There are currently an estimated 46,000 crane operators in the United States. The crane operator job market is expected to grow by 8.5% between 2016 and 2026.
How employable are crane operators?
CareerExplorer rates crane operators with a C employability rating, meaning this career should provide moderate employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 10,900 crane operators. That number is based on 3,900 additional crane operators, and the retirement of 7,000 existing crane operators.
What’s the supply of crane operators?
The crane operator industry is concentrated in Texas, California, Pennsylvania
Crane Operator job market by state
| State Name | Employed Crane Operators |
|---|---|
| Texas | 6,880 |
| California | 3,270 |
| Pennsylvania | 3,020 |
| Louisiana | 3,010 |
| Florida | 2,390 |
| Indiana | 1,950 |
| Illinois | 1,930 |
| Ohio | 1,660 |
| New York | 1,220 |
| Virginia | 1,220 |
| Washington | 1,150 |
| Alabama | 1,080 |
| Iowa | 860 |
| Michigan | 840 |
| Maryland | 760 |
| North Carolina | 750 |
| Oregon | 730 |
| New Jersey | 710 |
| Kentucky | 670 |
| Mississippi | 620 |
| Minnesota | 620 |
| Georgia | 610 |
| Tennessee | 590 |
| Oklahoma | 520 |
| Kansas | 470 |
| South Carolina | 470 |
| Missouri | 450 |
| Wisconsin | 440 |
| Arkansas | 440 |
| Massachusetts | 440 |
| Colorado | 430 |
| Utah | 370 |
| Nevada | 300 |
| North Dakota | 290 |
| Maine | 290 |
| Connecticut | 280 |
| Nebraska | 280 |
| Arizona | 250 |
| Idaho | 220 |
| West Virginia | 210 |
| Puerto Rico | 190 |
| Montana | 180 |
| Hawaii | 150 |
| New Mexico | 110 |
| New Hampshire | 90 |
| Delaware | 90 |
| Vermont | 90 |
| Wyoming | 70 |
| Alaska | 60 |
| Guam | 50 |
| South Dakota | 50 |