An Inside Look at Crane Operator Requirements

It’s no secret that mobile crane operators are in demand, and their high salaries prove it. A 2024 survey by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) compared the salaries of different construction jobs and found that mobile crane operators were near the top, earning an average of $80,674 annually. If you want to join this rewarding career, you need to know what crane operator requirements are. Let’s take a closer look at what a typical mobile crane operator’s job requirements are, and then see how PTS can help prepare you for a successful career.

If you’re wondering what course you should take at PTS to launch your career, check out more information here.

Crane Operator Requirements and Responsibilities

There are several physical crane operator requirements that are essential for success in that job. Since you’ll be operating heavy machinery on a construction site, you’ll need good hand-eye coordination, as well as good vision, depth perception, and spatial awareness. Your hearing must be adequate, either with or without a hearing aid, because you typically must be constantly communicating with other site workers. You also need strength and endurance to successfully operate a mobile crane and react quickly to changes in the environment.

Beyond physical requirements, you’ll need to be able to remain calm in stressful situations and remain adaptable to whatever changes may occur on the job site. Communication and teamwork skills are also vital, so you need to be able to cooperate with others. Since you’ll be responsible for operating a mobile crane, you’ll need to understand crane safety and preventative maintenance.

Crane operator requirements also include practical thinking. You’ll need to be able to assess conditions quickly and follow site plans. Ninth-grade level reading and math skills are required to be successful in this position, so don’t worry if you don’t have a college degree. As long as you have basic critical thinking skills, you’ll be able to successfully become a mobile crane operator.

Now that you understand crane operator requirements, how do you break into this career? PTS can help you take the first step.

Partner with PTS to Elevate Your Mobile Crane Operator Training

Our highly reviewed mobile crane operations course trains you to find entry-level employment as an NCCCO certified crane operator. This three-week, 120-hour course gives you the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to operate both Mobile Hydraulic Telescopic Boom Swing-Cab and Telescopic Boom Fixed-Cab cranes.

In addition to classroom learning, you’ll gain real-world experience with in-the-seat field instruction. Crane operator requirements include practical education to help you become more confident and familiar with operating cranes. You’ll learn crane safety, operation, preventative maintenance, wire rope, and basic rigging practices.

After successfully completing this course, you’ll have the opportunity to earn your crane operator certification from the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO). This five-year certification is in-demand in the construction industry, and will help you stand out to employers. PTS can help prepare you for this important crane certification.

PTS is here to help you in your journey to becoming a crane operator. In fact, graduates are always welcome back at PTS for a brief refresher on any piece of equipment on which they’ve been trained. We want to support you as you begin your new and rewarding career as a crane operator. If you schedule a tour at PTS, you can even earn a $500 tuition reduction scholarship. For more information about crane operator requirements and our training programs, get in touch today.