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Overhead Crane Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Overhead Crane Operator

Catoosa, OK · On-site

$15.50 - $18.25/hr

Overhead Crane Operator | 2nd Shift Monday - Thursday 3PM-1AM | Shift Differential Pay | Opportunity for Advancement Essential Functions & Job Responsibilities: * Ability to operate forklifts, man ...

Overhead Crane Operator

Sinton, TX · On-site

$14.75 - $17.25/hr

Crane Operator - Sinton, TX Friedman Industries is seeking a safety-focused and dependable Crane Operator to join our operations team in Sinton, Texas. This role is responsible for operating overhead ...

$14.50 - $17/hr

Crane Operator Friedman Industries is seeking a safety-focused and dependable Crane Operator to join our operations team. This role is responsible for operating overhead cranes to safely move steel ...

Job Requirements Qualified candidates must have experience operating an overhead crane, must have previously worked in a manufacturing facility, must have steel toed boots, must be safety conscious ...

Overhead Crane Operator

Sinton, TX · On-site

$14.75 - $17.25/hr

Crane Operator - Sinton, TX Friedman Industries is seeking a safety-focused and dependable Crane Operator to join our operations team in Sinton, Texas. This role is responsible for operating overhead ...

Overhead Crane Operator

Catoosa, OK · On-site

$15.50 - $18.25/hr

Overhead Crane Operator | 2nd Shift Monday - Thursday 3PM-1AM | Shift Differential Pay | Opportunity for Advancement Essential Functions & Job Responsibilities: * Ability to operate forklifts, man ...

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Overhead Crane Operator

Sinton, TX · On-site

$14.75 - $17.25/hr

Crane Operator - Sinton, TX Friedman Industries is seeking a safety-focused and dependable Crane Operator to join our operations team in Sinton, Texas. This role is responsible for operating overhead ...

Overhead Crane Operator

Sinton, TX · On-site

$14.75 - $17.25/hr

Crane Operator - Sinton, TX Friedman Industries is seeking a safety-focused and dependable Crane Operator to join our operations team in Sinton, Texas. This role is responsible for operating overhead ...

Overhead Crane Operator

Sinton, TX · On-site

$14.75 - $17.25/hr

Crane Operator - Sinton, TX Friedman Industries is seeking a safety-focused and dependable Crane Operator to join our operations team in Sinton, Texas. This role is responsible for operating overhead ...

Overhead Crane Operator

Catoosa, OK · On-site

$15.50 - $18.25/hr

Overhead Crane Operator | 2nd Shift Monday - Thursday 3PM-1AM | Shift Differential Pay | Opportunity for Advancement Essential Functions & Job Responsibilities: * Ability to operate forklifts, man ...

Overhead Crane Operator

Fulton, MS

$15.75 - $18.50/hr

The primary responsibility of the Crane Operator is to safely operate the overhead crane to lift, move, and position loads of large bundles of copper tube stock, materials, and equipment throughout ...

Overhead Crane Operator

Fulton, MS · On-site

$15.75 - $18.50/hr

The primary responsibility of the Crane Operator is to safely operate the overhead crane to lift, move, and position loads of large bundles of copper tube stock, materials, and equipment throughout ...

Overhead Crane Operator

Concord, NC · On-site

$15.50 - $18.25/hr

Overhead Crane Operator Oldcastle, a CRH company, is reinventing what's possible in building solutions. We are the leading provider of innovative outdoor living products and utility infrastructure ...

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Overhead Crane Operator

Alsip, IL · On-site

$19 - $20/hr

We are seeking a dependable and safety-focused team member to join our production team as an Overhead Crane Operator (2nd Shift) . This role is responsible for safely moving materials, supporting ...

Overhead Crane Operator

Athens, TX

$15.25 - $18/hr

Description Job Summary Safely operate overhead cranes to lift, position, and move materials ... Complete the required crane safety training video. * Read and sign the Crane Operator

Overhead Crane Operator

Athens, TX · On-site

$15.25 - $18/hr

Job Summary Safely operate overhead cranes to lift, position, and move materials throughout the ... Complete the required crane safety training video. * Read and sign the Crane Operator

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Overhead Crane Operator information

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$13

$18

$24

How much do overhead crane operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for overhead crane operator in the United States is $18.14, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $19.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Overhead Crane Operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Overhead Crane Operator, you need a solid understanding of crane operation safety, load management, and mechanical aptitude, typically supported by a high school diploma and operator certification. Familiarity with industrial crane controls, rigging equipment, and OSHA safety standards is essential. Attention to detail, strong hand-eye coordination, and clear communication skills set top operators apart. These abilities are critical for ensuring safe, efficient material handling and preventing workplace accidents in 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 are Overhead Crane Operators?

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 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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Infographic showing various Overhead Crane Operator job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 11% Full Time, 87% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,735 per year, or $18.1 per hour.
Overhead Crane Operator (Nights)

Overhead Crane Operator (Nights)

EPIC PIPING, LLC

Livingston, LA

$15 - $17.75/hr

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago


Epic Piping rating

6.1

Company rating: 6.1 out of 10

Based on 9 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

Responsible for operating an overhead crane to lift, move, position, and reposition loads. Depresses buttons, lifts levers, and ensures load is safely attached to crane before bringing it down.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Essential Functions Statement(s)

• Operate crane under general supervision.

• Manipulate or depress crane controls to regulate speed and direction of crane and hoist movement according to written, verbal, or signal instructions.

• Lift, position, and place material or other large objects needed in bays.

• Work within precise limits and standards of accuracy.

• Operate crane according to signals from helper.

• Start and stop crane controls.

• Follow directions carefully.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Competency Statement(s)

  • Accountability - Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions.

  • Accuracy - Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly.

  • Active Listening - Ability to actively attend to, convey, and understand the comments and questions of others.

  • Detail Oriented - Ability to pay attention to the minute details of a project or task.

  • Loyal - The trait of feeling a duty to the employer.

  • Organized - Possessing the trait of being organized or following a systematic method of performing a task.

  • Reliability - The trait of being dependable and trustworthy.

  • Research Skills - Ability to design and conduct a systematic, objective, and critical investigation.

  • Responsible - Ability to be held accountable or answerable for one’s conduct.

  • Communication, Oral - Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word.

  • Communication, Written - Ability to communicate in writing clearly and concisely.

  • Honesty / Integrity - Ability to be truthful and be seen as credible in the workplace.

  • Working Under Pressure - Ability to complete assigned tasks under stressful situations.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Education: High School Graduate or General Education Degree (GED): Preferred

Experience:

Crane Operator I: 6 months to One-year experience with overhead crane

Crane Operator II: 1-3 years’ experience with overhead crane

Crane Operator III: 3 plus years’ experience with overhead crane

Computer Skills: Not applicable

Certifications & Licenses: None specifically required.