Crane and Tower Operators

Crane and Tower Operators score 18 out of 100, which is low exposure to AI. That ranks #649 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 11 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 1 on its own and 2 more with extra software built on top of it. None of its tasks showed up in real AI use in April–May 2026.

18/ 100

Low

Rank: #649of 923 jobs
US workers: 42,890BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $68,080a year
In real AI use: 0 of 11tasks, April–May 2026

Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 1 (9%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 2 (18%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 8 (73%)

Review daily work or delivery schedules to determine orders, sequences of deliveries, or special loading instructions.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Determine load weights and check them against lifting capacities to prevent overload.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Weigh bundles, using floor scales, and record weights for company records.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Move levers, depress foot pedals, or turn dials to operate cranes, cherry pickers, electromagnets, or other moving equipment for lifting, moving, or placing loads.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Inspect and adjust crane mechanisms or lifting accessories to prevent malfunctions or damage.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Inspect cables or grappling devices for wear and install or replace cables, as needed.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Direct helpers engaged in placing blocking or outrigging under cranes.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Clean, lubricate, and maintain mechanisms such as cables, pulleys, or grappling devices, making repairs, as necessary.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Load or unload bundles from trucks, or move containers to storage bins, using moving equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Inspect bundle packaging for conformance to regulations or customer requirements, and remove and batch packaging tickets.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Direct truck drivers backing vehicles into loading bays and cover, uncover, or secure loads for delivery.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task

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Questions about crane and tower operators and AI

Will AI replace crane and tower operators?

Unlikely. Most of the work is hard for today's AI to speed up. Crane and Tower Operators score 18 out of 100 (low exposure), #649 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 3 of the job's 11 tasks, 1 of them on its own, while 8 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which crane and tower operators tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Review daily work or delivery schedules to determine orders, sequences of deliveries, or special loading instructions".

Which crane and tower operators tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Move levers, depress foot pedals, or turn dials to operate cranes, cherry pickers, electromagnets, or other moving equipment for lifting, moving, or placing loads"; "Inspect and adjust crane mechanisms or lifting accessories to prevent malfunctions or damage"; "Inspect cables or grappling devices for wear and install or replace cables, as needed".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Not much yet. None of the job's tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude in April–May 2026, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as crane and tower operators, and what do they earn?

About 42,890 people in the US, with median pay of $68,080 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.

Crane and Tower Operators

Task by task

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Questions about crane and tower operators and AI

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