Scrap drop operator vs crane operator

The differences between scrap drop operators and crane 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 scrap drop operator and a crane operator. Additionally, a crane operator has an average salary of $54,275, which is higher than the $35,651 average annual salary of a scrap drop operator.

Scrap drop operator vs crane operator overview

	Scrap Drop Operator	Crane Operator
Yearly salary	$35,651	$54,275
Hourly rate	$17.14	$26.09
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	30,724	34,918
Job satisfaction	-	4.67
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 40%	High School Diploma, 56%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	4	4

Scrap drop operator vs crane operator salary

Scrap drop operators and crane operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Scrap Drop Operator	Crane Operator
Average salary	$35,651	$54,275
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $48,000	Between $35,000 And $83,000
Highest paying City	-	Vancouver, WA
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	Katerra
Best paying industry	-	Energy

Differences between scrap drop operator and crane operator education

There are a few differences between a scrap drop operator and a crane operator in terms of educational background:

	Scrap Drop Operator	Crane Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 40%	High School Diploma, 56%
Most common major	Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians	Business
Most common college	-	-

Scrap drop operator vs crane operator demographics

Here are the differences between scrap drop operators' and crane operators' demographics:

	Scrap Drop Operator	Crane Operator
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 84.2% Female, 15.8%	Male, 95.5% Female, 4.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 13.8% Asian, 0.7% White, 73.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%	Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 0.7% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between scrap drop operator and crane operator duties and responsibilities

Scrap drop operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Observe sewing operation to detect defects in stitching that indicate machine malfunction and notify supervisor of malfunction.
Perform specialized production line and quality control duties in a professional production environment specializing in plastic extrusion.

Crane operator example responsibilities.

Perform preventive maintenance on cranes in accordance with manufacturer and OSHA requirements.
Train, test and certify to run all small and large hydraulic cranes through NCCCO.
Operate LBT and TLL cranes, loading and unloading concrete bridge girders in a precast yard in a production setting.
Rig cranes to handle constriction materials using appropriate nylon and wire rope slings, shackles and other material handling equipment.
Arch, MIG, and TIG welding.
Maintain and use appropriate PPE.

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Transportation Industry
Scrap Drop Operator
Scrap Drop Operator vs Crane Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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