Mobile crane operator vs tower crane operator

The differences between mobile crane operators and tower crane operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a mobile crane operator and a tower crane operator. Additionally, a tower crane operator has an average salary of $44,595, which is higher than the $42,053 average annual salary of a mobile crane operator.

The top three skills for a mobile crane operator include CDL, cranes and safety procedures. The most important skills for a tower crane operator are cranes, hoisting, and hand signals.

Mobile crane operator vs tower crane operator overview

	Mobile Crane Operator	Tower Crane Operator
Yearly salary	$42,053	$44,595
Hourly rate	$20.22	$21.44
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	35,626	30,816
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 33%	High School Diploma, 47%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	4	4

Mobile crane operator vs tower crane operator salary

Mobile crane operators and tower crane operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Mobile Crane Operator	Tower Crane Operator
Average salary	$42,053	$44,595
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $67,000	Between $26,000 And $73,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between mobile crane operator and tower crane operator education

There are a few differences between a mobile crane operator and a tower crane operator in terms of educational background:

	Mobile Crane Operator	Tower Crane Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 33%	High School Diploma, 47%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Mobile crane operator vs tower crane operator demographics

Here are the differences between mobile crane operators' and tower crane operators' demographics:

	Mobile Crane Operator	Tower Crane Operator
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 85.9% Female, 14.1%	Male, 99.3% Female, 0.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 0.7% White, 64.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%	Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 19.8% Asian, 0.7% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between mobile crane operator and tower crane operator duties and responsibilities

Mobile crane operator example responsibilities.

Place blocks and outriggers to prevent capsizing when lifting heavy loads.
Weld, torch cut, operate rigging (roughneck), and run mobile crane.
Experience crane repair, troubleshooting, rebuilding.Now expire NCCCO certification on large lattice, crawler, and large hydro.
Provide safe and efficient transportation for disable Marta customers.
Coordinate all safety efforts with management to meet or exceed requirements of client specifications and OSHA regulations.
Operate, maintain, and inspect the company mobile crane and all of its rigging before and after every use.

Tower crane operator example responsibilities.

Train and supervise other employees to achieve significant improvements in their crane operating productivity.
Inspect mechanisms such as cables, pulleys, grappling devices, and lifting accessories in order to prevent malfunctions and damage.
Coordinate all safety efforts with management to meet or exceed requirements of client specifications and OSHA regulations.
Set aluminum panels to pour concrete foundation.

Mobile crane operator vs tower crane operator skills

Common mobile crane operator skills

CDL, 21%
Cranes, 17%
Safety Procedures, 11%
General Supervision, 10%
DOT, 10%
Mobile Cranes, 8%

Common tower crane operator skills

Cranes, 55%
Hoisting, 25%
Hand Signals, 8%
Pulleys, 4%
Construction Materials, 4%
Building Materials, 3%

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Transportation Industry
Mobile Crane Operator
Mobile Crane Operator vs Tower Crane Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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