8 of the Best Types of Crane Operator Jobs in 2026

Discover some great types of Crane Operator jobs that are hiring now.

High Paying Crane Operator Jobs

• Per Diem Crane Operator

  Salary range: $45,000 - $69,000

  Per diem jobs are short-term positions which are paid by the day. The most common per diem job opportunities are in the medical field, including positions in nursing, hospice, pediatrics, and midwifery. Phlebotomists, operating (OR) assistants, and pharmacists may also work on a per diem basis. Per diem employees are often contracted to work as admissions coordinators, recreation coordinators, and assistants.

• Union Crane Operator

  Salary range: $45,000 - $69,000

  For those who work for unions, some of the specific jobs include researchers, organizers, administrators, lawyers, communications workers, and clerical staff. Your duties include entering workplaces to speak with workers and provide them encouragement and support if they are interested in joining a specific union, or to negotiate with employers for better working conditions, pay, or benefits for union members. There are numerous types of unions, including health care, public sector, construction, writing, and service workers unions, and they represent a variety of professions, such as nurses, journalists, manufacturers, construction workers, municipal workers, and hotel workers, to name only a few.

• From Home Crane Operator

  Salary range: $45,000 - $69,000

  From Home Crane Operator is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for From Home Crane Operator jobs pay between $45,000 (25th percentile) and $69,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for From Home Crane Operator job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Freelance Crane Operator

  Salary range: $45,000 - $69,000

  Freelancers are self-employed. As a freelancer, you provide work to clients and invoice them for it. The type of clients you have depends on what kind of services you offer. Your clients can be individuals or companies. A full-time freelancer often has assignments from multiple clients at once. Some common services that people provide as freelancers are: writing, editing, graphic design, web design, marketing, programming, accounting, and bookkeeping. Freelancing is ideal for those who prefer to be their own boss and are willing to market themselves to meet their income goals.

• Trainee Crane Operator

  Salary range: $33,500 - $57,000

  The requirements to get a trainee job vary by industry. In some, such as architecture or accounting, you must graduate from an accredited college program before you can begin work. Other industries, such as retail, manufacturing, or telemarketing, may require only a high school diploma or a GED certificate to begin a training program. No matter what profession you are interested in, you should have strong verbal and written communication and an interest in continuing the career.

• Apprentice Crane Operator

  Salary range: $35,500 - $45,500

  Apprentice Crane Operator is a common job search query. Most salaries for Apprentice Crane Operator jobs pay between $35,500 (25th percentile) and $45,500 (75th percentile) annually. You’ll find many open positions nationwide for Apprentice Crane Operator job searches, hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Entry Level Crane Operator

  Salary range: $32,500 - $39,500

  Entry-level jobs are positions that do not require any previous experience in the role. Most entry-level jobs are aimed at high school or college graduates as a starting point for a future career goal. A college student may have majored in their ideal career field, but will still need to start in an entry-level position to train in a real-world environment. Some students move from internships into entry-level jobs, but most entry-level jobs do not expect a candidate to have any prior employment or on-site training.

• Internship Crane Operator

  Salary range: $30,000 - $39,000

  An Internship is a position within your desired field that pays little or no money but offers you the opportunity to gain real-world experience. This may set you apart for your future job search. Generally, Internships are almost expected by employers on an entry-level candidate’s resume. You are much more of an asset to an employer if you have some work experience.