How much does a hoist and winch operator make?
The median hoist and winch operator in the United States earns $56,450 per year, about $27.14 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all hoist and winch operators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 53-7041.
Hoist and winch operator salary range
Pay for hoist and winch operators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $35,640 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $118,210. The average (mean) wage of $67,710 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,640 | $17.13 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $42,690 | $20.53 | |
| Median (50th) | $56,450 | $27.14 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $94,350 | $45.36 | |
| 90th percentile | $118,210 | $56.83 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for hoist and winch operators (SOC 53-7041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Hoist and winch operator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Hoist and winch operators earn the most in Illinois at $118,210 a year, and the least in Florida at $33,570. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $118,210 | 320 |
| Hawaii | $107,100 | 120 |
| Maryland | $99,840 | 140 |
| Minnesota | $78,400 | 60 |
| New York | $74,980 | 110 |
| Massachusetts | $62,240 | N/A |
| Oregon | $55,880 | 70 |
| Missouri | $47,510 | 40 |
| Ohio | $43,000 | N/A |
| Michigan | $40,070 | 50 |
| Tennessee | $39,930 | 40 |
| Indiana | $39,750 | 120 |
| Georgia | $37,870 | 90 |
| Virginia | $37,020 | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $36,560 | 80 |
| Florida | $33,570 | 120 |
State median wages for hoist and winch operators (SOC 53-7041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for hoist and winch operators
The BLS projects employment of hoist and winch operators to hold roughly steady from 2025 to 2035. That is little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 3,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 3,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 300 openings a year for hoist and winch operators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a hoist and winch operator
The typical entry-level education for hoist and winch operators is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a hoist and winch operator earns
Route type, employer, endorsements, and hours behind the wheel drive pay. Long-haul, specialized freight, and union employers tend to sit at the top of the range, while local and entry-level roles start lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Illinois, $118,210) and the lowest (Florida, $33,570) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 2,600 people work as hoist and winch operators in the United States. At $56,450 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Hoist and winch operator salary FAQ
How much does a hoist and winch operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a hoist and winch operator is $27.14. The middle half of hoist and winch operators earn between $20.53 and $45.36 per hour.
What is the highest hoist and winch operator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of hoist and winch operators earn more than $118,210 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a hoist and winch operator make a year?
The median annual salary for a hoist and winch operator is $56,450. The average (mean) wage of $67,710 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a hoist and winch operator a well paid job?
At $56,450 a year, a hoist and winch operator earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 2,600 people work as hoist and winch operators in the United States.
Which state pays hoist and winch operators the most?
Illinois has the highest median salary for hoist and winch operators at $118,210 a year. Hawaii ($107,100) and Maryland ($99,840) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a hoist and winch operator a good career?
Employment of hoist and winch operators is projected to hold roughly steady 0.2% from 2025 to 2035, little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a hoist and winch operator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for hoist and winch operators as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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