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What is a mill crane operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a mill crane operator. For example, did you know that they make an average of $19.98 an hour? That's $41,555 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 7% and produce 56,900 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreMill Crane OperatorUS Average
Salary
3.2

Avg. Salary $41,555

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.5

Growth rate 7%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.1
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.49%

Asian 0.70%

Black or African American 11.07%

Hispanic or Latino 15.09%

Unknown 3.60%

White 68.06%

Gender

female 0.00%

male 100.00%

Age - 48
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 48
Stress level
7.5

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.4

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.1

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a mill crane operator

  1. Explore mill crane operator education requirements

    Most common mill crane operator degrees

    High School Diploma

    56.5 %

    Diploma

    30.4 %

    Associate

    8.7 %
  2. Start to develop specific mill crane operator skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Cranes75.55%
    Safety Procedures19.43%
    Steel Mill5.02%
  3. Complete relevant mill crane operator training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New mill crane operators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a mill crane operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real mill crane operator resumes.
  4. Research mill crane operator duties and responsibilities

    • Experience operating boom cranes at various locations where maneuverability is restricted and accuracy is critical.
    • Operate a crane and drive a forklift on various lines.
    • Remove burs from cut ends of pipe.
    • Use RF scan to enter PO numbers for each product.
  5. Prepare your mill crane operator resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your mill crane operator resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a mill crane operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable mill crane operator resume templates

    Build a professional mill crane operator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your mill crane operator resume.
    Mill Crane Operator Resume
    Mill Crane Operator Resume
    Mill Crane Operator Resume
    Mill Crane Operator Resume
    Mill Crane Operator Resume
    Mill Crane Operator Resume
    Mill Crane Operator Resume
    Mill Crane Operator Resume
    Mill Crane Operator Resume
  6. Apply for mill crane operator jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a mill crane operator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first mill crane operator job

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Average mill crane operator salary

The average mill crane operator salary in the United States is $41,555 per year or $20 per hour. Mill crane operator salaries range between $31,000 and $54,000 per year.

Average mill crane operator salary
$41,555 Yearly
$19.98 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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