GUEST COLUMN | OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN Breaking barriers
Women are increasingly stepping into hands-on roles in the crane industry, from operating heavy lifting equipment to ensuring safety and maintenance. As demand for skilled workers grows, so do opportunities for women in this traditionally male-dominated field. With competitive salaries, strong job growth and financial support for training, now is the perfect time for women to build rewarding careers in crane operations, inspection and maintenance. Mark Davis of Trans-Lube explores the shifting landscape and the opportunities ahead.
roles. Now more than ever, women are taking advantage of hands-on crane industry jobs, such as crane operators, crane inspectors and crane maintenance technicians. And with more qualified candidates, employers are better able to fill their open crane-related jobs.
T
Job market, industry trends and career opportunities for women The crane industry has grown at an average annual rate of 7% since 2020 and is estimated to maintain that growth rate through 2030. To meet hiring demand, the industry is actively seeking to diversify its workforce, with a particular focus on recruiting more women into hands-on roles. And there is a lot of room for improvement. For instance, women represented only about 0.7% of tower crane operators and 5.4% of steel crane operators in 2022. But these numbers are steadily increasing as more women discover the opportunities available in this dynamic industry.
here has been a gradual but accelerating shift in the lifting industry as more women enter traditionally male-dominated
Crane operator The role of crane operator is more than just operating lifting equipment. It includes equipment safety and inspection, maintenance and repairs, documentation such as logs and job tickets, and crane set-up and stabilisation. Becoming a crane operator offers women a chance to play a crucial role in construction, manufacturing and logistics. Female crane operators are breaking stereotypes and proving their competence in this physically demanding and highly skilled profession. Becoming a crane operator takes motivation
and determination to complete the rigorous certification process. An operator must: be 18 years or older possess a high school diploma or GED have good eyesight, depth perception, hearing, strength and coordination
complete an accredited, three-to-eight-week crane training programme
pass a written and a practical, hands-on exam
The role of a crane operator pays well, with an average salary in the US of $68,000 per year.
Salaries range from an entry level $40,000 up to as much as $115,000 for highly experienced and specialised operators. There were 35,000 crane operator job openings in the fourth quarter of 2024, and crane operator salaries have increased by 14% over the past five years.
Crane inspector The crane inspector role is responsible for ensuring the safety and proper functioning of crane equipment. This role requires a keen eye for detail, technical knowledge and a strong commitment to safety standards. Women entering this field can contribute significantly to maintaining high safety standards in the industry. To achieve certification, an inspector must:
be 18 years or older possess a high school diploma or GED possess five or more years as a crane operator, supervisor, mechanic or technician
accumulate 2,000 hours of relevant work experience
complete a certification course pass both a written exam and a practical exam in the field
Crane inspector also pays well, with an average
salary in the US of $54,000. Pay for inspectors ranges from $45,000 to as much as $60,000. Crane inspector jobs have grown at an annual rate of 7%, tracking closely with the growth numbers for operators. There were more than 2,100 open crane inspector jobs at the end of 2024, reaffirming demand for the role.
Crane maintenance technician Crane maintenance technicians play a vital role in keeping crane equipment in optimal condition. This hands-on job involves regular inspections, repairs and maintenance tasks to keep cranes in service and ensure equipment longevity. Women with mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills can excel in this essential role. The path to become a crane maintenance
Talent and capability know no gender boundaries. 42 Spring 2025 |
ochmagazine.com
technician looks something like this: be 18 years or older possess a high school diploma or GED (technical degrees and certifications are a plus) gain on the job training in relevant
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63
