Material moving machine operators held about 741,500 jobs in 2018. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up material moving machine operators was distributed as follows:
Industrial truck and tractor operators | 615,000 |
Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators | 49,700 |
Crane and tower operators | 46,800 |
Conveyor operators and tenders | 22,900 |
Hoist and winch operators | 3,200 |
Loading machine operators, underground mining | 2,700 |
Dredge operators | 1,300 |
The largest employers of material moving machine operators were as follows:
Warehousing and storage | 25% |
Wholesale trade | 13 |
Temporary help services | 8 |
Construction | 7 |
Food manufacturing | 6 |
Material moving machine operators work indoors and outdoors in a variety of industries.
Injuries and Illnesses
Some material moving machine operator jobs can be dangerous. For example, crane operators work outdoors at great heights in all types of weather.
Dredge operators and hoist and winch operators have some of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. And although fatalities are uncommon, hoist and winch operators experience one of the highest rates of occupational fatalities of all occupations.
Many workers wear personal protective equipment, including gloves, hardhats, harnesses, and respirators to guard against injury.
Work Schedules
Most material moving machine operators work full time, and overtime for them is common. Because materials are shipped around the clock, some operators—especially those in warehousing—work overnight shifts.
Education and training requirements vary by occupation. Crane operators and excavating machine operators usually have several years of experience in related occupations, such as construction equipment operators or hoist or winch operators.
Education
Although no formal educational credential is usually required, some companies prefer to hire material moving machine operators who have a high school diploma. For crane and tower operators, excavating machine operators, and dredge operators, however, a high school diploma or equivalent typically is required.
Training
Although most material moving machine operators are trained on the job in less than a month, the amount of time spent in training will vary with the type of machine. Some machines, such as cranes and towers, are more complex than others, such as industrial trucks and forklifts. Learning to operate a forklift or an industrial truck in warehouses, for example, may take only a few days; training to operate a crane for port operations may take several months. Most workers are trained by a supervisor or another experienced employee.
During their training, material moving machine operators learn a number of safety rules, many of which are standardized through the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Employers must certify that each operator has received the proper training. Operators who work with hazardous materials receive further specialized training.
The International Union of Operating Engineers offers apprenticeship programs for heavy-equipment operators, such as excavating machine operators or crane operators. Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with technical instruction.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
A number of states and several cities require crane operators to be licensed. To get a license, operators typically must complete a skills test in which they show that they can control a crane. They also must pass a written exam that tests their knowledge of safety rules and procedures. Some crane operators and industrial truck and tractor operators may obtain certification, which includes passing a written exam.
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
Crane operators and excavating machine operators usually have several years of experience working as construction equipment operators, hoist and winch operators, or riggers and signalers.
Material moving machine operators typically have an interest in the Building interest area, according to the Holland Code framework. The Building interest area indicates a focus on working with tools and machines, and making or fixing practical things.
If you are not sure whether you have a Building interest which might fit with a career as a material moving machine operator, you can take a career test to measure your interests.
Material moving machine operators should also possess the following specific qualities:
Alertness. Machine operators must stay aware of their surroundings while operating machinery.
Dexterity. Operators sometimes have to maneuver their machines through tight spaces, around large objects, and on uneven surfaces.
Mechanical skills. Operators make minor adjustments to their machines when necessary.
Visual ability. When operating their machines, operators must be able to see clearly where they are driving or what they are moving. They must also watch for nearby workers, who may unknowingly be in their path.
The median annual wage for material moving machine operators was $35,850 in May 2018. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $25,270, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $56,780.
Median annual wages for material moving machine operators in May 2018 were as follows:
Crane and tower operators | $54,140 |
Loading machine operators, underground mining | 51,160 |
Hoist and winch operators | 45,490 |
Dredge operators | 45,260 |
Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators | 44,270 |
Industrial truck and tractor operators | 34,750 |
Conveyor operators and tenders | 32,980 |
In May 2018, the median annual wages for material moving machine operators in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
Construction | $48,970 |
Warehousing and storage | 35,250 |
Food manufacturing | 35,250 |
Wholesale trade | 34,380 |
Temporary help services | 29,820 |
Most material moving machine operators work full time, and overtime for them is common. Because materials are shipped around the clock, some operators—especially those in warehousing—work overnight shifts.
Overall employment of material moving machine operators is projected to grow 4 percent from 2018 to 2028, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Employment growth will vary by occupation.
Occupations tied to moving material in the construction industry, including crane and tower operators and excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, are projected to add jobs.
Employment of industrial truck and tractor operators is projected to grow 4 percent from 2018 to 2028, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Employment of this occupation is concentrated in warehouse environments. The demand for warehousing will continue to grow as more consumers choose to purchase products online. However, employment growth may be tempered for industrial truck and tractor operators as more warehouses begin using automated machinery to improve their operations. This equipment increases the efficiency of operators, allowing warehouses to employ fewer of them.
Employment of conveyor operators and tenders is projected to show little or no change from 2018 to 2028. Employment growth will be limited as more warehouses use equipment such as high-speed conveyors, high-speed sorting systems, and robotic pickers. This equipment increases the efficiency of operators and tenders, allowing warehouses to employ fewer of them.
Employment of dredge operators is projected to grow 6 percent from 2018 to 2028, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Dredging of various water areas, including canals, lakes, rivers, and harbors, will be necessary in order to improve traffic on waterways and to promote their recreational use.
Job Prospects
Job prospects are expected to be favorable. Many job openings should be created by the need to replace workers who leave these occupations.
For more information about careers as a material moving machine operator, visit
Warehousing Education and Research Council
International Union of Operating Engineers
National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators