Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers

Arts, Audio/Video Technology and CommunicationsO*NET 49-2021.00United States

Repair, install, or maintain mobile or stationary radio transmitting, broadcasting, and receiving equipment, and two-way radio communications systems used in cellular telecommunications, mobile broadband, ship-to-shore, aircraft-to-ground communications, and radio equipment in service and emergency vehicles. May test and analyze network coverage.

COMING SOON See related ASU learning

Median annual earnings: $63,046
Projected change: +8.5%
Typical education: High school diploma or less
Employment: 14.62K jobs

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Build the skills

ASU learning related to this career

These courses and certificates are connected through catalog career relationships and Lightcast skill tags.

The work

What radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairers do

Tasks reported for this occupation, ordered by how often they come up in the role.

Inspect completed work to ensure all hardware is tight, antennas are level, hangers are properly fastened, proper support is in place, or adequate weather proofing has been installed.
Run appropriate power, ground, or coaxial cables.
Test operation of tower transmission components, using sweep testing tools or software.
Install all necessary transmission equipment components, including antennas or antenna mounts, surge arrestors, transmission lines, connectors, or tower-mounted amplifiers (TMAs).
Read work orders, blueprints, plans, datasheets or site drawings to determine work to be done.
Replace existing antennas with new antennas as directed.
Bolt equipment into place, using hand or power tools.
Install, connect, or test underground or aboveground grounding systems.
Complete reports related to project status, progress, or other work details, using computer software.
Check antenna positioning to ensure specified azimuths or mechanical tilts and adjust as necessary.
Transport equipment to work sites, using utility trucks and equipment trailers.
Take site survey photos or photos of work performed, using digital cameras.

Pay and outlook

What the job pays and where it is heading

Annual earnings range

Reported earnings by percentile, United States

10th percentile: $43,386
25th percentile: $49,688
50th percentile: $63,046
75th percentile: $82,266
90th percentile: $105,255

The gold marker shows the median. Half earn more than $63,046 and half earn less.

Employment outlook

2025 to 2035 projection

+8.5%faster than average

202514,624 jobs

2035 projected15,871 jobs

1,247 more positions over the decade, before replacement hiring.

Preparation

Education levels

What people currently working in the career hold. These are not entry requirements.

High school diploma or less: 34.9%
Certificate: 21.7%
Some college: 18%
Associate degree: 15.7%
Bachelor's degree: 9.8%

Skills

Skills employers ask for

Technical skills appearing most often in job postings for this occupation.

Antenna
Telecommunications
Good Driving Record
Microwaves
Antenna Installation
Industry Standards
Safety Standards
Protocol Independent Multicast
Tower Climbing
Construction
Radio Frequency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Hand Tools
Working at Heights
Fiber Optics
Environment Health And Safety
Lifting Ability
Power Tool Operation
Electromagnetic Waveguides
Safety Procedures

How the work gets done

Core competencies

Broad capabilities associated with strong performance in this occupation.

Repairing: Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Installation: Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Operations Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Systems Analysis: Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

In the market

Job titles and employers

Recent job postings in United States

Common job titles

01Tower Technicians1,219 postings
02Tower Foremen302 postings
03Tower Climbers160 postings
04Cell Tower Technicians111 postings
05Tower Climber Technicians79 postings
06Tower Hands53 postings
07Cleaning Technicians50 postings
08Civil Technicians43 postings
09Welders40 postings
10Patient Care Technicians36 postings
11Ground Hands29 postings
12Drivers/Crew Leaders24 postings
13Tower Leads17 postings
14Crew Foremen15 postings
15Installation Technicians13 postings
16Infrastructure Technicians12 postings
17Power Installers12 postings
18Service Foremen12 postings
19Telecommunications Technicians12 postings
20Shop Hands11 postings

Top employers

01MasTec499 postings
02Ontivity148 postings
03Nextlink Internet73 postings
04ADB Companies62 postings
05Centerline Communications45 postings
06Obr Cooling Towers44 postings
07Betacom S.R.L.41 postings
08Infraservices Limited39 postings
09Allstates Consulting Services32 postings
10Itg Communications30 postings
11Obr Management29 postings
12Tower Engineering Professionals28 postings
13Skyline Tower Painting27 postings
14SBA Communications25 postings
15Self Regional Healthcare24 postings
16Pacific Network Solutions Construction22 postings
17Heartland Solutions Corporation21 postings
18Nextlink18 postings
19Patriot Towers18 postings
20Pillar Innovations18 postings

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