Occupation · SOC 53-7041
Hoist and Winch Operators
Operate or tend hoists or winches to lift and pull loads using power-operated cable equipment.
Median wage
$52,310
$33,910–$116,120
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
2,480
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
53 mapped
Core skills
Critical ThinkingOperations MonitoringMonitoringTime ManagementOperation and ControlActive ListeningJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingSpeakingSocial PerceptivenessManagement of Personnel ResourcesInstructingCoordinationRepairingActive LearningTroubleshootingService OrientationReading ComprehensionQuality Control AnalysisPersuasionEquipment SelectionEquipment MaintenanceNegotiationMathematicsLearning StrategiesWritingSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisOperations AnalysisManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesScienceInstallationTechnology DesignProgramming
Knowledge areas
MechanicalCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguagePublic Safety and SecurityTransportationAdministration and ManagementEngineering and TechnologyEducation and TrainingMathematicsProduction and ProcessingPhysicsDesignBuilding and ConstructionPersonnel and Human ResourcesComputers and ElectronicsTelecommunicationsChemistryLaw and GovernmentMedicine and DentistrySales and MarketingAdministrativeTherapy and CounselingCommunications and MediaPsychologyEconomics and AccountingGeographySociology and AnthropologyForeign LanguageBiologyHistory and ArcheologyFood ProductionPhilosophy and TheologyFine Arts
Technology & tools
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Word
Representative tasks
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentHandling and Moving ObjectsGetting InformationOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentControlling Machines and ProcessesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesTraining and Teaching OthersJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersProcessing InformationDocumenting/Recording InformationDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationDeveloping and Building TeamsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeAssisting and Caring for OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsCoaching and Developing OthersCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersAnalyzing Data or InformationRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentThinking CreativelyDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersWorking with ComputersScheduling Work and ActivitiesProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersSelling or Influencing OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationPerforming Administrative Activities
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Hoist and winch controls — identify and distinguish levers, pedals, and throttles under direct supervisor guidance at a construction or industrial site.Engine startup procedures — follow established steps to start diesel or electric hoist engines with direct oversight on a job site.Hand and audible signals — recognize and respond to basic hand, bell, and buzzer signals from co-workers during supervised lifting operations.Equipment gauges and indicators — observe and report readings on hoist gauges under direct instruction to verify safe operating conditions.Cable attachment procedures — assist in fastening and disconnecting cables or lines to loads using hand tools under close supervision.Load weight specifications — read and apply basic weight and size labels to select appropriate materials for hoisting under direction.Basic operational signals — listen and respond to loudspeaker or whistle commands to stop or start hoist drum movement in a supervised environment.Personal protective equipment — don and use required safety gear consistently while assisting with hoist and winch operations on an active job site.Material positioning assistance — support other workers in manually repositioning loads and materials safely under a lead operator's guidance.Work area awareness — monitor immediate surroundings for hazards and report concerns to a supervisor during entry-level hoist operations.
developing
Hoist drum operation — wind and unwind cable on drums using levers and pedals with reduced oversight during routine lifts at a construction or mining site.Multi-signal interpretation — interpret and act on hand, bell, buzzer, and telephone signals simultaneously to regulate hoist speed during standard operations.Gauge and depth monitoring — routinely observe equipment gauges, dial indicators, and cable marks to verify load depth and position without constant supervision.Load selection and verification — independently select loads according to weight and size specifications and confirm compliance before initiating a lift.Cable connection and disconnection — attach and detach cables and rigging lines to varied loads using hand tools efficiently during routine material handling cycles.Compressed-air and electric hoist operation — operate multiple drive types including compressed-air and electric hoists to move cages, derricks, or railcars across familiar task conditions.Equipment repositioning — move and reposition hoists or winches using hand trucks or light vehicles to prepare for successive lifts on a job site.Co-worker coordination — signal and guide ground crew members loading or unloading materials to maintain safe and efficient workflow during standard shifts.Time-aware task sequencing — manage hoist operation schedules to meet project timelines while maintaining safety standards during predictable daily workflows.Routine maintenance awareness — identify and report common equipment wear or minor malfunctions to maintenance personnel before they escalate on a worksite.
proficient
Full-range hoist operation — autonomously operate compressed-air, diesel, electric, gasoline, and steam-driven hoists across cableways, draglines, and skip systems in complex or non-routine site conditions.Non-routine signal management — interpret ambiguous or conflicting signals from multiple sources and make independent control adjustments to ensure safe load movement during high-demand operations.Precision load control — apply arm-hand steadiness and control precision to position heavy or oversized loads accurately in confined or hazardous work areas without supervisory direction.Complex load assessment — evaluate non-standard load configurations for weight distribution and rigging risk, selecting appropriate cables and attachment methods independently.Equipment troubleshooting — diagnose and resolve mechanical irregularities in hoist or winch systems by interpreting gauge anomalies and operational feedback during live operations.Multi-crew coordination — direct ground workers, signal personnel, and equipment operators simultaneously to execute complex or multi-stage lifts safely and efficiently.Depth and positioning judgment — use depth perception and near-vision monitoring to verify precise load placement in underground or overhead environments without secondary confirmation.Adaptive machine operation — adjust operating technique across varying load types, environmental conditions, and equipment configurations to maintain throughput and safety on unfamiliar sites.Incident response — apply critical thinking and rapid judgment to halt operations, assess risk, and implement corrective action when unexpected hazards or equipment failures arise.Documentation and reporting — record operational data, incident notes, and equipment status using word processing or spreadsheet software to maintain accurate site records.
advanced
Operational standards leadership — establish and enforce hoist and winch operating procedures, safety protocols, and performance benchmarks across a department or multi-site operation.Workforce training development — design and deliver structured on-the-job training programs for emerging and developing operators, calibrating instruction to individual skill gaps on active job sites.Cross-functional coordination — serve as the primary liaison between hoist operations, site management, rigging crews, and safety officers to align complex lift plans with project objectives.Risk governance — lead pre-lift planning reviews and hazard assessments for high-consequence or critical lifts, applying advanced judgment to approve or halt operations based on site conditions.Equipment fleet management — oversee maintenance scheduling, capability assessment, and replacement planning for hoists, winches, and associated rigging equipment across an organization.Performance monitoring systems — develop and manage gauge-reading, load-tracking, and operational reporting frameworks using spreadsheet tools to drive data-informed decision-making site-wide.Mentorship and competency evaluation — assess operator proficiency at all levels, provide structured feedback, and certify readiness for independent or advanced task assignments.Regulatory and compliance leadership — interpret and apply OSHA, MSHA, and industry-specific hoisting regulations to ensure organizational compliance and lead audit readiness across all crews.Incident investigation and correction — lead root-cause analysis of near-misses or equipment failures, produce findings reports, and implement systemic corrective actions to prevent recurrence.Strategic resource allocation — plan crew assignments, equipment deployment, and shift scheduling across large-scale projects to optimize operational efficiency and minimize downtime.
Also known as
91 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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