As of June 2026, Crane and Tower Operators has an AI-exposure score of 46/100 (Moderate exposure) on the AI-Safe Careers index, blending O*NET tasks, the Anthropic Economic Index, the Penn/OpenAI study, and BLS data. This is an estimate of task exposure, not a prediction of job loss.

AI Exposure Score for

Crane and Tower Operators

46/100
Moderate exposure
LowModerateElevatedHighVery High

More exposed than 24% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$68,080. About 3,800 projected openings a year (BLS 2024–34 — growth plus replacement).

Pay & demand figures are US medians (BLS, in USD) — your local figures will differ. Your exposure score applies broadly.

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How you compare to similar Transportation roles

Crane and Tower Operators (you)
46
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers
46
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity
46
Parking Attendants
46
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
46
Sailors and Marine Oilers
47
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Your tasks, by AI exposure

Automatable
  • Review daily work or delivery schedules to determine orders, sequences of deliveries, or special loading instructions.
Augmentable
  • Weigh bundles, using floor scales, and record weights for company records.
  • Direct helpers engaged in placing blocking or outrigging under cranes.
  • Determine load weights and check them against lifting capacities to prevent overload.
  • Load or unload bundles from trucks, or move containers to storage bins, using moving equipment.
  • Clean, lubricate, and maintain mechanisms such as cables, pulleys, or grappling devices, making repairs, as necessary.
  • Direct truck drivers backing vehicles into loading bays and cover, uncover, or secure loads for delivery.
  • Move levers, depress foot pedals, or turn dials to operate cranes, cherry pickers, electromagnets, or other moving equipment for lifting, moving, or placing loads.
Durable
  • Inspect bundle packaging for conformance to regulations or customer requirements, and remove and batch packaging tickets.
  • Inspect and adjust crane mechanisms or lifting accessories to prevent malfunctions or damage.
  • Inspect cables or grappling devices for wear and install or replace cables, as needed.

Safer adjacent roles

YOUR ROLE TODAY
Crane and Tower Operators 46
→
Hoist and Winch Operators 80% overlap43Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators 72% overlap46Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining 64% overlap41
Hoist and Winch Operators
80% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$56,450
43
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
72% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$46,420
46
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
64% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$57,430
41
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
56% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$65,510
47
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
48% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$59,850
41
Riggers
40% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$62,640
45
Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
40% skills overlap · Low exposure · ~US$74,500
38
Pile Driver Operators
40% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$73,300
43

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Important: This is an estimate of AI exposure, not a prediction that your job will disappear. It is designed to help you understand how your role may change and improve your career resilience.

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