How to hire an overhead crane operator

How to hire an overhead crane operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step overhead crane operator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an overhead crane operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new overhead crane operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your overhead crane operator job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find an overhead crane operator for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An overhead crane operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, overhead crane operators from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of overhead crane operators and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Overhead Crane Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Overhead Crane Operator	Material moving machine operators use machinery to transport various objects. Some operators move construction materials around building sites or excavate earth from a mine... Show more	$13-19
   Machine Operator/Forklift Operator	A machine operator/forklift operator is responsible for operating industrial trucks to move merchandise around the warehouse facilities and other assigned areas. Machine operators/forklift operators also assist with inventory tasks by scanning orders and ensuring the correct merchandise for shipment... Show more	$12-18
   Mill Operator	Mill operators are skilled employees who are responsible for operating and maintaining milling machines that grind materials such as rocks or chemicals at a milling facility. These operators must gather raw materials for production and assist with the inventory of all materials... Show more	$14-23

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Cranes
   • Overhead Cranes
   • Determines Safety
   • Steel Coils
   • Hoisting
   • Tape Measure
   • Load Trucks
   • Rail Cars
   • Hoist Movement
   • Steel Beams
   • Aluminum
   • Bulk Materials
   • Load Weights
   • MIG

   Check all skills

   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

   More overhead crane operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your overhead crane operator job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An overhead crane operator can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, overhead crane operators' average salary in kentucky is 50% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level overhead crane operators 29% less than senior-level overhead crane operators.
   • Certifications. An overhead crane operator with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an overhead crane operator's salary.

   Average overhead crane operator salary

   $16.73hourly

   $34,797 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level overhead crane operator salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

   Average overhead crane operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New York	$40,493	$19
   2	Indiana	$34,928	$17
   3	Iowa	$34,220	$16
   4	Virginia	$33,058	$16
   5	North Carolina	$32,748	$16
   6	Ohio	$32,095	$15
   7	Texas	$31,588	$15
   8	Tennessee	$31,484	$15
   9	Florida	$31,327	$15
   10	Missouri	$30,383	$15
   11	Pennsylvania	$30,151	$15
   12	Alabama	$29,957	$14
   13	Michigan	$28,684	$14
   14	Illinois	$27,293	$13
   15	Kansas	$26,696	$13

   Average overhead crane operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Olympic Steel	$40,969	$19.70	1
   2	Harsco	$40,148	$19.30
   3	Metals USA	$40,015	$19.24	8
   4	Lockheed Martin	$39,421	$18.95	16
   5	Harrison Steel	$37,874	$18.21	2
   6	Spirit AeroSystems	$37,571	$18.06
   7	CMC Motocross	$37,269	$17.92	9
   8	MSI	$37,249	$17.91	1
   9	Systems	$36,761	$17.67
   10	GRENEKER Mannequins	$34,840	$16.75
   11	NCW	$34,710	$16.69	2
   12	Ben Hur Moving & Storage	$34,578	$16.62
   13	AGS	$34,211	$16.45
   14	The Advance Group	$33,522	$16.12	1
   15	Area Temps	$33,181	$15.95	2
   16	Staffmark	$33,136	$15.93
   17	Express Employment Indy South	$33,036	$15.88	10
   18	Total Staffing Solutions	$32,996	$15.86	1
   19	The Reserves Network	$32,989	$15.86	10
   20	Aerotek	$32,953	$15.84	283

4. Writing an overhead crane operator job description

   An overhead crane operator job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of an overhead crane operator job description:

   Overhead crane operator job description example

   Spirit AeroSystems designs and builds aerostructures for both commercial and defense customers. With headquarters in Wichita, Kansas, Spirit operates sites in the U.S., U.K., France and Malaysia. The company's core products include fuselages, pylons, nacelles and wing components for the world's premier aircraft. Spirit AeroSystems focuses on affordable, innovative composite and aluminum manufacturing solutions to support customers around the globe.
   Responsibilities
   
   Perform a wide variety of material support activities that assure the timely delivery of high-quality products to the customer. Performed tasks such as product conveyance and multi-tasking, operation of material handling equipment, material support machinery, and clerical or record keeping activities involving material flow of all goods and parts.
   
   THIS POSITION REQUIRES THE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE USE OF A CAB-OPERATED OVERHEAD CRANE
   
   Additional Responsibilities:
   
   + Ability to use (radio or mobile) boom-type crane and position aircraft, assemblies, other goods and materials.
   
   + Assures the safe operation of equipment including selecting, securing and adjusting equipment and lifting aids. Operate and control large assembly moving equipment. Perform railcar brakeman and coordination responsibilities. Perform hook tender responsibilities.
   
   + Plan and arrange for vehicles and cranes to be taken out of use for servicing and maintenance and prepare work orders authorizing such work. Maintain logs and records.
   
   + Coordinate the use of rented automobiles.
   
   + Dispatch, receive and coordinate requests for transportation, maintenance, and other miscellaneous functions.
   
   + Maintain constant communications with the scene, emergency vehicles, and individuals during an emergency. Provide transportation services as authorized.
   
   + Operate motive power vehicles such as bulldozer, rail car switch engines, cargo loader, high loader, road maintenance, die handlers, and forklift with a lifting capacity of 15,000 lbs. or more; and mobile boom type cranes to move position, and align parts, equipment, tools and material. Facilitate and move parts, goods and structures including assembled aircraft throughout and between facilities.
   
   + May perform any duties associated with Levels B and C.
   
   + Perform all tasks involved in receiving, location, issue, kit, preparation and movement of materials (raw materials, tools/tooling, parts, drawings, equipment/support equipment supplies, surplus property and hazardous materials to facilitate the production process or other support functions including Inventory Record Accuracy.
   
   + Perform a variety of activities including, using power or hand operated tools and equipment, checking hardware and tools for visible damage, routing broken, worn, or obsolete hardware and tools to proper authority for disposition, opening containers and identifying weight and count of contents and verifying quality of incoming hardware. Additionally, operate any and all types of information systems required to perform assigned task.
   
   + Utilize proper equipment and devices to assure parts, equipment, structures, etc. are appropriately protected. Load and unload air cargo as required.
   
   + Check condition of the material handling and associated equipment or devices before and after operation and perform routine or maintenance such as topping off fluids, checking and adjusting tire pressure). Report major malfunctioning and unsafe equipment. Refuel equipment.
   
   + Verify part numbers, part count and similar information of in-process material.
   
   + Effectively communicate with management staff, other support functions, other employees, vendors and outside shipping personnel.
   
   + Train other employees in same job classification as requested or required.
   
   Qualifications
   
   Required :
   
   + Must be willing and able to work any shift
   
   + Must have a valid driver's license
   
   + Must be able to work at extreme heights (no fear of heights)
   
   + Must be able to bend, squat and stoop for an extended period of time
   
   + Must be able to climb flights of stairs and walk extensive distances
   
   + Must be able to pass a vision exam which will include identifying color
   
   Preferred :
   
   + Crane operation: Mobile Crane, Tower Crane, Fixed Crane, Bridge Crane, Cab operated Crane
   
   + Construction experience: Working from heights, Working Around Heavy Equipment, Oil Field
   
   + Heavy equipment experience: Skid steer, Fork Lift, Backhoe, Tractor, Bull Dozer, Excavator, Directional Boring, Pulling Units
   
   + Rigging experience: Hook tending, Rigging Loads to Move
   
   All Candidates must pass the WorkKeys Assessment (www.workkeys.com) or provide verification that they have passed the WorkKeys Assessment. Delay in completing your WorkKeys Assessment will result in a delay in your start date. You may complete your assessment in advance of an interview.
   
   Spirit AeroSystems is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected factor under federal, state or local law
   
   Job LocationsUS-KS-Wichita
   
   
   Posted Date 6 months ago (4/12/2022 12:29 PM)
   
   Category Manufacturing

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right overhead crane operator for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with overhead crane operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit overhead crane operators who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your overhead crane operator job on Zippia to find and recruit overhead crane operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit overhead crane operators, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new overhead crane operator

   Once you've found the overhead crane operator candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new overhead crane operator. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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