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Overhead Crane Operator Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Granite

Hydraulic Crane Operator

Des Moines, IA · On-site

General Summary Operates crane to lift and move building materials from ground areas to trucks to top of other structures Essential Job Accountabilities * Assist with lift plan. * Have proper ...

Minturn, Inc.

Crane Operator

Des Moines, IA

$28 - $35/hr

Past experience operating cranes including pile driving, vibratory hammer, clam shell work, swinging concrete and rebar, etc. * Knowledge of basic lifting and rigging and fluent with hand signals.

Owen Industries

Coil Line Operator

Carter Lake, IA · On-site

$16 - $19.75/hr

Coil Line Operator | Competitive Pay PVS Metals (Owen Industries) - Omaha, NE | Full-Time | Monday ... Operate overhead crane independently using remote controls to move material from the line

Nordex

Mechanical Production Technician

West Branch, IA · On-site

$23 - $27/hr

Experience with overhead crane operation. * Ability to achieve and maintain crane operator certification (Required). * Proficiency in using torque tools, pneumatic and hydraulic tools, and measuring ...

Nordex

Mechanical Production Technician

West Branch, IA · On-site

$23 - $27/hr

Experience with overhead crane operation. * Ability to achieve and maintain crane operator certification (Required). * Proficiency in using torque tools, pneumatic and hydraulic tools, and measuring ...

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All JobsOverhead Crane Operator JobsOverhead Crane Operator Jobs in Iowa

Overhead Crane Operator information

See Iowa salary details

$12

$17

$22

How much do overhead crane operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for overhead crane operator in Iowa is $17.04, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.34 and $18.08 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an overhead crane operator?

Overhead Crane Operators are skilled professionals who operate cranes that move heavy materials through the overhead space in factories, warehouses, construction sites, and other industrial settings. They use mechanical and electronic controls to lift, move, and position loads precisely, often working with large, heavy, or unwieldy objects. These operators must follow strict safety protocols to ensure the safety of themselves and others, as well as the integrity of the materials being handled. Their role is crucial to efficient material handling and workflow in many industrial environments.

What does an overhead crane operator do?

As an overhead crane operator, your duties and responsibilities include operating different types of cranes, such as a gantry crane, at a construction site, rail depot, shipyard, or another facility. You use cranes for lifting steel components, ship containers, or other large objects. For example, at a construction site, you may move beams or mechanical equipment up to the tops of skyscrapers. At a port, on the other hand, you use cranes to unload ships and load trucks or trains which carry the freight to distribution facilities.

What are some common challenges overhead crane operators face on the job?

Overhead Crane Operators often encounter challenges such as maneuvering heavy loads in tight or crowded spaces, maintaining focus during repetitive tasks, and adhering to strict safety protocols. Operators must constantly communicate with ground personnel to ensure smooth coordination and prevent accidents. Additionally, they need to stay updated on equipment maintenance and quickly troubleshoot any mechanical issues to minimize downtime.

What is the difference between Overhead Crane Operator vs Forklift Operator?

AspectOverhead Crane OperatorForklift Operator
CertificationsCrane operator license, OSHA certificationForklift certification, OSHA certification
Work EnvironmentFactories, warehouses, construction sites with overhead cranesWarehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing plants
Job DutiesOperate overhead cranes to move heavy loads vertically and horizontallyOperate forklifts to transport materials over short distances

Both roles require OSHA certification and are common in industrial settings. Overhead Crane Operators focus on lifting heavy loads with overhead cranes, while Forklift Operators handle material transport using forklifts. Understanding these differences helps employers and job seekers find the right fit based on skills and work environment.

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What job categories do people searching Overhead Crane Operator jobs in Iowa look for?

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Overhead Crane Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Overhead Crane Operator job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 2% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 4% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $35,443 per year, or $17 per hour.

Hydraulic Crane Operator

Granite

Des Moines, IA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago

Granite Telecommunications rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 24 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

53rd of 99 rated telecommunications companies

Job description

Building a career at Granite may be the most valuable thing you could do...

Find your dream job today, and be part of something great. Our most powerful partnership is the one we have with our employees. Our people are our most valued asset and the foundation of Granite's century-old success. We're building more than infrastructure; we are building your future.

General Summary

Operates crane to lift and move building materials from ground areas to trucks to top of other structures

Essential Job Accountabilities

  • Assist with lift plan.

  • Have proper certifications to operate specific crane equipment.

  • Pushes or pulls levers on control console to rotate counter-balanced horizontally-mounted boom to extend or retract trolley along boom, and to raise and lower hook to which loads are attached.

  • Controls crane movement in response to hand signals or radio commands by supervisor or signaler.

Education

  • High School Diploma, GED or equivalent years of experience

Certification

  • NCCCO Telescopic Boom - Swing Cab

  • NCCCO Lattice Boom Crawler

Work Experience

  • Appropriate training and experience required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Workers should be able to:

  • Practice good safety habits

  • Work in dusty or dirty surroundings, including rough terrain

  • Follow instructions and meet set standards

  • Judge distances and slopes accurately

  • Make decisions based on verifiable standards.

  • Travel Required

Physically, workers must be able to:

  • Stoop, bend, and crouch

  • Use hands, arms, and legs fully

  • See well (either naturally or with correction)

  • Lift up to 50 pounds, with frequent lifting and carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

About Granite Construction Incorporated

Granite Construction Incorporated is a member of the S&P 400 Index and is the parent company of Granite Construction Company, one of the nation's largest heavy civil contractors and construction materials producers. Granite is a Drug-Free Workplace and Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.We consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws.

For additional information on applicant/employee rights please clickhere.

Notice to Staffing Agencies

Granite Construction, Inc. and its subsidiaries ("Granite") will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. Any unsolicited resumes sent to Granite, including unsolicited resumes sent to a Granite mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Granite employees, or to Granite's resume database will be considered Granite property. Granite will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume.Granite will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees.Agencies must obtain advance written approval from Granite's recruiting function to submit resumes, and then only in conjunction with a valid fully-executed contract for service and in response to a specific job opening.Granite will not pay a fee to any Agency that does not have such agreement in place.Agency agreements will only be valid if in writing and signed by Granite's Human Resources Representative or his/ her designee. No other Granite employee is authorized to bind Granite to any agreement regarding the placement of candidates by Agencies.

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