Will hoist operators be replaced by AI?
Updated
Hoist operators score 13 of 100 for AI exposure. 81% of their task time still needs a person. AI speeds up the other 19%.
- 19% AI helps
- 81% Needs a person
Low exposure
Lower than 92% of the 923 occupations we scored.
Task by task
We graded 13 tasks, listed here from most to least exposed. AI can't do any of them end to end yet. It speeds up 2 and leaves 11 to people.
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Select loads or materials according to weight and size specifications. Load weight and size checks against manifests could be software-assisted. | 30% AI helps |
| Observe equipment gauges and indicators and hand signals of other workers to verify load positions or depths. Sensor and gauge readings could be monitored or logged by software. | 22% AI helps |
| 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. Physical lever and pedal control of drum speed. | 10% Needs a person |
| Signal and assist other workers loading or unloading materials. In-person signaling and assisting crew during loading. | 10% Needs a person |
| Start engines of hoists or winches and use levers and pedals to wind or unwind cable on drums. Starting engines and operating winch controls physically. | 8% Needs a person |
| Operate compressed air, diesel, electric, gasoline, or steam-driven hoists or winches to control movement of cableways, cages, derricks, draglines, loaders, railcars, or skips. Hands-on operation of heavy hoisting equipment. | 8% Needs a person |
| Repair, maintain, and adjust equipment, using hand tools. Hands-on repair and adjustment with hand tools. | 8% Needs a person |
| Move or reposition hoists, winches, loads and materials, manually or using equipment and machines such as trucks, cars, and hand trucks. Physically moving hoists, loads, and trucks on site. | 5% Needs a person |
| Apply hand or foot brakes and move levers to lock hoists or winches. Physically applying brakes and locking hoist levers. | 5% Needs a person |
| Tend auxiliary equipment, such as jacks, slings, cables, or stop blocks, to facilitate moving items or materials for further processing. Physically tending slings, jacks, cables, and stop blocks. | 5% Needs a person |
Show the other 3 tasks
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Attach, fasten, and disconnect cables or lines to loads, materials, and equipment, using hand tools. Hand tool rigging of cables to loads on site. | 4% Needs a person |
| Oil winch drums so that cables will wind smoothly. Physical oiling of winch drums. | 3% Needs a person |
| Climb ladders to position and set up vehicle-mounted derricks. Climbing ladders to set up vehicle-mounted derricks. | 2% Needs a person |
How hoist operators compare
All occupations (923)
Transportation and material moving (52)
Pay and outlook in the US
- Median pay
- $56,450 a year, May 2025
- People employed
- 2,600 in the US, May 2025
- Projected change in jobs
- +0.2% from 2024 to 2034
Skills to build
- Log load weights and sling ratings in Microsoft Excel
- Write lift plans and shift logs in Microsoft Word
- Signal crews manually during loading and unloading
- Hand-rig cables and slings to loads on site
- Hold NCCCO Signalperson certification for crane work
- Check gauges and cable marks for drum position by sight
Safer roles nearby
5 related occupations with lower scores.
Questions about hoist operators and AI
Will AI replace hoist operators?
Partly. About 1 in 10 working hours go to tasks AI can already do, mostly checking load weights against manifests and logging gauge readings. Operating drum controls, signaling crews, and rigging cables stay with people because they need a person physically on site.
Which hoist operator tasks can AI take over?
Selecting loads by weight and size scores 30 on exposure, the highest in this job, since manifests and load specifications can be checked by software. Monitoring gauges and indicators scores 22, since sensor readings can be logged automatically in Microsoft Excel.
Which tasks stay with hoist operators?
Moving levers, pedals, and throttles to control drum speed scores 10 on exposure, so that control stays in human hands. Signaling crews during loading also scores 10, and hand rigging of cables to loads scores 4, since each needs a person on the load.
How can hoist operators stay valuable?
Get NCCCO Signalperson certification and keep hands on drum controls, rigging, and signaling. Log load weights and gauge readings in Microsoft Excel, then write shift reports in Microsoft Word so supervisors can check every lift. Those steps keep the physical work and the records in your hands.
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