Tower operator vs tow truck driver

The differences between tower operators and tow truck drivers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a tower operator, becoming a tow truck driver takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a tower operator has an average salary of $38,634, which is higher than the $38,555 average annual salary of a tow truck driver.

The top three skills for a tower operator include motor vehicle, tow truck and tire changes. The most important skills for a tow truck driver are transport vehicles, CDL, and customer service.

Tower operator vs tow truck driver overview

	Tower Operator	Tow Truck Driver
Yearly salary	$38,634	$38,555
Hourly rate	$18.57	$18.54
Growth rate	7%	4%
Number of jobs	30,992	666,918
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 49%	High School Diploma, 57%
Average age	47	48
Years of experience	4	2

Tower operator vs tow truck driver salary

Tower operators and tow truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Tower Operator	Tow Truck Driver
Average salary	$38,634	$38,555
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $58,000	Between $29,000 And $50,000
Highest paying City	Redwood City, CA	Auburn, WA
Highest paying state	Washington	Washington
Best paying company	Reckitt Benckiser	City of Detroit
Best paying industry	Transportation	Transportation

Differences between tower operator and tow truck driver education

There are a few differences between a tower operator and a tow truck driver in terms of educational background:

	Tower Operator	Tow Truck Driver
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 49%	High School Diploma, 57%
Most common major	Business	Automotive Technology
Most common college	-	-

Tower operator vs tow truck driver demographics

Here are the differences between tower operators' and tow truck drivers' demographics:

	Tower Operator	Tow Truck Driver
Average age	47	48
Gender ratio	Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4%	Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4%
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, 11.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 3.9% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	2%	4%

Differences between tower operator and tow truck driver 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.

Tow truck driver example responsibilities.

Manage and expedite the secure transportation and accountability of logistic materials and HAZMAT chemicals to commercial, state and government facilities.
Operate tow truck and equipment (dollies, go jacks).
Drive rollback tow truck, load and unload cars, secure cars on truck bed, operate hydraulic, maintain truck
Right eye injury and ineligibility for CDL )
Job require current CDL with clean driving record.
Maintain contracts with several companies as well as CHP work.

Tower operator vs tow truck driver skills

Common tower operator skills

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

Common tow truck driver skills

Transport Vehicles, 22%
CDL, 17%
Customer Service, 14%
Loaders, 10%
AAA, 8%
Fuel Delivery, 5%

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Transportation Industry
Tower Operator
Tower Operator vs Tow Truck Driver

Updated January 8, 2025

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