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.
From people doing the work
It's a hands-on job, often outdoors and at heights, dealing with complex radio and cellular systems. You're constantly troubleshooting, climbing towers, and ensuring critical communication links stay up. It's satisfying to see the network you've built or fixed come alive, but it demands precision and a good head for heights.
Drawn from National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE), IEEE Communications Society, Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA)
Attribution: Composite
Composite · Synthesised from National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE), IEEE Communications Society, Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA)
A day in the life of a Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers
- People interaction
- Extensive
- Team vs solo
- 85% Team / 15% Solo
- Client facing
- Sometimes
- Impact visibility
- High
- Travel
- Moderate
- Schedule flexibility
- Flexible
- Remote work
- On-site Only
- Typical work hours
- 40-50
- Stress level
- Moderate
Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers salary, education and outlook at a glance
- Median salary
- $64,190
- Entry-level
- $45,000
- Senior
- $96,000
- Growth by 2033
- +8.6%
- Demand
- Growing
- Freelance potential
- Moderate
- Salary growth potential
- 113%
- Typical student debt
- Moderate
Skills you need as a Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers
Hard skills
- Computers and Electronics
- Repairing
- Project management software
Soft skills
- Social Perceptiveness
- Coordination
- Active Listening
Technical complexity: Low
Tools of the trade
Core tools
- Spectrum Analyzer (Hardware): To measure and analyze radio frequency signals for troubleshooting and optimization.
- Multimeter (Hardware): To measure electrical properties like voltage, current, and resistance in circuits.
- OSI Model (Standard): To understand and troubleshoot network communication layers.
- Two-way Radio Test Set (Hardware): To test and align two-way radio communication systems.
- Climbing Safety Gear (Hardware): To ensure safety when working on communication towers.
Commonly used
- Network Protocol Analyzer (Software): To capture and analyze network traffic for diagnostics and performance monitoring.
- Fiber Optic Splicing Kit (Hardware): To join optical fibers for high-speed data transmission.
- Linux Operating System (Software): To manage and configure network devices and servers.
How to become a Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers
- Minimum education
- High School Diploma
- Licensing
- Varies by State
- Years to mid-career
- 4-7
- Years to senior
- 10-15
- Career switching
- Moderate
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
- Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers: Individuals in this role often transition from installing and repairing telecommunication lines to more specialized radio and cellular equipment.
- Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment: Experience with electrical and electronic systems in transportation can be a foundation for working with communication equipment in vehicles.
- Broadcast Technicians: Broadcast technicians have a strong understanding of radio frequency transmission and reception, which is directly applicable.
Where you can go from here
- Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists: This role involves working with advanced radio frequency technologies, building on the foundational knowledge of installers and repairers.
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer: With further education and experience, these professionals can advance to designing and developing electronic communication systems.
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers: A natural progression to broader telecommunications equipment, beyond just radio and cellular systems.
Typical progression
- Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers
- Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers
- Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
- or Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers
Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers job outlook and future demand
- Automation probability
- Very High
- AI disruption risk
- Low
- Demand trend
- Growing
Job satisfaction as a Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers
- Overall satisfaction
- 6.8/10
- Meaning
- 6.5/10
- Work-life balance
- 6/10
- Prestige
- 5.5/10
- Social perception
- Moderate
Where practitioners gather
Professional organisations
- National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE): A leading organization representing the tower erection, maintenance, and service industry.
- IEEE Communications Society: A global community for professionals in communications technology, offering publications, conferences, and educational resources.
- Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA): Represents the wireless infrastructure industry, focusing on policy, advocacy, and workforce development.
Podcasts and media
- Field Service News: A publication providing news, insights, and best practices for field service professionals, including those in telecommunications.
Reddit communities
- r/networking: An online community for network professionals to discuss technologies, issues, and careers.