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What is a yard 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 yard crane operator. For example, did you know that they make an average of $21.15 an hour? That's $43,991 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 7% and produce 56,900 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreYard Crane OperatorUS Average
Salary
3.4

Avg. Salary $43,991

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.5

Growth rate 7%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.2
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.61%

Asian 0.75%

Black or African American 11.11%

Hispanic or Latino 16.27%

Unknown 3.72%

White 66.55%

Gender

female 5.43%

male 94.57%

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 yard crane operator

  1. Explore yard crane operator education requirements

    Most common yard crane operator degrees

    High School Diploma

    61.5 %

    Associate

    20.5 %

    Bachelor's

    7.7 %
  2. Start to develop specific yard crane operator skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Cranes54.18%
    Hoisting34.13%
    Yard Operations4.57%
    Rail Cars4.03%
    Bobcat3.09%
  3. Complete relevant yard crane operator training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New yard 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 yard crane operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real yard crane operator resumes.
  4. Research yard crane operator duties and responsibilities

    • Coordinate all safety efforts with management to meet or exceed requirements of client specifications and OSHA regulations.
    • Perform daily preventative maintenance on mobile crane.
    • Set aluminum panels to pour concrete foundation.
  5. Prepare your yard crane operator resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your yard 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 yard 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 yard crane operator resume templates

    Build a professional yard 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 yard crane operator resume.
    Yard Crane Operator Resume
    Yard Crane Operator Resume
    Yard Crane Operator Resume
    Yard Crane Operator Resume
    Yard Crane Operator Resume
    Yard Crane Operator Resume
    Yard Crane Operator Resume
    Yard Crane Operator Resume
    Yard Crane Operator Resume
  6. Apply for yard crane operator jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a yard 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 yard crane operator job

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Average yard crane operator salary

The average yard crane operator salary in the United States is $43,991 per year or $21 per hour. Yard crane operator salaries range between $27,000 and $71,000 per year.

Average yard crane operator salary
$43,991 Yearly
$21.15 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do yard crane operators rate their job?

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Yard crane operator reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2020
Pros

With concentration, using the right lifting material, watching for safe environment while lifting and offloading, having the LMI working etc, you'll have a less accident work delivery.

Cons

Other works going on around lifting and offloading point, etc.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2019
Pros

For is the most easiest way of carrying heavy loads that I like the most.

Cons

I don't like to leave my working area with un nicely packed parcels or loads


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A zippia user wrote a review on May 2019
Pros

Kandinsky Benedict Croft Figaro dictionary Cincinnati


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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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