Hoist and Winch Operators
Operate or tend hoists or winches to lift and pull loads using power-operated cable equipment.
Also called: Air Hoist Operator, Air Lift Operator, Boat Hoist Operator, Boat Loader, Cable Operator, Cable Way Operator
Median pay
$56,450
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$35,640 – $118,210
People employed
2,600
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 2.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 3.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 4.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 5.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 6.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
The hard parts
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
Hoist and Winch Operators pay by state
Annual median pay by state (16 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What hoist and winch operators do
- 01Operate compressed air, diesel, electric, gasoline, or steam-driven hoists or winches to control movement of cableways, cages, derricks, draglines, loaders, railcars, or skips.
- 02Signal and assist other workers loading or unloading materials.
- 03Observe equipment gauges and indicators and hand signals of other workers to verify load positions or depths.
- 04Start engines of hoists or winches and use levers and pedals to wind or unwind cable on drums.
- 05Apply hand or foot brakes and move levers to lock hoists or winches.
- 06Repair, maintain, and adjust equipment, using hand tools.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Reading Comprehension
Knowledge
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Production and Processing
- Transportation
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: over 3 months, up to and including 6 months.
- A certification can help.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from hoist and winch operators
- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining89% · +2%
- Riggers88% · +11%
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators84% · +6%
- Pile Driver Operators83% · +30%
- Roustabouts, Oil and Gas81% · −17%
Change into hoist and winch operators
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining89% · $57,430
- Riggers88% · $62,640
- Roustabouts, Oil and Gas88% · $46,960
- Logging Equipment Operators85% · $49,740
- Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas84% · $58,620
Majors that lead here
- Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.