Tower operator vs hot metal crane operator

The differences between tower operators and hot metal 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 tower operator and a hot metal crane operator. Additionally, a hot metal crane operator has an average salary of $61,860, which is higher than the $38,634 average annual salary of a tower operator.

The top three skills for a tower operator include motor vehicle, tow truck and tire changes. The most important skills for a hot metal crane operator are cranes, safety procedures, and .

Tower operator vs hot metal crane operator overview

	Tower Operator	Hot Metal Crane Operator
Yearly salary	$38,634	$61,860
Hourly rate	$18.57	$29.74
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	30,992	28,906
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 49%	High School Diploma, 79%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	4	4

Tower operator vs hot metal crane operator salary

Tower operators and hot metal crane operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Tower Operator	Hot Metal Crane Operator
Average salary	$38,634	$61,860
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $58,000	Between $33,000 And $115,000
Highest paying City	Redwood City, CA	-
Highest paying state	Washington	-
Best paying company	Reckitt Benckiser	-
Best paying industry	Transportation	-

Differences between tower operator and hot metal crane operator education

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

	Tower Operator	Hot Metal Crane Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 49%	High School Diploma, 79%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Tower operator vs hot metal crane operator demographics

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

	Tower Operator	Hot Metal Crane Operator
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4%	Male, 91.5% Female, 8.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 19.8% Asian, 0.7% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%	Black or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 13.8% Asian, 0.7% White, 73.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between tower operator and hot metal crane operator duties and responsibilities

Tower operator example responsibilities.

Coordinate face to face with all outside agencies that are require to support the training for all logistics matters.
Direct inbound or outbound logistics operations, such as transportation or warehouse activities, safety performance, or logistics quality management.
Supervise the accountability of all MSOT equipment, totaling millions of dollars' worth of equipment.
Work closely with IAD ATCT and airlines to coordinate safe and efficient gate and non-movement area transitions.

Hot metal crane operator example responsibilities.

Wear a variety of PPE to be safe on the job including steel toe shoes.
Charge AOD vessel with molten steel, continuous cast and bottom teeming.
Work directly with the EAF operator to safely and efficiently charge the EAF and change electrodes.
Coordinate all safety efforts with management to meet or exceed requirements of client specifications and OSHA regulations.
Involve in the training of new employees on crane operation and also working in and around the electric arc furnaces.
Operate 70-ton overhead crane in lifting/transporting coils of aluminum for production processing.

Tower operator vs hot metal crane operator skills

Common tower operator skills

Motor Vehicle, 33%
Tow Truck, 13%
Tire Changes, 6%
CIP, 5%
DOT, 5%
Roadside Assistance, 4%

Common hot metal crane operator skills

Cranes, 62%
Safety Procedures, 38%

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Transportation Industry
Tower Operator
Tower Operator vs Hot Metal Crane Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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