Crane drivers

£43,279

Average salary

Average annual salary UK 2022 | Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings

52 hours

Average weekly hours

Average weekly hours UK 2022 | Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings

6.25%

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate UK 2020 | Labour Force Survey

Definition: Crane drivers

*SOC Code (Standard Occupational Classification): 8221

Crane drivers supervise and undertake the operation of cranes, jib cranes, power driven hoisting machinery and power driven stationary engines to raise and lower mine and other cages, and to lift and move equipment, materials, machinery and containers.

Common tasks include:

gives signals for movement of cage carrying workers/equipment
starts crane or engine motor and checks that cables run freely and that brakes and drum(s) are working
manipulates levers, switches and pedals to rotate jibs into position and turns winding drum to raise or lower hook, bucket or other holding equipment
lifts load or cage, or hauls object into required position and lowers or positions for ground workers to detach, unload or load
watches control panel for warning lights and indications of wind speed and direction and carrying capacity of crane
oils and greases machine and checks ropes

Qualifications

There are no formal academic entry requirements, though GCSEs/S grades are advantageous. Entry is typically through an apprenticeship programme or college course in conjunction with on-the-job training, leading to a NVQ/SVQ Level 2/3 qualification, or through building up work experience operating other heavy machinery supplemented with short courses. Operators are required to hold a Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) card owned and administered by the National Open College Network (NOCN) group, demonstrating basic skills and safety awareness.

*Introduced in 1990, SOC is a multi-purpose common classification of occupations in UK. Jobs are defined in terms of skill level and skill content, including qualifications, training and work experience.

Employment status: Crane drivers

Regional employment: Crane drivers

Future employment: Crane drivers

Top 12 industries: Crane drivers

Alternative & related job titles: Crane drivers

Crane driver Crane operator Haulage engine driver Grab driver Winchman

Equality focus: Crane drivers

Breaking down the official government big data sources by gender, age and region. Hours and pay data based on full time equlivalent roles.