What does a tower operator do?
Tower operator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real tower operator resumes:
- 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.
Tower operator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 33% of Tower Operators are proficient in Motor Vehicle, Tow Truck, and Tire Changes. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Coordination, and Mechanical skills.
We break down the percentage of Tower Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Motor Vehicle, 33%
Drive tow-truck to move motor vehicles damaged by accident, stalled or ticketed by police for traffic violation
- Tow Truck, 13%
Tow Truck Operation-Automobile Repair and Maintenance
- Tire Changes, 6%
Perform towing, battery jumps, tire changes, lock-outs, car exchanges and other emergency road services.
- CIP, 5%
Monitor and maintaining all equipment during CIP (Cleaning in Place)automatic system for both lines.
- DOT, 5%
DOT medical certification to operate a commercial vehicle.
- Roadside Assistance, 4%
Provide emergency roadside assistance for law enforcement and insurance holders.
Most tower operators use their skills in "motor vehicle," "tow truck," and "tire changes" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential tower operator responsibilities here:
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a tower operator to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "material moving machine operators signal and direct workers to load and unload material." Additionally, a tower operator resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "operate 24' tow truck/equipment utilize on board computer/radio systems dispatcher communication"
Coordination. Many tower operator duties rely on coordination. "material moving machine operators must have steady hands and feet to guide and control heavy machinery precisely," so a tower operator will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways tower operator responsibilities rely on coordination: "facilitate multi-office coordination between north carolina tow truck operation, melbourne office, and off-site south florida underwriter as needed. "
Mechanical skills. This is an important skill for tower operators to perform their duties. For an example of how tower operator responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "material moving machine operators make minor adjustments to their machines and perform basic maintenance on them." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a tower operator: "checked vehicles to ensure that mechanical, safety, and emergency equipment is in good working order. ".
Visual ability. tower operator responsibilities often require "visual ability." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "material moving machine operators must be able to see clearly where they are driving or what they are moving." This resume example shows what tower operators do with visual ability on a typical day: "ensured safe, efficient flow of air traffic to military and civilian aircraft using visual flight rules/instrument flight rules. "
The three companies that hire the most tower operators are:
- AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah2 tower operators jobs
- GROWMARK2 tower operators jobs
- Caesars Entertainment1 tower operators jobs
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Compare different tower operators
Tower operator vs. Tow truck driver
Typically working upon the directives of dispatchers, a tow truck driver is in charge of driving to areas where a vehicle accident or breakdown took place, connecting the vehicle to the tow truck, and transporting them to repair stations or particular places. Their responsibilities include communicating with clients to identify their needs, answering inquiries, providing assistance by performing minor repairs, changing tires or jump-starting cars, and recommending solutions when necessary. Furthermore, as a tow truck driver, it is essential to perform regular maintenance checks on towing trucks for a safe and efficient service.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between tower operators and tow truck driver. For instance, tower operator responsibilities require skills such as "tow truck," "cip," "dot," and "roadside assistance." Whereas a tow truck driver is skilled in "cdl," "customer service," "loaders," and "aaa." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Tow truck drivers tend to make the most money working in the transportation industry, where they earn an average salary of $39,670. In contrast, tower operators make the biggest average salary, $39,036, in the transportation industry.tow truck drivers tend to reach similar levels of education than tower operators. In fact, tow truck drivers are 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Tower operator vs. Gantry crane operator
Each career also uses different skills, according to real tower operator resumes. While tower operator responsibilities can utilize skills like "motor vehicle," "tow truck," "tire changes," and "cip," gantry crane operators use skills like "gantry," "cranes," "ran," and "load trucks."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Gantry crane operators tend to reach similar levels of education than tower operators. In fact, they're 2.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Tower operator vs. Overhead crane operator
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a tower operator is likely to be skilled in "motor vehicle," "tow truck," "tire changes," and "cip," while a typical overhead crane operator is skilled in "cranes," "overhead cranes," "determines safety," and "steel coils."
Overhead crane operators earn the highest salary when working in the hospitality industry, where they receive an average salary of $38,436. Comparatively, tower operators have the highest earning potential in the transportation industry, with an average salary of $39,036.Most overhead crane operators achieve a similar degree level compared to tower operators. For example, they're 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Tower operator vs. Yard crane operator
Types of tower operator
Updated January 8, 2025
