Individuals must have a current orpreviousControl Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) Certificate and a current Class II Medical Certificate. * Individuals must have held a Control Tower Operator ...
Individuals must have a current orpreviousControl Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) Certificate and a current Class II Medical Certificate. * Individuals must have held a Control Tower Operator ...
Individuals must have a current orpreviousControl Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) Certificate and a current Class II Medical Certificate. * Individuals must have held a Control Tower Operator ...
Individuals must have a current orpreviousControl Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) Certificate and a current Class II Medical Certificate. * Individuals must have held a Control Tower Operator ...
Tower Operator - Plant 2/4
Hilmar, CA · On-site
A Typical Day The primary responsibilities of the Tower Operator are to run and maintain Cheese towers and related equipment. Job Responsibilities * To ensure the correct operation and follow all ...
Tower Operator - Plant 2/4
Hilmar, CA · On-site
A Typical Day The primary responsibilities of the Tower Operator are to run and maintain Cheese towers and related equipment. Job Responsibilities * To ensure the correct operation and follow all ...
Conditioning Operator
Olivia, MN · On-site
Conditioning Tower Operator Do you like working with your hands, staying busy, and being part of a team that keeps things running smoothly? We're looking for a Conditioning Tower Operator to join our ...
Conditioning Operator
Olivia, MN · On-site
Conditioning Tower Operator Do you like working with your hands, staying busy, and being part of a team that keeps things running smoothly? We're looking for a Conditioning Tower Operator to join our ...
Individuals must have a current orpreviousControl Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) Certificate and a current Class II Medical Certificate. * Individuals must have held a Control Tower Operator ...
Individuals must have a current orpreviousControl Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) Certificate and a current Class II Medical Certificate. * Individuals must have held a Control Tower Operator ...
Individuals must have a current orpreviousControl Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) Certificate and a current Class II Medical Certificate. * Individuals must have held a Control Tower Operator ...
Individuals must have a current orpreviousControl Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) Certificate and a current Class II Medical Certificate. * Individuals must have held a Control Tower Operator ...
Conditioning Operator
Olivia, MN · On-site
Conditioning Tower Operator Do you like working with your hands, staying busy, and being part of a team that keeps things running smoothly? We're looking for a Conditioning Tower Operator to join our ...
Conditioning Operator
Olivia, MN · On-site
Conditioning Tower Operator Do you like working with your hands, staying busy, and being part of a team that keeps things running smoothly? We're looking for a Conditioning Tower Operator to join our ...
3rd Shift Machine Operator - Tower Operator
$18 - $21.50/hr
We are seeking a Machine Operator on the third shift to use our Tower/Respooling/Extruder machine 3rd Shift work week starts on Monday- Friday hours are 11:30PM - 8:00AM MUST BE ABLE TO WORK THESE ...
3rd Shift Machine Operator - Tower Operator
$18 - $21.50/hr
We are seeking a Machine Operator on the third shift to use our Tower/Respooling/Extruder machine 3rd Shift work week starts on Monday- Friday hours are 11:30PM - 8:00AM MUST BE ABLE TO WORK THESE ...
Individuals must have held a Control Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) with a facility rating for a minimum of two years in an Air Traffic Control Tower. * The position is subject to drug and/or ...
Individuals must have held a Control Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) with a facility rating for a minimum of two years in an Air Traffic Control Tower. * The position is subject to drug and/or ...
Individuals must have held a Control Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) with a facility rating for a minimum of two years in an Air Traffic Control Tower. * The position is subject to drug and/or ...
Individuals must have held a Control Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) with a facility rating for a minimum of two years in an Air Traffic Control Tower. * The position is subject to drug and/or ...
Individuals must have a current orpreviousControl Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) Certificate and a current Class II Medical Certificate. * Individuals must have held a Control Tower Operator ...
Individuals must have a current orpreviousControl Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) Certificate and a current Class II Medical Certificate. * Individuals must have held a Control Tower Operator ...
Individuals must have held a Control Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) with a facility rating for a minimum of two years in an Air Traffic Control Tower. * The position is subject to drug and/or ...
Quick apply
Individuals must have held a Control Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) with a facility rating for a minimum of two years in an Air Traffic Control Tower. * The position is subject to drug and/or ...
Individuals must have held a Control Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) with a facility rating for a minimum of two years in an Air Traffic Control Tower. * The position is subject to drug and/or ...
Individuals must have held a Control Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) with a facility rating for a minimum of two years in an Air Traffic Control Tower. * The position is subject to drug and/or ...
Individuals must have held a Control Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) with a facility rating for a minimum of two years in an Air Traffic Control Tower. * The position is subject to drug and/or ...
Individuals must have held a Control Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) with a facility rating for a minimum of two years in an Air Traffic Control Tower. * The position is subject to drug and/or ...
Individuals must have held a Control Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) with a facility rating for a minimum of two years in an Air Traffic Control Tower. * The position is subject to drug and/or ...
Individuals must have held a Control Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) with a facility rating for a minimum of two years in an Air Traffic Control Tower. * The position is subject to drug and/or ...
Individuals must have held a Control Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) with a facility rating for a minimum of two years in an Air Traffic Control Tower. * The position is subject to drug and/or ...
Individuals must have held a Control Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) with a facility rating for a minimum of two years in an Air Traffic Control Tower. * The position is subject to drug and/or ...
Individuals must have held a Control Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) with a facility rating for a minimum of two years in an Air Traffic Control Tower. * The position is subject to drug and/or ...
Individuals must have held a Control Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) with a facility rating for a minimum of two years in an Air Traffic Control Tower. * The position is subject to drug and/or ...
Individuals must have held a Control Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) with a facility rating for a minimum of two years in an Air Traffic Control Tower. * The position is subject to drug and/or ...
Individuals must have held a Control Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) with a facility rating for a minimum of two years in an Air Traffic Control Tower. * The position is subject to drug and/or ...
Function as a sole tower operator with all Air Traffic Control performance requirements. Perform all basic weather watch functions during assigned shifts. Operate Tower positions of Local Control ...
Function as a sole tower operator with all Air Traffic Control performance requirements. Perform all basic weather watch functions during assigned shifts. Operate Tower positions of Local Control ...
Function as a sole tower operator with all Air Traffic Control performance requirements. Perform all basic weather watch functions during assigned shifts. Operate Tower positions of Local Control ...
Function as a sole tower operator with all Air Traffic Control performance requirements. Perform all basic weather watch functions during assigned shifts. Operate Tower positions of Local Control ...
Tower Operator information
See salary details
$14.42 - $15.49
5% of jobs
$15.49 - $16.56
5% of jobs
$16.56 - $17.64
12% of jobs
$18.04 is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$17.64 - $18.71
6% of jobs
$18.71 - $19.78
2% of jobs
$19.78 - $20.85
6% of jobs
The median wage is $21.87 / hr.
$20.85 - $21.92
13% of jobs
$21.92 - $22.99
10% of jobs
$22.99 - $24.06
10% of jobs
$24.48 is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$24.06 - $25.13
13% of jobs
$25.13 - $26.20
17% of jobs
$14
$21
$26
How much do tower operator jobs pay per hour?
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Tower Operator, and why are they important?
What are some common challenges Tower Operators face during their shifts, and how can they best prepare for them?
What Is a Tower Operator?
A tower operator controls a tower crane and similar equipment for a construction project. It’s their job to safely operate the tower crane and cable lift to move materials as directed. Other job duties involve inspecting the crane, preparing maintenance reports, and adhering to all safety protocol. This career requires an associate’s degree in heavy equipment operation. Some employers prefer additional work experience through an apprenticeship program. Other important qualifications include strong mechanical skills, hand-eye coordination, and the ability to work in all weather conditions.
What is the difference between Tower Operator vs Substation Operator?
| Aspect | Tower Operator | Substation Operator |
|---|---|---|
| Credentials | Typically requires a high school diploma and safety certifications | Requires similar certifications, often including electrical or technical training |
| Work Environment | Outdoor, on communication or transmission towers | Indoor/outdoor, within electrical substations |
| Industry Usage | Telecommunications, power transmission | Power utilities, electrical distribution |
| Job Focus | Maintaining communication or transmission equipment on towers | Monitoring and maintaining substation equipment |
Both Tower Operators and Substation Operators work in the energy and communications sectors, requiring safety certifications and technical knowledge. Tower Operators focus on outdoor tower maintenance, while Substation Operators work within electrical substations. Understanding these differences helps job seekers identify the right career path in the utility and telecom industries.
What does a Tower Operator do?

Full-time
Posted 15 days ago
Key responsibilities
Control the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic at a Visual Flight Rules Airport Traffic Control Tower.
Monitor and manage arrivals, departures, runway usage, and aircraft sequencing to ensure standard separation and minimal delays.
Provide pilots with weather information, field conditions, and operational advisories, and coordinate with other controllers and relevant airport services as necessary.
Job description
SUMMARY:
Responsible for the safe, orderly, andexpeditiousflow of air traffic control duties inaVisualFlight Rules (VFR) Airport Traffic Control Tower.
DIMENSIONS OF POSITION:
Works under the general supervision of the tower manager who relies on the incumbent to perform established duties independently. On new or revised procedures, the manager gives detailed instructions andobservesand checks work, during orimmediatelyafter completion, according to the complexity of the task until satisfied the incumbent can perform it independently.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Must have a minimum of (2) years of experience as an Air Traffic Controller.
- Individuals must have a current orpreviousControl Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) Certificate and a current Class II Medical Certificate.
- Individuals must have held a Control Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) with a facility rating for a minimum of two years in an Air Traffic Control Tower.
- The position is subject to drug and/or alcohol testing per the DOT/FAA requirements (pre-employment, random, reasonable cause/suspicion, post-accident).
ACCOUNTABILITY:
Makingdecisions involving:
- The order of departures willensureallaircraftequitabletreatment and willensurethatdepartingInstrument Flight Rules(IFR)flightsoperateat thefixedaltitude, andthe timedesignatedby the center or approach control clearances.
- The times and direction of takeoff and any turn necessary after departure.
- Whether inboundaircraftis to landimmediatelyor circle and whether distances are lengthened to control the arrival ofan aircraftat a given point.
- The active runway and possible simultaneous use of other runways.
- The time and methods by which arrivals and departures can be interspersed with the least delay to traffic.
- When landing anddeparting,aircraftare cleared to use the runways toensurestandard separation betweenaircrafton the runways.
- The sequence of arriving traffic, before it enters the traffic pattern, toensurea safe, orderly flow ofaircrafton the final approach to the landing runway.
- Endure thatInstrument Flight Rules (IFR)separation standards are applied, as delegated by approach control or the center, in limited areas around the airport to provide initial separation between IFR arrivals and IFR departures and between successive IFR departures.
- The sequence ofVisual Flight Rules (VFR)andInstrument Flight Rules (IFR)traffic, and when delegated, using radar equipment to provide initial separation for arrival verse arrival and arrival verse departure IFR traffic.
- WhenVisual Flight Rules (VFR)flights through the ClassD airspacecan be authorized.
Determinesthe usability of communications frequencies and other navigational aids used to control air traffic. Monitors navigational aids and control panels, including tower radar display todeterminethe acceptability of its alignment and display presentation. Instructs pilots to change radio frequencies/transponder codes.
- Whenappropriate, coordinate with other controllers on the movement of both arrival and departureaircraft.
- When traffic conditionswarrant, controllers in non-approach terminalsare responsible for:
- Preplanning traffic sequencing and separation over an area, which may reach out to a radius of 5 miles or more.
- Preplanning and setting up checkpointsrequiredto ensure the maintenance of necessary traffic separation.
- Maintaining a continuous mental picture and evaluation of constantly changing traffic, frequency dispersed throughout his/her area of jurisdictional responsibility.
- Maintaining continuous radio watch withaircraftthat have previously contacted the facility.
MANAGINGInstrument Flight Rules (IFR)TRAFFIC FOR AIRPORT:
- Studies weather reports and forecasts, obtain LAWRS/SAWRS weather certification, observes weather from the tower, and records pilot reports to determine the effect of present and anticipated weather on traffic; furnishes aircraft with information such as field conditions, altimeter settings, weather conditions, operating status of navigational aids, and observed malfunctioning of aircraft; forwards to the weather bureau, AFSS, and the appropriate center/approach control, pilot weather reports and reports based upon personal observation of weather conditions; operate light guns, runway lights, field lighting, jet barriers, etc.
- Orients pilots ofaircraftlost or in difficulty;determineswhether a given situation may develop into an emergency; and notifies airlines operations offices, airport management offices, and airport rescue and firefighting services.
- Performs lower grade level duties as necessary to meet operational requirementsandproficiencymaintenance.
- ProvidesOn-the-job (OJT)training to others.