand the requirements for a food safety management system applicable for any organization in the food chain...

12. NEBOSH FIRE SAFETY

4.4

(252)

Managing Fire Safety in Workplace...

13. Fire Safety: Become A Fire Safety Expert

4.3

(484)

Become an expert in Fire Safety, Fire Hazards Control, Fire Evacuation Plans, and Fire Risk Assessment...

14. HACCP-Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point Certification

4.2

(301)

Food Safety Preventive Approach (HACCP System)...

15. Occupational Health & Safety Training

4.4

(1,198)

Workplace Health and Safety Course For Employees & Managers...

16. Inventory Management: Safety Stock Calculation and Control

4.6

(434)

Optimize your Supply Chain Safety Stock. Simple to Advanced Methods. Reduce Costs and Risk in your Business Operations...

17. Truck Dispatcher - Working with owner operators

4.6

(724)

Work and earn...

18. Basic Certificate in Health Safety & Environment-HSE Level 2

4.4

(355)

A comprehensive course for Safety Officers, Supervisors, Managers and Aspiring Safety Professionals...

19. Food Safety for Managers and Supervisors

4.3

(489)

The Highfield Food Safety Level 3 syllabus presented in two hours of video tutorials. Boost your food safety knowledge...

20. Basic Fire Safety Awareness

4.3

(776)

Basic Fire Safety Awareness - Your Gateway towards Career in Fire Safety...

Average crane operator salary by education level

According to our data, crane operators with a Associate degree earn the highest average salary, at $57,502 annually. Crane operators with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $56,578.

Crane operator education level	Crane operator salary
High School Diploma or Less	$55,574
Bachelor's Degree	$56,578
Some College/ Associate Degree	$57,502