Also known as
- Boom Truck Crane Operator
- Bridge Crane Operator
- Climbing Crane Operator
- Construction Crane Operator
- Dragline Crane Operator
- Gantry Crane Operator
- Hoist Operator
- Mobile Crane Operator
- Tower Crane Operator
- Tractor Crane Operator
Your duties | Work conditions | Essential Skills | Apprenticeship | Certification | Where to study | Salary ranges | Building your career | Job prospects
Are you good with your hands? Do you have strong depth perception and good communication skills? Would you like working with machines? Do you like travel? Can you work in high places? Do you crave on-the-job variety? Then Crane Operator could be the career for you!
What the work is like
Crane operators operate cranes or draglines to lift, move, position or place machinery, equipment and other large objects at construction or industrial sites, ports, railway yards, surface mines and other similar locations.
They are employed by construction, mining, shipbuilding, railway and crane rental companies.
Crane operators work in all four construction sectors: New Home Building and Renovation, Heavy Industrial, Institutional and Commercial, and Civil Engineering. To learn more about the construction sectors, check out Inside the industry.
Your duties
As a Crane Operator, your duties may include the following:
- operating cranes to lift, move or place equipment and materials
- inspecting cranes and calculating crane capacities
- assembling tower cranes on site
- performing routine maintenance work such as cleaning and lubricating cranes
There are three types of cranes: boom truck, tower crane and mobile crane. Boom truck and mobile crane are broken down further into specialized crafts. Boom truck contains medium, heavy and wellhead, and mobile crane contains mobile, conventional mobile and hydraulic mobile.
Some operators work with all three types, while others choose to specialize:
- Heavy boom truck path – set up, service and operate hydraulic booms that are capable of moving heavy loads of 18 tonnes or more
- medium boom truck path – set up, service and operate hydraulic booms that are capable of moving heavy loads weighing between 4.5 tonnes and 18 tonnes
- Wellhead boom truck path – set up, service and operate hydraulic booms.
- Tower crane path – service and operate travelling, fixed or climbing-type cranes with a vertical tower and a jib (protecting arm)
- Mobile crane path – service and operate booms that are mounted on either mechanically or hydraulically driven cranes, and are capable of lifting heavy loads of 13 tonnes or more
- Conventional mobile crane path – perform the same duties as the mobile crane path, but you will be limited to mechanically driven cranes
- Hydraulic mobile crane path – perform the same duties as the mobile crane path, but you will be limited to hydraulically driven cranes
Work conditions
The standard work week for crane operators is 40 hours (8 hours a day, 5 days a week). As with many careers in construction, there are peak periods that will require you to work overtime. The number of additional hours you work each week depends on the construction sector and region you work in, and will vary from one job to the next.
As a Crane Operator, you will work outdoors, often in noisy conditions. You may have to travel to various job sites and occasionally live away from home for long periods of time.
Crane operators work closely with other equipment operators and with ground crew.
As with all careers in the construction industry, safety is the top priority. Crane operators are trained to work safely and take special precautions to protect themselves from injury.
Essential Skills
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) has identified nine Essential Skills that are necessary to succeed in the workplace. These skills provide the foundation for learning all other skills and apply to most construction careers. Best of all, you can learn and improve on these skills in school, on the job and during your everyday life.
The most important Essential Skills for crane operators are the following:
- Numeracy – working with numbers to perform calculations
- Problem Solving – coming up with solutions to challenges
- Working with Others – interacting with co-workers to get the job done
Click here to see how these skills are applied on the job. You can also click here to learn more about Essential Skills.
Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship is one way of starting out in the construction industry. It involves both classroom studies and on-the-job training under the supervision of a certified Crane Operator, called a journeyperson.
As an apprentice, you earn while you learn and are paid by the hour while working on the job site. Wages start at about 50% of a journeyperson’s hourly rate and increase during your apprenticeship until you reach the full rate.
Entering an apprenticeship program
Requirements for crane operator apprenticeship programs vary across Canada. In most provinces and territories, you must have a Grade 10 education or equivalent to enter a crane operator program.
Some provinces and territories offer secondary school apprenticeship programs that allow high school students to work towards a career as a Crane Operator.
For more information, check out the Apprenticeship section.
Program length
Crane operator apprenticeship training programs vary in length depending on the equipment you will be operating. The programs range from one to three years in length and involve on-the-job training, technical training and a final certificate exam. Some programs also involve the completion of a self-study course before beginning any technical training.
Related work experience or completion of a crane operator program at a college or technical institute can reduce the time required to complete your apprenticeship.
Certification
Certification is required in some provinces and territories and available but voluntary in others (see below). Certification tells employers and other workers that you are a skilled professional. It also helps you get jobs.
To be certified as a Crane Operator, you usually need to complete a one- to three-year apprenticeship program. Once you successfully complete the required on-the-job training, technical training and exams, you are awarded a journeyperson certificate.
In some provinces and territories, if you have on-the-job experience and some high school, college or industry courses in crane operating, you may be eligible for crane operator certification.
As a certified Crane Operator, you may attempt the Interprovincial Exam to qualify for the Interprovincial Standards’ Red Seal. With a Red Seal, you can work as a Crane Operator anywhere in Canada.
Certification for boom truck operators is compulsory in Alberta and Manitoba, and is available but voluntary in British Columbia, Northwest Territories and Saskatchewan.
Certification for mobile crane operators is compulsory in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec, and is available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and the Northwest Territories.
Mobile crane operators may require a provincial licence to drive mobile cranes on public roads.
Certification for tower crane operators is compulsory in Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario, and is available but voluntary in British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Saskatchewan.
In addition to provincial certification, some employers may require internal certification.
In provinces and territories where certification is not available, it may be possible to study as an apprentice through your local labour organization. Check out Related links to find out who to contact.
As a Crane Operator, it is necessary to keep your skills current. Modern cranes often have sophisticated computers in the cab to assist the operator. You have to keep up with new technological developments by reading and talking with other crane operators.
Where to study in Canada
In addition to the Canadian schools listed below, many employer and labour organizations offer training. For more information, check out Related links.
|
Alberta British Columbia Manitoba Newfoundland and Labrador |
Ontario Saskatchewan |
Special programs
In addition to the schools listed above, NorQuest College offers a transitional program for new Canadians with experience as crane operators.
Salary ranges
Crane Operator hourly wages vary depending on the contract, the company, collective agreements, and local and national economic conditions. Typical hourly wage ranges for crane operators (based on national or regional averages) are as follows:
Junior apprentices and or inexperienced workers
| Region | Typical hourly rate |
|
National average |
$16-$19 |
Based on national averages, junior apprentices can earn annual salaries ranging from $33,000 to $40,000 per year, not including overtime.
Journeypersons and or experienced workers
| Region | Typical hourly rate |
|
National average |
$20-$28 |
Based on national averages, journeypersons can earn annual salaries ranging from $42,000 to $58,000 per year, not including overtime.
Highly experienced journeypersons and or highly experienced workers
| Region | Typical hourly rate |
|
National average |
$26-$36 |
Based on national averages, highly experienced journeypersons can earn annual salaries ranging from $54,000 to $75,000 per year, not including overtime.
Construction work can involve overtime, so your total annual salary will vary depending on the number of overtime hours you work.
In addition to the hourly rate, many construction workers receive statutory holiday and vacation pay. Depending on the contract, you may also receive benefits such as group insurance for health, dental, and vision care, as well as retirement packages and training benefits up to 30% of your hourly rate. If you are self-employed, it is up to you to arrange your own benefits.
Building your career
With experience and additional training you can progress to supervisory positions. You can also become self-employed and start your own crane rental business.
As with most careers in the construction industry, your skills are portable. If you want to move, you can take your skills with you.
Job prospects
Construction careers across Canada are booming! To learn about the forecast for crane operators, check out Job prospects. There you’ll find information on their expected demand by province for the next nine years.
The Construction Sector Council accepts no responsibility or liability connected with the use or reproduction of the information contained on this website. It is provided “as is” and is intended for informational use only without warranty, express or implied.
