Overhead crane operator vs boom operator

The differences between overhead crane operators and boom operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an overhead crane operator and a boom operator. Additionally, a boom operator has an average salary of $38,499, which is higher than the $34,797 average annual salary of an overhead crane operator.

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

Overhead crane operator vs boom operator overview

	Overhead Crane Operator	Boom Operator
Yearly salary	$34,797	$38,499
Hourly rate	$16.73	$18.51
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	39,211	31,804
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	4	4

Overhead crane operator vs boom operator salary

Overhead crane operators and boom operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Overhead Crane Operator	Boom Operator
Average salary	$34,797	$38,499
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $41,000	Between $25,000 And $57,000
Highest paying City	Rome, NY	-
Highest paying state	Washington	-
Best paying company	Olympic Steel	-
Best paying industry	Hospitality	-

Differences between overhead crane operator and boom operator education

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

	Overhead Crane Operator	Boom Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common major	Business	Photography
Most common college	-	-

Overhead crane operator vs boom operator demographics

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

	Overhead Crane Operator	Boom Operator
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 95.5% Female, 4.5%	Male, 90.2% Female, 9.8%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 0.7% White, 64.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between overhead crane operator and boom operator duties and responsibilities

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

Boom operator example responsibilities.

Operate various boom cranes to deliver building materials to residential and commercial construction sites.
Prepare for rigging and hoisting.
Fix cab crane operator and CDL driver dump truck.
Make sure all crewmembers are wearing PPE, and also securement of job site
Direct activities of workers placing blocks and outriggers to prevent capsizing when lifting heavy loads.
Make sure enough spotters or swampers are adequate with the amount of equipment is being run.

Overhead crane operator vs boom operator skills

Common overhead crane operator skills

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

Common boom operator skills

Building Materials, 27%
Boom Truck, 21%
CDL, 13%
DOT, 8%
Audio Equipment, 5%
Construction Materials, 3%

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Transportation Industry
Overhead Crane Operator
Overhead Crane Operator vs Boom Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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