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Life As a Hoist and Winch Operator

Career Description Operate or tend hoists or winches to lift and pull loads using power-operated cable equipment.

Life As a Hoist & Winch Operator

Observe equipment gauges and indicators and hand signals of other workers to verify load positions or depths.
Move levers, pedals, and throttles to stop, start, and regulate speeds of hoist or winch drums in response to hand, bell, buzzer, telephone, loud-speaker, or whistle signals, or by observing dial indicators or cable marks.
Tend auxiliary equipment, such as jacks, slings, cables, or stop blocks, to facilitate moving items or materials for further processing.
Operate compressed air, diesel, electric, gasoline, or steam-driven hoists or winches to control movement of cableways, cages, derricks, draglines, loaders, railcars, or skips.
Start engines of hoists or winches and use levers and pedals to wind or unwind cable on drums.
Signal and assist other workers loading or unloading materials.

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Skills Needed to be a Hoist & Winch Operator

These are the skills Hoist and Winch Operators say are the most useful in their careers:

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

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Are There Job Opportunities for Hoist and Winch Operators?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 2,900 jobs in the United States for Hoist and Winch Operator. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Hoist and Winch Operator. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 400 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Hoist & Winch Operator are Arkansas, Nebraska, and North Dakota. Watch out if you plan on working in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, or Washington. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Hoist & Winch Operator Salary

The average yearly salary of a Hoist & Winch Operator ranges between $28,420 and $110,430.

Hoist and Winch Operators who work in Wyoming, Minnesota, or Washington, make the highest salaries.

How much do Hoist and Winch Operators make in different U.S. states?

State	Annual Mean Salary
Alabama	$42,010
California	$57,950
Florida	$49,830
Indiana	$40,550
Kentucky	$43,450
Maryland	$48,830
Michigan	$36,570
Minnesota	$77,840
Nebraska	$35,760
New Mexico	$53,570
New York	$53,030
Ohio	$37,480
Oregon	$47,210
Pennsylvania	$45,360
Tennessee	$37,820
Texas	$43,100
Utah	$53,350
Virginia	$40,450
Washington	$57,850
West Virginia	$61,000
Wyoming	$79,320

What Tools & Technology do Hoist and Winch Operators Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Hoist and Winch Operators:

Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
Data entry software

How do I Become a Hoist & Winch Operator?

Learn what Hoist and Winch Operator education requirements there are.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Hoist & Winch Operator?

Where Hoist and Winch Operators Work

Hoist and Winch Operators work in the following industries:

Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Those thinking about becoming a Hoist and Winch Operator might also be interested in the following careers:

Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders

References:

Image Credit: Hic85 via Public Domain

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