Occupation · SOC 49-2021
Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers
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.
Median wage
$64,190
$42,360–$102,550
Projected growth
+8.6%
Faster than average
Annual openings
100
per year
Employed (US)
11,400
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
22 mapped
Core skills
RepairingInstallationEquipment MaintenanceSpeakingReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingActive ListeningTime ManagementQuality Control AnalysisOperations MonitoringMonitoringWritingTroubleshootingSystems AnalysisSocial PerceptivenessJudgment and Decision MakingCoordinationComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningSystems EvaluationOperation and ControlEquipment SelectionMathematicsInstructingPersuasionLearning StrategiesService OrientationNegotiationManagement of Personnel ResourcesProgrammingTechnology DesignManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesScienceOperations Analysis
Knowledge areas
Computers and ElectronicsTelecommunicationsCustomer and Personal ServiceMechanicalAdministration and ManagementEngineering and TechnologyEnglish LanguagePublic Safety and SecurityMathematicsCommunications and MediaEducation and TrainingAdministrativeProduction and ProcessingEconomics and AccountingBuilding and ConstructionPersonnel and Human ResourcesDesignPhysicsGeographySales and MarketingTransportationLaw and GovernmentPsychologyChemistryMedicine and DentistryPhilosophy and TheologyTherapy and CounselingSociology and AnthropologyHistory and ArcheologyBiologyForeign LanguageFine ArtsFood Production
Technology & tools
AERONET calculatorBackbone.jsCaliper MaptitudeComputerized maintenance management system CMMSLocation mapping softwareMaintenance documentation softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordSweep analysis softwareZoho WebNMS Cell Tower Manager
Representative tasks
Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesGetting InformationRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentProcessing InformationHandling and Moving ObjectsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesWorking with ComputersDocumenting/Recording InformationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationThinking CreativelyScheduling Work and ActivitiesJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsTraining and Teaching OthersControlling Machines and ProcessesEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentAnalyzing Data or InformationProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCoaching and Developing OthersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesPerforming Administrative ActivitiesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicDeveloping and Building TeamsAssisting and Caring for OthersSelling or Influencing OthersMonitoring and Controlling Resources
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Work orders, blueprints, and site drawings — read and interpret under direct supervision to identify assigned installation tasks at a tower or cell site.Hand tools and power tools — use under close guidance to bolt antenna mounts and equipment brackets securely into place on a tower structure.Power, ground, and coaxial cables — run following established routing diagrams with direct oversight on a supervised installation crew.Transmission equipment components — assist in unpacking, staging, and positioning antennas, surge arrestors, and connectors at the base of a tower site.Grounding system components — help install aboveground grounding hardware under the direction of a lead technician at a ground-level work area.Completed installation work — perform basic visual inspections to confirm hardware is tightened and hangers are fastened, checking results with a supervisor.Safety protocols and fall-protection procedures — follow precisely when climbing or working at height on a cell tower under direct supervision.Sweep testing tools — observe and assist an experienced technician in conducting basic transmission component tests on a newly installed antenna system.Equipment datasheets and technical specifications — review with guidance to identify correct antenna types and mounting hardware for a given work order.Weather proofing materials — apply to cable connections and antenna ports following standard procedures under direction on an outdoor tower installation.
developing
Work orders, site drawings, and blueprints — read and apply independently to plan daily installation or repair activities at assigned cell tower sites.Antenna mounts, transmission lines, tower-mounted amplifiers, and surge arrestors — install and connect routinely with minimal oversight on standard tower configurations.Existing antennas — replace with new antennas as directed, coordinating cable management and labeling to meet carrier specifications at active cell sites.Power, ground, and coaxial cable runs — execute accurately across varied tower types, selecting appropriate cable lengths and connector types for each installation.Underground and aboveground grounding systems — install and test using established procedures, verifying continuity and resistance values against project specifications.Sweep testing software and tools — operate to test transmission components, interpret results, and identify common faults such as VSWR anomalies on installed antenna systems.Completed tower installations — inspect systematically to verify antenna level, hardware torque, hanger spacing, and weatherproofing integrity before site sign-off.Scheduling and time management techniques — apply to sequence multiple tasks within a single-day site visit, meeting project milestones with limited supervisor direction.Facilities management and office suite software — use to log work completion, submit inspection checklists, and update equipment records in a carrier's asset management system.Safety and quality issues — recognize and communicate clearly to site supervisors and team members, demonstrating social perceptiveness during daily tower operations.
proficient
Complex installation projects — plan and execute autonomously across the full scope of tower work, including antenna systems, cabling, grounding, and transmission equipment on multi-sector cell sites.Non-routine transmission faults — diagnose and resolve using sweep testing tools, RF analysis software, and deductive reasoning when standard troubleshooting steps do not yield a solution.Site drawings, engineering datasheets, and carrier specifications — interpret and cross-reference independently to adapt installation plans when field conditions deviate from design documents.Underground and aboveground grounding system integrity — evaluate and certify using test equipment, ensuring compliance with NEC and carrier standards across diverse site configurations.Tower hardware inspections — conduct thorough post-installation audits verifying antenna azimuth and tilt, connector weatherproofing, cable bend radius, and structural attachment points without supervision.Replacement antenna campaigns — manage end-to-end, coordinating logistics, equipment staging, and configuration documentation to minimize network downtime at live carrier sites.Geographic information system and map creation software — use to verify site coordinates, document equipment placement, and support RF optimization activities across a territory.Quality control analysis — perform on completed work by identifying root causes of recurring installation defects and recommending corrective actions to improve site reliability.Telecommunications and electronics knowledge — apply to select optimal transmission components and cable configurations when engineering guidance is incomplete or ambiguous.Incident and near-miss situations — assess critically, applying cautiousness and problem sensitivity to protect crew safety and site integrity during high-risk tower climbs or severe weather.
advanced
Competency frameworks and training programs — design and deliver for entry-level and developing tower technicians, drawing on deep expertise in antenna installation, grounding, and RF testing.Multi-site deployment programs — lead at the organizational level, coordinating crews, subcontractors, and carrier project managers to meet large-scale network rollout milestones on schedule.Technical standards and best-practice procedures — author and maintain for antenna installation, sweep testing, and grounding systems, establishing organizational benchmarks aligned with carrier and regulatory requirements.Project management software and reporting tools — leverage to track progress, forecast resource needs, and communicate status across engineering, operations, and executive stakeholders for complex tower programs.Quality assurance systems — develop and implement across field teams, using data from inspections and sweep test results to drive continuous improvement in installation accuracy and network performance.Strategic vendor and carrier relationships — cultivate to negotiate equipment supply agreements, resolve escalated technical disputes, and align organizational capabilities with evolving 5G and small-cell deployment demands.Safety culture and fall-protection compliance — champion organization-wide, establishing audit processes and accountability structures that reduce incident rates across all tower crews.Cross-functional problem solving — lead on complex, high-visibility network failures, synthesizing RF engineering data, field observations, and carrier requirements to direct effective resolution under time pressure.Emerging telecommunications technologies — evaluate and integrate into organizational workflows, positioning the enterprise to adopt new antenna systems, remote electrical tilt controls, and O-RAN architectures ahead of market demand.Workforce planning and resource allocation — direct across multiple crews and regions, balancing skill development, equipment availability, and project demand to maximize operational efficiency and service quality.
Also known as
59 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Avionics Repair Technician (Avionics Repair Tech)Broadcasting Equipment MechanicCell Tower Technician (Cell Tower Tech)Cellular Equipment Installer (Cell Equipment Installer)Cellular Equipment Repairer (Cell Equipment Repairer)Cellular Tower Climber (Cell Tower Climber)Certified Tower ClimberCommunications Security RepairerCommunications Systems TechnicianCommunications TechnicianCommunications Tower ClimberElectronic Equipment RepairerFiber Optic TechnicianField Radio TechnicianField Service Technician (Field Service Tech)Field Technician (Field Tech)Installation Technician (Installation Tech)InstallerLand Mobile Radio TechnicianMaintenance and Condition Assessment ForemanMicrowave Radio TechnicianMobile Radio TechnicianMobile TechnicianRadio AdjusterRadio Communications Tech (Radio Communications Technician)Radio ElectricianRadio Equipment InstallerRadio Equipment RepairerRadio Frequency Technician (RF Tech)Radio MachinistRadio MaintainerRadio MechanicRadio RepairerRadio RepairmanRadio RiggerRadio Service ProgrammerRadio Technician (Radio Tech)Radio TesterRadio Tower Technician (Radio Tower Tech)RF Test Tech (Radio Frequency Test Technician)