Port crane operator vs loader operator

The differences between port crane operators and loader operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a port crane operator and a loader operator. Additionally, a port crane operator has an average salary of $44,298, which is higher than the $36,987 average annual salary of a loader operator.

The top three skills for a port crane operator include CDL, and . The most important skills for a loader operator are front end loader, asphalt, and customer service.

Port crane operator vs loader operator overview

	Port Crane Operator	Loader Operator
Yearly salary	$44,298	$36,987
Hourly rate	$21.30	$17.78
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	32,651	61,980
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 40%	High School Diploma, 57%
Average age	47	43
Years of experience	4	4

Port crane operator vs loader operator salary

Port crane operators and loader operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Port Crane Operator	Loader Operator
Average salary	$44,298	$36,987
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $72,000	Between $29,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City	-	Bismarck, ND
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Dairy Farmers of America
Best paying industry	-	Construction

Differences between port crane operator and loader operator education

There are a few differences between a port crane operator and a loader operator in terms of educational background:

	Port Crane Operator	Loader Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 40%	High School Diploma, 57%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Business
Most common college	-	-

Port crane operator vs loader operator demographics

Here are the differences between port crane operators' and loader operators' demographics:

	Port Crane Operator	Loader Operator
Average age	47	43
Gender ratio	Male, 75.0% Female, 25.0%	Male, 94.1% Female, 5.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 0.7% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%	Black or African American, 14.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 2.6% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	2%	4%

Differences between port crane operator and loader operator duties and responsibilities

Port crane operator example responsibilities.

Coordinate all safety efforts with management to meet or exceed requirements of client specifications and OSHA regulations.
Drive truck to location and offload buildings to designate site using an ABC crane.

Loader operator example responsibilities.

Inventory control; FIFO procedures, HAZMAT certify.
Excavate midstream on load lines for repair backfill and finish
Dismantle and reassemble heavy equipment using hoists and hand tools.
Excavate and prepare trenches for plumbing and utilities to residential homes.
Operate excavator doing residential demolition and dig footings for new structures.
Utilize appropriate level of PPE for the chemical being handle or transfer.

Port crane operator vs loader operator skills

Common port crane operator skills

CDL, 100%

Common loader operator skills

Front End Loader, 11%
Asphalt, 9%
Customer Service, 8%
Loaders, 7%
Hand Tools, 5%
Preventative Maintenance, 4%

Port Crane Operator vs. similar jobs

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Transportation Industry
Port Crane Operator
Port Crane Operator vs Loader Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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