Tower operator vs port crane operator

The differences between tower operators and port 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 port crane operator. Additionally, a port crane operator has an average salary of $44,298, 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 port crane operator are CDL, , and .

Tower operator vs port crane operator overview

	Tower Operator	Port Crane Operator
Yearly salary	$38,634	$44,298
Hourly rate	$18.57	$21.30
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	30,992	32,651
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 49%	High School Diploma, 40%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	4	4

Tower operator vs port crane operator salary

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

	Tower Operator	Port Crane Operator
Average salary	$38,634	$44,298
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $58,000	Between $27,000 And $72,000
Highest paying City	Redwood City, CA	-
Highest paying state	Washington	-
Best paying company	Reckitt Benckiser	-
Best paying industry	Transportation	-

Differences between tower operator and port crane operator education

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

	Tower Operator	Port Crane Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 49%	High School Diploma, 40%
Most common major	Business	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

Tower operator vs port crane operator demographics

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

	Tower Operator	Port Crane Operator
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4%	Male, 75.0% Female, 25.0%
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, 10.5% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 0.7% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between tower operator and port 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.

Port crane operator example responsibilities.

Coordinate all safety efforts with management to meet or exceed requirements of client specifications and OSHA regulations.
Drive truck to location and offload buildings to designate site using an ABC crane.

Tower operator vs port crane operator skills

Common tower operator skills

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

Common port crane operator skills

CDL, 100%

Tower Operator vs. similar jobs

Tower Operator related careers

Tower Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Transportation Industry
Tower Operator
Tower Operator vs Port Crane Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse transportation jobs