Where a tower crane operator can go next
5 destinations recorded, ranked by how much of the target role a tower crane operator already meets. The closer to the top of Table 1, the less there is to learn.
Tower crane operators work with tower cranes, tall balance cranes consisting of a horizontal jib mounted on a vertical mast, along with the necessary motors and lifting hook attached to the jib. Operators control the crane from within a control cabin, or use radio control.
Also known as tower crane operative, tower-crane operator, tower crane driver.
Plant and machine operators and assemblers 27 skills on file 5 career moves 4 above 60% overlap Closest: mobile crane operator, 69%
- 70% and above · short step
- 50 to 70% · real move
- Below 50% · substantial retraining
Table 2 · What the job itself asks for
A tower crane operator needs 15 required skills and areas of knowledge. These 10 are the ones fewest other jobs share, so they say the most about the work.
- operate tower crane working with machinery and specialised equipment
- crane load charts services
- secure heavy construction equipment working with machinery and specialised equipment
- keep heavy construction equipment in good condition constructing
- inspect construction sites information skills
- mechanical systems engineering, manufacturing and construction
- react to events in time-critical environments communication, collaboration and creativity
- mechanical tools engineering, manufacturing and construction
- interpret 2D plans information skills
- interpret 3D plans information skills
Table 3 · Jobs that lead here
The reverse view: occupations whose skills already cover much of what a tower crane operator does. The figure is how much of this job each one brings.
- grader operator 77% covered · difficulty 23.8
- pile driving hammer operator 74% covered · difficulty 26.7
- bulldozer operator 72% covered · difficulty 29.3
- sewer construction worker 67% covered · difficulty 34
- demolition worker 60% covered · difficulty 40.8
- concrete pump operator 56% covered · difficulty 43.4
- construction scaffolder 51% covered · difficulty 48.5
- structural ironworker 47% covered · difficulty 51.2
- sheet metal worker 44% covered · difficulty 54.3
- road sign installer 40% covered · difficulty 57.2
Look up another occupation
Tower crane operator is filed under Plant and machine operators and assemblers, ISCO major group 8. The full index lists all ten groups.
How these figures were compiled
Overlap is how much of the target role is already part of a tower crane operator’s work. It is directional: the figure for the reverse move differs. Every entry above opens the full comparison for that move: what carries over, what is missing, and where to start. The full method.