Crane Operators: What is the Expected Driver Salary?

By Robert Romboa •  Updated: 08/27/23 •  6 min read
FAQ

If you know your way around construction sites, pursuing a career as a crane operator might be a great career decision. Yes! The fact remains that this is a competitive industry, and many talented people will be vying for the same roles as you, putting the employers at an advantage because they can choose from a larger pool of candidates. Yet, it can be tough and frustrating for job seekers.

But why would so many people want to become crane operators? The reason is simple; Money. Apart from the reality that crane operators jobs are in high demand, the pay package is enticing even above other construction jobs.

So, what is the expected driver salary of a crane operator? How much money does a crane operator make? This article will provide everything you need to know regarding this subject. Read on to find out!

What is the expected driver salary of a crane operator? 

There is no doubt that the need for crane operators contributes to the high levels of competition regarding earning this job. However, the competition is also propagated by the competitive pay of these jobs.  

According to Glassdoor.com, the average annual compensation of a crane operator is roughly $63,843. On the other hand, the average salary for a construction worker in the United States is $14.87 per hour, according to payscale.com. 

Notwithstanding, crane operators can earn on average $24.48 every hour some even earning up to $35.56 per hour. That’s a considerable rise in your hourly salary, and earning it can often be as easy as attending a crane operator training in your neighborhood.  

However, it is worthy to note that overall pay can be significantly higher in many regions, and there are frequently prospects for advancement.  

How much money does a crane operator make?

You’d need to be practical-minded and know how to drive and maintain large machinery to work as a crane driver.  As you gain experience as a crane operator, your salary will increase.

Crane operators who are new to the job might earn between £17,000 and £20,000. Those with some level of experience can earn between  £20,000 and £35,000 per year. While senior crane operators can make more than £35,000 per year.

Still, hours and pay are determined by your location, job, and whether or not you work overtime.

How do I get a Job as a Crane Operator? 

Getting a job operating a crane or other piece of heavy construction equipment, like any other employment, necessitates a thorough understanding of how the equipment works as well as a strong dedication to workplace safety.

It also necessitates some networking skills so that you can get your resume out there and ace interviews as they come your way.

However, the most challenging obstacle is that even if you are highly qualified, getting recruited can be tough if you lack experience. It’s a fact that finding crane operator jobs without prior experience is impossible.

Of course, this is a Catch-22 situation: you can’t obtain a job without experience, and you can’t get experience without first getting a job.

Luckily, there are alternative options for gaining experience. All you have to do is just get the right knowledge. You may want to check out this article on how much training you need to learn more!

How do I gain the experience I need to be employed as a crane operator? 

Finding a good crane operator institution is the greatest approach to gain experience operating cranes. A reputable crane operator institution will have professional crane operators that can assist you in obtaining your National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators certification (NCCCO).

Of course, a decent school will do, but you’ll need a great institution if you want to gain real-world experience. You can check out the following characteristics to decide on a good crane operator school. 

Is Crane Operation training worth my time?

Continuing your education is the way to go whether you’re trying to start a new career or have been in the construction industry for a long time and want to build yourself.

You may improve your employability, increase your income, and strengthen your job security by learning new skills relating to the field you’re in (or wish to break into). A crane operator course is one of the greatest methods to learn vital new skills for the competitive construction job market.

Below are some of the reasons why becoming a crane operator is worth your time.

 1. You’ll be able to earn more money: Of course, one of the most compelling reasons for people to further their education is the desire to earn more money. Companies are always looking for skilled crane operators and are prepared to pay for them, so taking crane operator training can help you do just that.  

2. You’ll have abilities that are in high demand. As a crane operator, you definitely can earn more money than other construction workers, but why is that? The simple reason is that their abilities are in high demand; construction projects will always necessitate cranes, and those cranes will necessitate operators.

3. You’ll have a competent way of approaching real-life situations: Undertaking crane training programs will help you apply what you’ve learned in the classroom to real-world situations.

Of course, all the credentials in the world won’t help you unless you have real-world experience doing the professions you’ll be doing. That’s why good crane operator training will get you out in the field, allowing you to practice with the various pieces of equipment you’ll encounter on the job.

Thankfully, good crane operator training will teach you much more than just how to operate a crane. It will also prepare you to take a variety of industry certifications, all of which will improve the appeal of your resume to hiring managers.

Thanks for reading till the end. We hope you did learn.

Robert Romboa

Just amazed daily by the heavy machinery used to make our days easier and allow for fast and simple construction from your backyard to a city!

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