Tower crane operator skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical tower crane operator skills. We ranked the top skills for tower crane operators based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 55.0% of tower crane operator resumes contained cranes as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a tower crane operator needs to be successful in the workplace.

7 tower crane operator skills for your resume and career

1. Cranes

Here's how tower crane operators use cranes:

Direct operation of Tower Crane for the transfer of materials from large international cargo ships to precise locations within the plant.
Project was at Primary Children's Hospital, building a parking structure, operating a tower crane.

2. Hoisting

Here's how tower crane operators use hoisting:

Calculated load ratings for daily hoisting operations.
Cleaned and maintained crane and hoisting mechanism.

3. Hand Signals

Hand signals are signs made using the hands to indicate or communicate certain instructions to anyone when audio communication won't be possible. Hand signals are used to flag down cabs, gesture at people from a distance, teach the deaf, and wave at someone. All these are in cases where voicing out the instructions won't be audible on the end of the receiver.

Here's how tower crane operators use hand signals:

work with hand signals.Ability to work extreme heights.
Attached loads to rigging to provide support and prepare them for moving using hand signals and power tools.

4. Pulleys

Pulleys are primarily designed to lift heavy items easier through a shaft, cable, and belt. It is also used to support the movement of different systems, facilitating the transport of people and things.

Here's how tower crane operators use pulleys:

Inspected mechanisms such as cables, pulleys, grappling devices, and lifting accessories in order to prevent malfunctions and damage.
Clean, lubricate, and maintain mechanisms such as cables, pulleys, or grappling devices.

5. Construction Materials

Construction materials are equipment and objects that are used to construct buildings. Naturally occurring elements like clay, wood, and sand also come under construction materials. Man-made construction materials include concrete, bricks, tiles, etc. Using good quality construction materials helps in reducing maintenance costs and reduces the chances of frequent maintenance. The properties of artificial and natural elements determine the quality of construction material.

Here's how tower crane operators use construction materials:

Load, unload and secure construction materials and equipment in compliance with federal, state and county regulations.

6. Building Materials

Building Materials are the raw materials used in construction projects, including concrete, rebar, steel, wood, and scaffolding. The construction projects can be rudimentary as well, and therefore twigs, leaves, and clay can also be classified as building materials. There are also classifications of building materials, such as binders that act as adhesives like cement and lime.

Here's how tower crane operators use building materials:

Set air handlers and cooling towers on top of structure Set all building materials for all trades
Boom crane operator my responsibilities were delivering building materials to residential and industrial locations.

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7. Load Weights

Here's how tower crane operators use load weights:

Determine load weights and check them against lifting capacities to prevent overload.
Determine load weights and check them against lifting capacities to prevent overload.

What skills help Tower Crane Operators find jobs?

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List of tower crane operator skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a tower crane operator resume and required skills for a tower crane operator to have include:

Cranes
Hoisting
Hand Signals

Pulleys
Construction Materials
Building Materials

Load Weights

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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