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
23 mapped
Core skills
RepairingInstallationEquipment MaintenanceActive ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionQuality Control Analysis
Knowledge areas
Computers and ElectronicsTelecommunicationsCustomer and Personal ServiceMechanicalAdministration and Management
Technology & tools
Analytical or scientific softwareWeb platform development softwareGeographic information systemFacilities management softwareMap creation software
Representative tasks
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.Climb towers to access components, using safety equipment, such as full-body harnesses.Climb communication towers to install, replace, or repair antennas or auxiliary equipment used to transmit and receive radio waves.Lift equipment into position, using cranes and rigging tools or equipment, such as gin poles.Perform maintenance or repair work on existing tower equipment, using hand or power tools.Locate tower sites where work is to be performed, using mapping software.Install or repair tower lighting components, including strobes, beacons, or lighting controllers.Calibrate and align components, using scales, gauges, and other measuring instruments.Examine malfunctioning radio equipment to locate defects such as loose connections, broken wires, or burned-out components, using schematic diagrams and test equipment.Insert plugs into receptacles and bolt or screw leads to terminals to connect equipment to power sources, using hand tools.Install, adjust, and repair stationary and mobile radio transmitting and receiving equipment and two-way radio communication systems.Monitor radio range stations to detect transmission flaws and adjust controls to eliminate flaws.Mount equipment on transmission towers and in vehicles such as ships or ambulances.Remove and replace defective components and parts such as conductors, resistors, semiconductors, and integrated circuits, using soldering irons, wire cutters, and hand tools.Repair circuits, wiring, and soldering, using soldering irons and hand tools to install parts and adjust connections.Test batteries, using hydrometers and ammeters, and charge batteries as necessary.Test emergency transmitters to ensure their readiness for immediate use.Test equipment functions such as signal strength and quality, transmission capacity, interference, and signal delay, using equipment such as oscilloscopes, circuit analyzers, frequency meters, and wattmeters.Turn setscrews to adjust receivers for maximum sensitivity and transmitters for maximum output.
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
272 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Avionics Test Station, Components, And Electronic Warfare Systems Helper (Air Force 2A011)Fighter Aircraft Integrated Avionics Helper, F-16 Avionics (Air Force 2A314C)Surface Cryptologic Carry-On Program (CCOP) Installer (Navy C38B)Telecommunications Line ForemanMH-60S Systems Organizational Career Maintenance Technician (Navy E26A)AIMS System Technician (Navy V07B)Aviation Electronics Intermediate Level Technician (Navy 002410)Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Craftsman (Air Force 1Z371)MH-60R Electronics Systems Organizational Career Maintenance Technician (Navy E25A)Aircraft Communications/Navigation/Radar System Technician, EA-6 (Marine Corps 6313)Tactical Data Systems Technician (Marine Corps 5974)Cellular Equipment Repairer (Cell Equipment Repairer)Communications Operator (Navy 001215)Tower HandAvionics Test Station, Components, And Electronic Warfare Systems Helper, B-1/E-8/F-15 Avionics Systems (Air Force 2A011M)AN/USQ-82(V) Data Multiplex System Technician (Navy V72B)Tower ClimberRadio Frequency Technician (RF Tech)Avionics Repair Technician (Avionics Repair Tech)Surface Cryptologic Carry-On Program (CCOP) Director (Navy C38C)Advanced Fighter Aircraft Integrated Avionics Journeyman, F-35 (Air Force 2A355B)Land Mobile Radio TechnicianSpecial Reconnaissance Apprentice (Air Force 1Z431)E-2C Hawkeye 2000 Systems Organizational Initial Maintenance Technician (Navy E33A)Tower Equipment InstallerAvionics Test Station, Components, And Electronic Warfare Systems Apprentice, B-1/E-8/F-15 Avionics Systems (Air Force 2A031M)Communications Systems TechnicianNetwork Transport Technician (Marine Corps 0633)Communication/Navigation/Cryptographic/Countermeasures Systems Technician, IMA (Marine Corps 6483)Consolidated Automated Support System (CASS) Family of Testers (FoT) (EO) IMA Technician (Navy I34A)Transmissions Chief (Marine Corps 0629)Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) Systems Engineer (Marine Corps 2651)Interior Communication Operator (Navy 003733)SSGN Navigation Maintenance Electronics Technician (Navy T16A)Aviation RADAR Technician (Marine Corps 5948)MQ-1 Repairer (Army 15M)Fighter Aircraft Integrated Avionics Helper, A-10/U-2 Avionics (Air Force 2A314A)AEGIS Ashore Communications Technician (Navy V35B)Avionics Test Station, Components, And Electronic Warfare Systems Apprentice, Avionics Sensor Systems and ElectronicWarfare Systems (Air Force 2A031P)Avionics Test Station, Components, And Electronic Warfare Systems Helper, Avionics Sensor Systems and ElectronicWarfare Systems (Air Force 2A011P)