Transportation & Logistics career

Hoist Operator

Also called: Winch Operator · Hoist and Winch Operator · Construction Hoist Operator · Mine Hoist Operator

What hoist operators do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a hoist operator do?

Hoist and winch operators operate or tend hoists or winches to lift and pull loads using power-operated cable equipment. The median pay is $56,450 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few weeks of training, and employment is projected to grow +0.2% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $56,450
    $27.14/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +0.2%
    2025–35, little or no change
  • Openings per year
    300
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    No formal educational credential
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    A few weeks of training
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    3,200
    Employment, 2025

What hoist operators do

Hoist operators lift loads safely. They run construction elevators, mine hoists, winches on ships and trucks, and overhead hoists in plants, follow signals, inspect cables and keep logs.

No formal education is required, and training is short. BLS projects little change.

Typical duties

  • Operate hoists and winches
  • Follow signals
  • Inspect cables
  • Check load limits
  • Lift people or materials
  • Maintain equipment
  • Keep logs

Work environment and schedule

Operators work at construction sites, mines, ports and plants.

Schedule: Full time, often shifts.

A day in the life

  1. Inspect the hoist.
  2. Test brakes.
  3. Lift crews to upper floors.
  4. Lift materials.

See a full day in the life of a hoist operator →

Hoist Operator salary

Half of hoist operators earned more than $56,450 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $35,640 for the lowest 10% to $118,210 for the top 10%.

Full hoist operator pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a hoist operator

  1. Apply to a contractor or mine
  2. Complete safety training
  3. Learn the hoist
  4. Get certified
  5. Advance

No formal educational credential is required.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a hoist operator →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Hoist operation
  • Signals
  • Rigging basics
  • Load limits
  • Cable inspection

People skills

  • Focus
  • Responsibility
  • Communication
  • Calm

All hoist operator skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Short training
  • Good construction pay
  • Steady work
  • Union jobs common

Cons

  • Weather
  • High responsibility
  • Noise
  • Shift work

Certifications and licenses

  • Hoist operator certification: NCCCO or state.
  • MSHA training: At mines.
  • Rigging and signal training: Helpful.
  • OSHA 10: Safety.

Career path

  1. Hoist Operator: Entry.
  2. Senior Operator: Complex lifts.
  3. Crane Operator: Cranes.
  4. Lift Supervisor: Lead.

Learn the job before day one

Our Hoist Operator training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as inspect wire rope before use and follow crane and hoist hand signals, safety and how to land your first job.

View Hoist Operator trainingIs this career right for me?

Crane Operator

Lift steel, equipment and materials with cranes on job sites, ports and plants.

  • $68,080
  • 3–12 months plus experience

Heavy Equipment Operator

Operate excavators, dozers, loaders and graders to move earth and build infrastructure.

  • $59,850
  • Months to 4 years

Construction Laborer

Prepare sites, move materials, pour concrete and support every trade on the job.

  • $47,120
  • Days to weeks (on the job)

Dredge Operator

Run dredges that deepen harbors, rivers and channels.

  • $49,640
  • Months of on-the-job training

Compare: Hoist Operator vs. Crane Operator · Hoist Operator vs. Heavy Equipment Operator · Hoist Operator vs. Construction Laborer · Hoist Operator vs. Dredge Operator

Hoist Operator FAQ

Do I need certification?

Some states and mines require it.

Is the job growing?

BLS projects little change.

Can I become a crane operator?

Yes, it’s a common path.

How much does a hoist operator make?

The median annual wage for hoist operators was $56,450 ($27.14 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $35,640 and the highest 10% earned more than $118,210.

How long does it take to become a hoist operator?

Most people need about A few weeks of training of training. No formal educational credential is required.

Do you need a degree to be a hoist operator?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.

More hoist operator questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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