Hoist and Winch Operators: 2,600 jobs, median pay $56,450 · where the jobs are in the U.S.

2,600

Jobs in the U.S.

People employed, May 2025

$56,450

Median pay a year

Middle half: $42,690–$94,350

300

Annual openings

10-year change: +0.2%

No formal educational credential

Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

7 of 7 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings

Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $118,210 · LCA filings 0300$118,2100

Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $74,840 · LCA filings 0160$74,8400

Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDMedian pay $99,840 · LCA filings 0130$99,8400

Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $46,310 · LCA filings 060$46,3100

Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIMedian pay $78,400 · LCA filings 060$78,4000

Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $47,810 · LCA filings 040$47,8100

Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIMedian pay $35,410 · LCA filings 030$35,4100

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings

Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INEmployment 300 · LCA filings 0$118,2103000

Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDEmployment 130 · LCA filings 0$99,8401300

Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIEmployment 60 · LCA filings 0$78,400600

Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 160 · LCA filings 0$74,8401600

Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$47,810400

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV

Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $115,232 · Level III $116,792 · Level IV $118,331$113,693$115,232$116,792$118,331

Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $69,805 · Level III $87,277 · Level IV $104,728$52,354$69,805$87,277$104,728

Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDLevel II $86,736 · Level III $92,934 · Level IV $99,133$80,538$86,736$92,934$99,133

Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $40,186 · Level III $44,699 · Level IV $49,192$35,693$40,186$44,699$49,192

Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WILevel II $65,562 · Level III $71,594 · Level IV $77,646$59,509$65,562$71,594$77,646

Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $42,598 · Level III $48,048 · Level IV $53,498$37,149$42,598$48,048$53,498

Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MILevel II $35,901 · Level III $38,480 · Level IV $41,038$33,342$35,901$38,480$41,038

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

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Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology