Hoist and Winch Operators
Operate or tend hoists or winches to lift and pull loads using power-operated cable equipment.
Also called: Hoist Operator · Hoistman · Material Handler · Service Operator · Winch Derrick Operator
Median pay (national)
$52,310
$33,910–$116,120 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
2,480
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-1.1%
~300 openings/yr
Typical entry
No formal educational credential
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for hoist and winch operators shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $116,120 versus $33,910 at the bottom 10% — 3.4x. The median of $52,310 leaves roughly 122% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -1.1% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 300 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 27 states with released data, Illinois pays the most for this role (median $116,120, +122% vs the national median), while Kentucky sits lowest at $17,330 — a 570% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Active Listening as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Reading Comprehension
- Mathematics
- Learning Strategies
- Writing
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
- Move or reposition hoists, winches, loads and materials, manually or using equipment and machines such as trucks, cars, and hand trucks.
- Signal and assist other workers loading or unloading materials.
- Attach, fasten, and disconnect cables or lines to loads, materials, and equipment, using hand tools.
- Observe equipment gauges and indicators and hand signals of other workers to verify load positions or depths.
- Operate compressed air, diesel, electric, gasoline, or steam-driven hoists or winches to control movement of cableways, cages, derricks, draglines, loaders, railcars, or skips.
- Start engines of hoists or winches and use levers and pedals to wind or unwind cable on drums.
- Select loads or materials according to weight and size specifications.
- Apply hand or foot brakes and move levers to lock hoists or winches.
- Oil winch drums so that cables will wind smoothly.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Mechanical
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Transportation
- Administration and Management
- Engineering and Technology
- Education and Training