Crane Operator Jobs

Crane Operator jobs are open across construction, manufacturing, shipyards, and energy, at every level from apprentice to master operator, with specializations in tower crane, mobile crane, and overhead bridge crane operation. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.

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Overview

Open roles72
Top stateTexas
Top employerMSI
Top cityHouston, TX
Work type100% On-site
Top industryEnergy

Showing 5 of 72+ Crane Operator jobs

Chevron Geismar - Heavy Equipment Operator Crane NCCCO
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Added 5d ago
Chevron Geismar - Heavy Equipment Operator Crane NCCCO
Zachry Group
Geismar, Louisiana
Construction
Construction Management
Skilled Trades
Crane Certification
10,000+

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Overhead Crane Operator
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Added 5d ago
Overhead Crane Operator
Lehigh Heavy Forge
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Construction
Construction Management
Skilled Trades
On-Site
High school diploma or GED
51-200

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Crane Operator / Material Handler
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Added 6d ago
Crane Operator / Material Handler
Lakeside Surfaces
Muskegon, Michigan
Maintenance & Repair
Skilled Trades
Warehouse Operations
$18 - $24/hr
High school diploma or GED
51-200

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Material Handler 1 - Plasma Crane Operator - 1st shift
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Added 6d ago
Material Handler 1 - Plasma Crane Operator - 1st shift
BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc.
Saint Joseph, Missouri
Business Operations
Product Management
Project Management

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Shipping- Overhead Crane Operator
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Added 6d ago
Shipping- Overhead Crane Operator
Charter Manufacturing
Cuyahoga Heights, Ohio
Construction
Construction Management
Skilled Trades
High school diploma or GED
1,001-5,000

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Crane Operator Job Market

Who's Hiring

MSI5 open roles
Klöckner & Co SE3 open roles
ARCOSA2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Energy
  • Manufacturing
  • Construction & Real Estate
  • Renewable Energy

What Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in crane operator jobs.

  • NCCCO certification for the specific crane type being operated
  • Valid state crane operator license where required by jurisdiction
  • Minimum years of verifiable crane operation experience
  • Ability to read load charts, rigging plans, and site drawings
  • OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 construction safety certification
  • Valid commercial driver's license for mobile crane transport

Tips for Your Crane Operator Job Search

List every credential on your resume

Employers filter hard on certifications before they read anything else. List your NCCCO certifications, state licenses, and equipment endorsements near the top of your resume so they're visible immediately, not buried in a skills section.

Tailor your equipment experience by listing

Crane operator postings specify equipment types like tower, rough terrain, or lattice boom. Match your resume's equipment list to each posting's language exactly, because hiring managers search for specific machine names when they scan applications.

Apply early to roles that fit

Migrate Mate lists crane operator openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.

Target postings that name the project type

Job listings that mention bridge work, high-rise construction, or industrial plant maintenance attract fewer applicants than generic postings. If your background matches a specific project type named in the listing, say so explicitly in your application.

Prepare for a practical skills verification

Many crane operator interviews include a written safety knowledge test or a hands-on equipment check before any formal interview. Review load chart reading, rigging calculations, and signal hand codes so you're ready when an employer schedules an in-person assessment.

Negotiate your shift differential upfront

Crane operator roles frequently involve night, weekend, or rotating shifts, and many postings are negotiable on differential pay even when the base rate is fixed. Confirm shift expectations and differential terms before accepting an offer to avoid surprises.

Crane Operator Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions

Which companies are hiring the most crane operators?

The most active employers for crane operators right now are MSI, Klöckner & Co SE, and ARCOSA, and the most openings are in Texas, Indiana, and New York, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Construction and infrastructure firms tend to post in volume when large projects break ground.

How many crane operator jobs are remote?

About 0% of crane operator openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most crane work. The small remote share tends to cluster around dispatch coordination, lift planning, and operations management roles that don't require the operator to be physically on the equipment.

How do you become a crane operator?

Most crane operators start through a union apprenticeship with the International Union of Operating Engineers or a non-union employer training program, completing supervised hands-on hours alongside classroom instruction in rigging, load calculations, and safety. After training, you apply for NCCCO certification in your specific crane type and obtain any state license your jurisdiction requires before operating independently on a job site.

Can you get hired as a crane operator with little or no experience?

Entry-level crane operator roles do exist, but they almost always require completing a formal apprenticeship or employer-sponsored training program first, even if you have zero field hours coming in. Demonstrating a background in heavy equipment operation, rigger or signal person work, or ironworking gives you a practical edge when applying because employers can verify that you already understand job site safety culture and load dynamics.

What does the crane operator interview process look like?

Most crane operator hiring processes start with a phone or in-person screening focused on your certifications and equipment history, followed by a written test covering load charts, signal codes, and OSHA safety requirements. Qualified candidates are then invited to a practical evaluation where you operate equipment under observation, and union positions may also include a referral or dispatch step through the local hall before a final offer is extended.

Where can I find and apply to crane operator jobs?

You can find and apply to crane operator jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Search the available roles, find the listings that match your certifications and experience, and apply directly to each one that fits your situation.

See All 72 Crane Operator Jobs

Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Crane Operator Jobs