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Operate mechanical boom and cable or tower and cable equipment to lift and move materials, machines, or products in many directions.
Communication skills. Material moving machine operators signal and direct workers to load and unload material. They also receive direction from workers on the ground when moving material.
Coordination. Material moving machine operators must have steady hands and feet to guide and control heavy machinery precisely. They use hand controls to maneuver their machines through tight spaces, around large objects, and on uneven surfaces.
Mechanical skills. Material moving machine operators make minor adjustments to their machines and perform basic maintenance on them.
Visual ability. Material moving machine operators must be able to see clearly where they are driving or what they are moving. They must also watch for nearby workers, who may unknowingly be in their path.
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Characteristics of this Career |
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82% | Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. | |
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77% | Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. | |
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75% | Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. | |
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71% | Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. | |
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69% | Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations. | |
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68% | Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job. | |
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68% | Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. | |
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67% | Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical. | |
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67% | Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. | |
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66% | Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. | |
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64% | Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction. | |
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62% | Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. | |
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58% | Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. | |
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56% | Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks. | |
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53% | Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Strengths |
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100% | Realistic - Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services. | |
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56% | Conventional - Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Values of the Work Environment |
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78% | Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical. | |
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61% | Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Abilities | Cognitive, Physical, Personality |
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78% | Control Precision - The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions. | |
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75% | Multilimb Coordination - The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion. | |
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72% | Depth Perception - The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object. | |
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72% | Far Vision - The ability to see details at a distance. | |
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69% | Reaction Time - The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears. | |
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69% | Rate Control - The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene. | |
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66% | Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position. | |
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66% | Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem. | |
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63% | Manual Dexterity - The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects. | |
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63% | Response Orientation - The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part. | |
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63% | Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted. | |
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60% | Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). | |
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56% | Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. | |
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53% | Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. | |
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53% | Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object. | |
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53% | Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged. | |
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53% | Visual Color Discrimination - The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness. | |
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53% | Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. | |
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53% | Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent |
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99% | Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets - How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets? | |
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93% | Responsible for Others' Health and Safety - How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job? | |
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89% | Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it? | |
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89% | Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job? | |
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89% | Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job? | |
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86% | Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable - How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable? | |
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84% | Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job? | |
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82% | Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls - How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls? | |
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81% | Exposed to Contaminants - How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)? | |
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80% | Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in non-controlled environmental conditions (e.g., warehouse without heat)? | |
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79% | Frequency of Decision Making - How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization? | |
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75% | Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? | |
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75% | Exposed to Hazardous Equipment - How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment? | |
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75% | Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer? | |
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75% | Consequence of Error - How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable? | |
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74% | Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals? | |
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71% | Very Hot or Cold Temperatures - How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures? | |
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70% | Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines? | |
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70% | Outdoors, Exposed to Weather - How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions? | |
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69% | In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment - How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or equipment (e.g., car)? | |
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69% | Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment - How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.) | |
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69% | Exposed to High Places - How often does this job require exposure to high places? | |
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68% | Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers? | |
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65% | Telephone - How often do you have telephone conversations in this job? | |
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65% | Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions - How much does this job require making repetitive motions? | |
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60% | Spend Time Sitting - How much does this job require sitting? | |
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59% | Coordinate or Lead Others - How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job? | |
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59% | Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting - How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions? | |
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58% | Letters and Memos - How often does the job require written letters and memos? | |
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55% | Outdoors, Under Cover - How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (e.g., structure with roof but no walls)? | |
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52% | In an Open Vehicle or Equipment - How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or equipment (e.g., tractor)? | |
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89% | Duration of Typical Work Week - Number of hours typically worked in one week. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Tasks & Values |
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82% | Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles). | |
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81% | Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft. | |
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81% | Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. | |
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75% | Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. | |
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74% | Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. | |
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74% | Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. | |
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74% | Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. | |
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73% | Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles. | |
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72% | Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. | |
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70% | Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. | |
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67% | Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. | |
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64% | Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. | |
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63% | Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials. | |
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63% | Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks. | |
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60% | Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity. | |
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57% | Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. | |
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55% | Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. | |
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55% | Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members. | |
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54% | Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. | |
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54% | Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. | |
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51% | Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
Material moving machine operators use equipment to transport objects. For example, some operators move goods around factories and storage areas or onto container ships. Others move construction materials around building sites.
Material moving machine operators typically do the following:
In warehouses and factories, most material moving machine operators use forklifts and conveyor belts. Wireless sensors and tags keep track of merchandise, allowing operators to locate it faster. Some operators also check goods for damage. These operators usually work closely with hand laborers and material movers.
In construction, material moving machine operators transport objects around building sites. Some work on a building site for the entire length of the construction project. For example, certain material moving machine operators help to construct highrise buildings by transporting materials to workers who are far above ground level. (For information about workers who operate heavy machinery for building, road, and other construction sites, see the profile on construction equipment operators.)
All material moving machine operators are responsible for safely controlling their equipment or vehicle.
The following are examples of types of material moving machine operators:
Conveyor operators and tenders control conveyor systems that move materials on an automatic belt. They monitor sensors to regulate the speed with which the system’s conveyor belt moves. They move materials to and from places such as storage areas, vehicles, and building sites. Operators also may check the shipping order and determine the route that materials take along a conveyor.
Crane and tower operators use cable and tower equipment to lift and move materials, machinery, or other heavy objects. From a control station, operators extend and retract horizontal booms, rotate the superstructure, and lower and raise hooks attached to cables at the end of their crane or tower. Operators usually are guided by workers on the ground who use hand signals or transmit voice signals through a radio. Crane and tower operators usually work at construction sites or major ports, where they load and unload cargo. Operators also may work in iron and steel mills.
Dredge operators excavate waterways. They operate equipment on the water to remove sand, gravel, or rock from harbors or lakes. Removing these materials helps to prevent erosion and to maintain navigable waterways, allowing larger ships to use ports. Dredging also is used to help restore wetlands and maintain beaches.
Hoist and winch operators, also called derrick operators, control the movement of platforms, cables, and cages that transport workers or materials in industrial operations, such as constructing a highrise building. Operators regulate the speed of the equipment on the based on the needs of the workers.
Industrial truck and tractor operators drive trucks and tractors that move materials around storage yards, warehouses, or other worksites. These trucks, often called forklifts, have a lifting mechanism and forks, which make them useful for moving heavy and large objects. Some industrial truck and tractor operators drive tractors that pull trailers loaded with material around factories or storage areas.
Material moving machine operators held about 879,500 jobs in 2022. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up material moving machine operators was distributed as follows:
| Industrial truck and tractor operators | 796,600 |
| Crane and tower operators | 48,400 |
| Conveyor operators and tenders | 30,600 |
| Hoist and winch operators | 2,800 |
| Dredge operators | 1,000 |
The largest employers of material moving machine operators were as follows:
| Warehousing and storage | 37% |
| Wholesale trade | 10 |
| Temporary help services | 8 |
| Food manufacturing | 5 |
| Construction | 3 |
Material moving machine operators work indoors and outdoors in a variety of industries.
Hoist and winch operators have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations.
Many workers wear personal protective equipment—including gloves, hardhats, and harnesses—to guard against injury.
Most material moving machine operators work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Because materials are shipped around the clock, some work overnight shifts.
Education and training requirements vary by occupation. Crane operators typically have several years of experience in a related occupation.
Although no formal educational credential is typically required, companies may prefer to hire material moving machine operators who have a high school diploma. For crane and tower operators and dredge operators, a high school diploma or equivalent is typically required.
Material moving machine operators typically are trained on the job in less than a month, but the amount of time spent in training varies with the type of machine. Some machines, such as cranes and towers, are complex and may require several months of training. Others, such as industrial trucks and forklifts, may take only a few days to learn how to operate. New workers usually are trained by an experienced employee.
During their training, material moving machine operators learn safety rules, many of which are standardized through the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). Employers must certify that each operator has received the proper training. Operators who work with hazardous materials receive additional training.
The International Union of Operating Engineers offers training programs for heavy-equipment operators, such as crane operators.
Some states and cities require crane operators to be licensed. Operators typically must complete a skills test in which they show that they can control a crane. They also must pass a written exam that tests their knowledge of safety rules and procedures. Check with your state or city licensing agency for specific requirements.
Employers may require or prefer that workers become certified. For example, the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) offers several certifications for crane operators and related workers.
Crane and tower operators typically have several years of experience working as construction equipment operators, hoist and winch operators, or riggers and signalers.
Overall employment of material moving machine operators is projected to grow 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 88,900 openings for material moving machine operators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of material moving machine operators varies by occupation (see table).
Material moving machine operators will be needed to move materials or products to and from various locations, such as warehouses, stockpiles, or processing stations. The continued growth in e-commerce will increase the amount of materials and products needing to be moved. However, employment demand for these workers may be limited by the expansion of automated machinery and technologies, such as sensors and scanners, that improve operations and increase efficiencies.
For more information about careers as a material moving machine operator, visit
International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE)
National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO)
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of material moving machine operators.
| Occupation | Job Duties | Entry-Level Education | Median Annual Pay, May 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Construction Equipment Operators |
Construction equipment operators drive, maneuver, or control the heavy machinery used to construct roads, buildings, and other structures. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $51,050 |
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Delivery Truck Drivers and Driver/Sales Workers |
Delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers pick up, transport, and drop off packages and small shipments within a local region or urban area. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $38,220 |
|
Hand Laborers and Material Movers |
Hand laborers and material movers manually move freight, stock, or other materials. |
See How to Become One | $34,960 |
|
Heavy and Tractor-trailer Truck Drivers |
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers transport goods from one location to another. |
Postsecondary nondegree award | $49,920 |
|
Railroad Workers |
Railroad workers ensure that passenger and freight trains operate safely. They may drive trains, coordinate the activities of the trains, or control signals and switches in the rail yard. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $68,960 |
|
Water Transportation Workers |
Water transportation workers operate and maintain vessels that take cargo and people over water. |
See How to Become One | $66,100 |