Career comparison
Crane Operator vs. Derrick Operator
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Crane operators earn more at the median ($68,080 vs. $58,620), while crane operators usually get to work faster (3–12 months plus experience of training). Crane operators lift steel, equipment and materials with cranes on job sites, ports and plants. Derrick operators work high in the drilling rig handling pipe and managing drilling mud.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Crane Operator | Derrick Operator | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $68,080 ($32.73/hr) | $58,620 ($28.18/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $42,640 – $103,570 | $43,380 – $81,800 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.8% (about as fast as average) | +1.6% (slower than average) |
| Openings per year | 3,500 | 900 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | No formal educational credential |
| Training time | 3–12 months plus experience | Under 5 years of rig experience |
| Key credential | NCCCO Crane Operator certification | IADC RigPass |
| Work setting | Operators work in crane cabs on construction sites, ports and industrial facilities, often high above the ground in tower cranes, in all weather.. | Derrick operators work on drilling rigs, at heights on the derrick and around the mud system, in all weather.. |
What each job does
Crane Operator
- Inspect cranes before each shift
- Set up outriggers and mats on stable ground
- Read load charts and plan lifts
- Operate controls to lift and place loads
- Follow signal person directions
Derrick Operator
- Handle pipe from the monkeyboard
- Mix and condition drilling mud
- Test mud weight and properties
- Maintain mud pumps and solids control
- Inspect derrick equipment
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work and working outdoors. They sit in different fields, transportation & logistics and energy & utilities, but share transferable skills such as concentration and teamwork.
Which should you choose?
Choose crane operator if…
- I like operating big machines
- I stay focused for long periods
- I’m comfortable at heights
Choose derrick operator if…
- I’m comfortable at heights
- I want good pay without a degree
- I can handle rotations away from home
Still torn? Take the Crane Operator fit quiz and the Derrick Operator fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, crane operator or derrick operator?
Crane Operators earn more at the median: $68,080 versus $58,620 for derrick operators, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Crane Operators typically train faster (3–12 months plus experience) than derrick operators (Under 5 years of rig experience).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects crane operators to grow +3.8% from 2025–35, compared with +1.6% for derrick operators.