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Telecommunications
Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile
Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers
These workers install, replace, test, and repair the antennas, cables, and electronics that keep radio, cell, and tower systems on the air. The work is hands-on and often takes place on rooftops or tall towers, so the job blends technical troubleshooting with strict safety rules and physical risk. The main tradeoff is good mid-range pay without a long degree path, but with weather exposure, climbing, and a lot of on-site work that cannot be done remotely.
Also known as Tower TechnicianCell Site TechnicianTelecommunications TechnicianWireless TechnicianAntenna Technician
Median Salary
$64,190
Mean $69,180
U.S. Workforce
~11K
1.2K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+8.6%
11.7K to 12.7K
Entry Education
Associate's degree
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers sits in the Trades category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~11K workers, with a median annual pay of $64,190 and roughly 1.2K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 11.7 K in 2024 to 12.7K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with High School Diploma, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Tower Helper / Apprentice and can progress toward Crew Supervisor / Field Operations Lead. High-value skills usually include Repairing Antennas, Radios & Tower Electronics, Equipment Maintenance & Preventive Service, and RF Cable Installation, Connectors & Grounding, paired with soft skills such as Attention to detail, Clear communication, and Critical thinking.
Core Responsibilities
- Read work orders, blueprints, and site drawings to figure out exactly what needs to be installed or repaired.
- Run power, grounding, and coaxial cables, then mount antennas and related hardware on towers or rooftops.
- Use testing gear and software to check whether the transmission equipment is working correctly.
- Adjust antenna direction and tilt so the signal points where it is supposed to.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Read work orders, blueprints, and site drawings to figure out exactly what needs to be installed or repaired.
02 Run power, grounding, and coaxial cables, then mount antennas and related hardware on towers or rooftops.
03 Use testing gear and software to check whether the transmission equipment is working correctly.
04 Adjust antenna direction and tilt so the signal points where it is supposed to.
05 Inspect finished work to make sure bolts, supports, and weatherproofing are secure.
06 Write up job progress and status reports and keep supervisors updated on the work.
Industries That Hire
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Tower Infrastructure
American Tower, Crown Castle, SBA Communications
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Broadcast Media
Nexstar Media Group, Sinclair Broadcast Group, Gray Television
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Specialty Contractors
MasTec, Dycom Industries, Quanta Services
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Public Safety Communications
Motorola Solutions, L3Harris Technologies, CommScope
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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The pay is solid for a field trade, with a median annual wage of $64,190 and a mean of $69,180.
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You do not need prior work experience to enter, and BLS lists moderate-term on-the-job training instead of a long apprenticeship.
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Demand is expected to rise 8.6% by 2034, adding about 1,000 jobs from 11.7K to 12.7K.
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There are about 1.2K annual openings, so people who can work safely and reliably should keep finding opportunities.
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The work is varied and concrete: one day you may install new gear, and the next you may test, align, or repair a system.
Challenges
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This is a physically demanding job with real hazards: climbing, falls, bad weather, and exposure to energized radio-frequency equipment.
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The work is almost always on-site, so remote work is rare and your schedule can be driven by tower access, weather, and travel.
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Pay is decent, but the $64,190 median is not especially high for a job that carries this much risk and physical strain.
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The career ceiling can be limited unless you move into supervision, project management, or highly specialized troubleshooting.
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Hiring can swing with carrier spending and infrastructure budgets, so the work is more exposed to industry slowdowns than some office-based technical jobs.
Career Progression
Tower Helper / Apprentice
0-2 years
$38K-$48K
Learns site safety, basic cable runs, tool handling, and how crews work around towers and rooftops.
Telecommunications Equipment Installer
2-4 years
$49K-$58K
Installs antennas, cables, mounts, and related hardware with limited supervision and starts doing basic testing.
Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installer and Repairer THIS ROLE
4-8 years
$61K-$72K
Handles full installs, troubleshooting, repairs, and final checks on transmission equipment; the median salary of $64,190 fits here.
Senior Field Technician / Lead
8-12 years
$73K-$85K
Leads more complex tower jobs, solves difficult signal or equipment problems, and helps train newer technicians.
Crew Supervisor / Field Operations Lead
12+ years
$86K-$102K
Manages crews, schedules projects, enforces safety practices, and coordinates work with clients and site owners.
Education Paths
High School Diploma
The most common path in the O*NET data, held by 30.71% of workers; many people enter the field with a diploma and learn the rest through employer training.
Post-Secondary Certificate
A practical route for 21.68% of workers, often through electronics, wireless, or tower-maintenance programs that focus on wiring, testing, and safety.
Associate's Degree
BLS says this is the typical entry point, and 15.67% of workers report it; community-college programs in electronics or telecommunications can make hiring easier.
Safety Training and Industry Certifications
Non-degree credentials such as OSHA safety training, RF awareness, and manufacturer-specific equipment courses can help you break in if you already have field or climbing experience.
Key Skills
Technical
Repairing Antennas, Radios & Tower Electronics 70%
Equipment Maintenance & Preventive Service 68%
RF Cable Installation, Connectors & Grounding 68%
Sweep Testing Software, PIM Testers & Signal Analyzers 65%
Blueprint Reading & Site Drawings 65%
System Monitoring & Site Checks 62%
Tower Climbing Safety, Fall Protection & Rescue Gear 62%
Soft Skills
Attention to detailClear communicationCritical thinkingActive listeningTeam coordinationSafety awareness Job Outlook and Trends
+8.6%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
1.2K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 11.7K to 12.7 K over the next decade, representing 8.6% growth. Around 1.2 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.