Hoist and Winch Operators

SOC code 53-7041 · O*NET-SOC 53-7041.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Transportation

Hoist and Winch Operators pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$56,450

a year

Hourly

$27.14

per hour

10th$35,640Median$56,45090th$118,210

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$67,710

$32.55 per hour

Middle 50%

$42,690 – $94,350

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$35,640 – $118,210

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

2,600

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $35,640; $17.13/hr
25th percentile: $42,690; $20.53/hr
Median percentile: $56,450; $27.14/hr
75th percentile: $94,350; $45.36/hr
90th percentile: $118,210; $56.83/hr

What do hoist and winch operators do?

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

The tasks that matter most day to day

Operate compressed air, diesel, electric, gasoline, or steam-driven hoists or winches to control movement of cableways, cages, derricks, draglines, loaders, railcars, or skips.
Signal and assist other workers loading or unloading materials.
Observe equipment gauges and indicators and hand signals of other workers to verify load positions or depths.
Start engines of hoists or winches and use levers and pedals to wind or unwind cable on drums.
Apply hand or foot brakes and move levers to lock hoists or winches.
Repair, maintain, and adjust equipment, using hand tools.
Tend auxiliary equipment, such as jacks, slings, cables, or stop blocks, to facilitate moving items or materials for further processing.
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.

How to qualify for this work

Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed

Education: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Training: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

See all zone 2 occupations →

The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.

Common questions

How much does a hoist and winch operators earn?

The national median is $56,450 a year. The full range runs from $35,640 at the 10th percentile to $118,210 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a hoist and winch operators without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Critical Thinking3.8/5
Monitoring3.6/5
Active Listening3.4/5
Speaking3.1/5

Knowledge areas

Mechanical3.1/5
English Language2.9/5
Customer and Personal Service2.9/5
Production and Processing2.8/5
Public Safety and Security2.8/5
Transportation2.8/5
Telecommunications2.7/5
Administration and Management2.6/5

Transferable strengths: Operations Monitoring, Time Management, Operation and Control, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Social Perceptiveness.