### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Material Moving Machine Operators Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			material moving machine operators imageMaterial moving machine operators use machinery to move goods around a warehouse or onto container ships.							
						Quick Facts:     Material Moving Machine Operators2023     Median Pay
            						$44,750     per year
										$21.51     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    See How to Become OneWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    See How to Become OneOn-the-job Training
                                    See How to Become OneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    879,500Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    4% (As fast as average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    31,700What Material Moving Machine Operators Do
                                                
                        
                        
Material moving machine operators use equipment to transport objects.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Most material moving machine operators work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Because materials are shipped around the clock, some operators work overnight shifts.
            
                                                How to Become a Material Moving Machine Operator
                                                
                        
Education requirements vary by occupation. Crane and tower operators typically need work experience in a related occupation.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for material moving machine operators was $44,750 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Overall employment							of material moving machine operators is projected to grow							 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
						About 88,900 openings for material moving machine operators are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for material moving machine operators.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of material moving machine operators with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about material moving machine operators by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Material Moving Machine Operators Do 
            

			Material moving machine operatorsCrane and tower operators are commonly employed in construction and water transportation.			
Material moving machine operators use equipment to transport objects. For example, some operators move goods around factories and storage areas or onto container ships. Others move construction materials around building sites.
Duties
Material moving machine operators typically do the following:
Set up and inspect material moving equipment
Control equipment with levers, wheels, or foot pedals
Move material according to a plan or schedule
Signal and direct workers to load and unload materials
Keep a record of the material they move and where they move it to
Make minor repairs to their equipmentIn warehouses and factories, most material moving machine operators use forklifts and conveyor belts. Wireless sensors and tags keep track of merchandise, allowing operators to locate it faster. Some operators also check goods for damage. These operators usually work closely with hand laborers and material movers.
In construction, material moving machine operators transport objects around building sites. Some work on a building site for the entire length of the construction project. For example, certain material moving machine operators help to construct highrise buildings by transporting materials to workers who are far above ground level. (For information about workers who operate heavy machinery for building, road, and other construction sites, see the profile on construction equipment operators.)
All material moving machine operators are responsible for safely controlling their equipment or vehicle.
The following are examples of types of material moving machine operators:
***Conveyor operators and tenders*** control conveyor systems that move materials on an automatic belt. They monitor sensors to regulate the speed with which the system’s conveyor belt moves. They move materials to and from places such as storage areas, vehicles, and building sites. Operators also may check the shipping order and determine the route that materials take along a conveyor.
***Crane and tower operators*** use cable and tower equipment to lift and move materials, machinery, or other heavy objects. From a control station, operators extend and retract horizontal booms, rotate the superstructure, and lower and raise hooks attached to cables at the end of their crane or tower. Operators usually are guided by workers on the ground who use hand signals or transmit voice signals through a radio. Crane and tower operators usually work at construction sites or major ports, where they load and unload cargo. Operators also may work in iron and steel mills.
***Dredge operators*** excavate waterways. They operate equipment on the water to remove sand, gravel, or rock from harbors or lakes. Removing these materials helps to prevent erosion and to maintain navigable waterways, allowing larger ships to use ports. Dredging also is used to help restore wetlands and maintain beaches.
***Hoist and winch operators***, also called ***derrick operators***, control the movement of platforms, cables, and cages that transport workers or materials in industrial operations, such as constructing a highrise building. Operators regulate the speed of the equipment on the based on the needs of the workers.
***Industrial truck and tractor operators*** drive trucks and tractors that move materials around storage yards, warehouses, or other worksites. These trucks, often called forklifts, have a lifting mechanism and forks, which make them useful for moving heavy and large objects. Some industrial truck and tractor operators drive tractors that pull trailers loaded with material around factories or storage areas.
 Work Environment
			Material moving machine operatorsIndustrial truck and tractor operators use forklifts in warehousing and storage facilities.			

	    
				
	
	    	    		Material moving machine operators held about 879,500 jobs in 2022. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up material moving machine operators was distributed as follows:
    	    	
    	Industrial truck and tractor operators
                796,600Crane and tower operators
                48,400Conveyor operators and tenders
                30,600Hoist and winch operators
                2,800Dredge operators
                1,000The largest employers of material moving machine operators were as follows:
        Warehousing and storage
                37%Wholesale trade
                10Temporary help services
                8Food manufacturing
                5Construction
                3Material moving machine operators work indoors and outdoors in a variety of industries.
Injuries and Illnesses
Hoist and winch operators have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations.
Many workers wear personal protective equipment—including gloves, hardhats, and harnesses—to guard against injury.
Work Schedules
Most material moving machine operators work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Because materials are shipped around the clock, some work overnight shifts.
 How to Become a Material Moving Machine Operator

			Material moving machine operatorsMaterial moving machine operators are trained on the job.			
Education and training requirements vary by occupation. Crane operators typically have several years of experience in a related occupation.
Education
Although no formal educational credential is typically required, companies may prefer to hire material moving machine operators who have a high school diploma. For crane and tower operators and dredge operators, a high school diploma or equivalent is typically required.
Training
Material moving machine operators typically are trained on the job in less than a month, but the amount of time spent in training varies with the type of machine. Some machines, such as cranes and towers, are complex and may require several months of training. Others, such as industrial trucks and forklifts, may take only a few days to learn how to operate. New workers usually are trained by an experienced employee.
During their training, material moving machine operators learn safety rules, many of which are standardized through the Occupational Safety & Health Administration(OSHA). Employers must certify that each operator has received the proper training. Operators who work with hazardous materials receive additional training.
The International Union of Operating Engineers offers training programs for heavy-equipment operators, such as crane operators.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Some states and cities require crane operators to be licensed. 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. Check with your state or city licensing agency for specific requirements.
Employers may require or prefer that workers become certified. For example, the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) offers several certifications for crane operators and related workers.
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
Crane and tower operators typically have several years of experience working as construction equipment operators, hoist and winch operators, or riggers and signalers.
Important Qualities
***Communication skills.***Material moving machine operators signal and direct workers to load and unload material. They also receive direction from workers on the ground when moving material.
***Coordination*.** Material moving machine operators must have steady hands and feet to guide and control heavy machinery precisely. They use hand controls to maneuver their machines through tight spaces, around large objects, and on uneven surfaces.
***Mechanical skills.*** Material moving machine operators make minor adjustments to their machines and perform basic maintenance on them.
***Visual ability.*** Material moving machine 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.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Material Moving Machine OperatorsMedian annual wages, May 2023Total, all occupations$48,060  Material moving machine operators$44,750  Material moving workers$37,290Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for material moving machine operators was $44,750 in May 2023. 


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 $35,220, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $61,790.

			
                    	Median annual wages for material moving machine operators in May 2023 were as follows:
        Crane and tower operators
		$64,690Hoist and winch operators
		55,950Dredge operators
		50,440Industrial truck and tractor operators
		44,470Conveyor operators and tenders
		39,260In May 2023, the median annual wages for material moving machine operators in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Construction
                $67,860Warehousing and storage
                46,850Food manufacturing
                43,460Wholesale trade
                42,820Temporary help services
                37,220Most material moving machine operators work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Because materials are shipped around the clock, some work overnight shifts.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Material Moving Machine OperatorsPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Material moving workers5%  Material moving machine operators4%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Overall employment				of material moving machine operators is projected to grow				 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
			
			About 88,900 openings for material moving machine operators are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Projected employment of material moving machine operators varies by occupation (see table).
Material moving machine operators will be needed to move materials or products to and from various locations, such as warehouses, stockpiles, or processing stations. The continued growth in e-commerce will increase the amount of materials and products needing to be moved. However, employment demand for these workers may be limited by the expansion of automated machinery and technologies, such as sensors and scanners, that improve operations and increase efficiencies.
			

                        Employment projections data for     material moving machine operators, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Material moving machine operators**
			—
			879,500
			911,200
			4
			31,700
			—**Conveyor operators and tenders**
			53-7011
			30,600
			32,400
			6
			1,800
			Get data**Crane and tower operators**
			53-7021
			48,400
			48,500
			0
			100
			Get data**Dredge operators**
			53-7031
			1,000
			1,100
			0
			0
			Get data**Hoist and winch operators**
			53-7041
			2,800
			2,700
			-2
			0
			Get data**Industrial truck and tractor operators**
			53-7051
			796,600
			826,500
			4
			29,900
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Conveyor operators and tenders
					Crane and tower operators
					Dredge operators
					Hoist and winch operators
					Industrial truck and tractor operators **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of material moving machine operators. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Construction Equipment Operators**
            Construction equipment operators drive, maneuver, or control the heavy machinery used to construct roads, buildings, and other structures.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $55,270**Delivery Truck Drivers and Driver/Sales Workers**
            Delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers pick up, transport, and drop off packages and small shipments within a local region or urban area.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $39,950**Hand Laborers and Material Movers**
            Hand laborers and material movers manually move freight, stock, or other materials.
            See How to Become One
            $36,770**Heavy and Tractor-trailer Truck Drivers**
            Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers transport goods from one location to another.
            Postsecondary nondegree award
            $54,320**Railroad Workers**
            Railroad workers ensure that passenger and freight trains operate safely. They may drive trains, coordinate the activities of the trains, or control signals and switches in the rail yard.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $73,580**Water Transportation Workers**
            Water transportation workers operate and maintain vessels that take cargo and people over water.
            See How to Become One
            $64,930
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about careers as a material moving machine operator, visit
International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE)
MHI
National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO)
Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC)

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Conveyor Operators and TendersCrane and Tower OperatorsDredge OperatorsHoist and Winch OperatorsIndustrial Truck and Tractor Operators
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Material Moving Machine Operators, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/material-moving-machine-operators.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


**U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics**
Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections 
PSB Suite 2135 
2 Massachusetts Avenue NE  
Washington, DC 20212-0001 Telephone:1-202-691-5700 

www.bls.gov/ooh
Contact OOH