Crane operators
Crane operators operate cranes or draglines to lift, move, position or place machinery, equipment and other large objects at construction or industrial sites, ports, railway yards, surface mines and other similar locations. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Good
Market Demand
TEER 2
Skill Level
NS, SK, ON
Top Provinces
What They Do
- Operate mobile and tower cranes to lift, move, position or place equipment and materials
- Perform pre-operational inspection, and calculate crane capacities and weight to prepare for rigging and hoisting
- Operate pile driving cranes to drive pilings into earth to provide support for buildings and other structures
- Operate cranes equipped with dredging attachments to dredge waterways and other areas
- Operate gantry cranes to load and unload ship cargo at port side
- Operate locomotive cranes to move objects and materials at railway yards
- Operate bridge or overhead cranes to lift, move and place plant machinery and materials
- Operate offshore oil rig cranes to unload and reload supply vessels
- Operate cranes mounted on boats or barges to lift, move and place equipment and materials
- Operate dragline cranes to expose coal seams and ore deposits at open pit mines
- May assemble tower cranes on site
- Perform routine maintenance work such as cleaning and lubricating cranes.
Qualifications
- checkCompletion of secondary school is usually required.
- checkCompletion of a one- to three-year apprenticeship program orindustry courses in crane operating are usually required.
- checkMobile crane operator trade certification, for specified types of cranes, is compulsory in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and the Northwest Territories.
- checkTower crane operator trade certification is compulsory in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia and available, but voluntary, in Prince Edward Island.
- checkHoist operator trade certification, for specified types of cranes, is compulsory in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia and is available, but voluntary, in New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
- checkMobile crane operators may require a provincial licence to drive mobile cranes on public roads.
- checkInternal company certification as a crane operator may be required by some employers.
- checkRed Seal endorsement is also available to qualified mobile crane and tower crane operators upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
Market Outlook by Province
Nova Scotia
The employment outlook will be Good for crane operators (NOC 72500) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about crane operators in Nova Scotia: Approximately 350 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Crane operators mainly work in the following sectors: Construction (NAICS 23): 56%Support activities for transportation (NAICS 488): 6%Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 6% 56% of crane operators work all year, while 43% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 42 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: more than 95% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: less than 5% compared to 49% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: 5% compared to 10% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 15% compared to 27% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 63% compared to 12% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 16% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: n/a university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
Good
Outlook
Saskatchewan
The employment outlook will be Good for crane operators (NOC 72500) in Saskatchewan for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.Here are some key facts about crane operators in Saskatchewan: Approximately 400 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Crane operators mainly work in the following sectors: Construction (NAICS 23): 35%Primary metal manufacturing (NAICS 331): 12%Wholesale trade (NAICS 41): 9%Wood product manufacturing (NAICS 321): 8%Truck transportation (NAICS 484): 8% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 93% compared to 81% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 7% compared to 19% for all occupations54% of crane operators work all year, while 46% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 42 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.Less than 5% of crane operators are self-employed compared to an average of 16% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: more than 95% compared to 53% for all occupations Women: less than 5% compared to 47% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: 9% compared to 11% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 30% compared to 33% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 48% compared to 15% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 9% compared to 17% for all occupations bachelor's degree: n/a university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
Good
Outlook
Ontario
The employment outlook will be Moderate for crane operators (NOC 72500) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment is expected to remain relatively stable.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.There are several unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about crane operators in Ontario: Approximately 6,650 people work in this occupation. Crane operators mainly work in the following sectors: Construction (NAICS 23): 43%Primary metal manufacturing (NAICS 331): 15%Wholesale trade (NAICS 41): 10%Motor vehicle, body, trailer and parts manufacturing (NAICS 3361-3363): 5% 69% of crane operators work all year, while 31% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 46 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.Less than 5% of crane operators are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: more than 95% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: less than 5% compared to 48% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: 11% compared to 9% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 32% compared to 25% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 37% compared to 8% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 18% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 24% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations
Moderate
Outlook
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Immigration Pathways
TEER 2 occupations require college education or apprenticeship training and qualify for Express Entry under the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
Express Entry (FSW)
Canadian Experience Class
Provincial Nominee Programs
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Top Companies Hiring
Organizations with the most NOC 72500 openings right now.
Graham
5 active roles · Burnaby, BC · Fort McKay, AB
Brannon Steel
5 active roles · Brampton, ON
Loblaw Companies
4 active roles · Miramichi, NB · Kirkland, QC
Konecranes
4 active roles · Burlington, ON · Thunder Bay, ON
Marriott International
3 active roles · Victoria, BC · Vancouver, BC
Tundra Process Solutions
2 active roles · Montréal, QC · Pointe-aux-Trembles, QC
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Search Crane operatorsarrow_forwardCore Competencies
Operation and Control
to adequately control the crane’s mechanical and electrical systems, which requires ensuring loads are placed correctly and lifts and movements are precise and accurate
Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment
to prevent accidents or equipment failure by continuously observing the crane’s performance and condition during operation
Control of Settings
to adjust and fine-tune crane operations to accommodate diverse job site conditions, managing complex load movements and environmental factors safely and efficiently
Control of Settings
to adjust and fine-tune crane operations to accommodate diverse job site conditions, managing complex load movements and environmental factors safely and efficiently
Multi-Limb Coordination
to coordinate their hands and feet to control the crane’s movements, including lifting, swinging and lowering loads using hand and foot controls
Collaboration
to ensure lifts are conducted safely and accurately as crane operators often work closely with ground crew, signalers and other operators
Knowledge in Vehicle, Machinery and Equipment Operations
to understand the precise operation, control and maintenance of various types of cranes, including safety protocols, load dynamics, complex rigging techniques and advanced troubleshooting
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