Occupations · Installation, Maintenance, and Repair

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.

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 49-2021.00

$64,190median annual wage, May 2024

11,400people employed, United States

▲ 8.6%projected change, 2024→2034

1,200openings a year, incl. replacements

What it pays

A single “average salary” hides the spread. This is the whole distribution — the gap between the bottom and top bar is usually the number that matters.

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 · national, cross-industry · annual wage

Pay over time

Median up 73% between 2003 and 2024, before inflation. The band shows the 10th to 90th percentile.

BLS OEWS, one release per year. Before May 2011 only national estimates were published, so geography detail starts there.

Where the jobs are

Metro area	Median wage	Employed
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA	$101,390	570
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC	$63,450	350
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$74,130	340
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$60,940	320
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$57,590	300
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$74,000	250
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO	$61,620	240
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	$59,760	210
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$85,790	210
St. Louis, MO-IL	$51,030	190
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$76,460	180
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$46,280	160

BLS OEWS May 2024, metropolitan estimates · the 12 areas with the most people in this occupation

Typical education to enter: Associate's degree · BLS Employment Projections 2024–34

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

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.
Climb towers to access components, using safety equipment, such as full-body harnesses.
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.
Climb communication towers to install, replace, or repair antennas or auxiliary equipment used to transmit and receive radio waves.
Replace existing antennas with new antennas as directed.
Lift equipment into position, using cranes and rigging tools or equipment, such as gin poles.
Bolt equipment into place, using hand or power tools.
Install, connect, or test underground or aboveground grounding systems.
Perform maintenance or repair work on existing tower equipment, using hand or power tools.

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Critical Thinking3.2

Speaking3.2

Active Listening3.2

Reading Comprehension3.2

Monitoring3.1

Active Learning3.0

Writing3.0

Mathematics2.8

Learning Strategies2.6

Science1.8

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

Microsoft Excel●Microsoft Office software●Microsoft Outlook●Microsoft PowerPoint●Microsoft Project●Microsoft Windows●Microsoft Word●AERONET calculatorBackbone.jsCaliper MaptitudeComputerized maintenance management system CMMSLocation mapping softwareMaintenance documentation softwareSweep analysis softwareZoho WebNMS Cell Tower Manager

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

3 / 5Medium preparation — vocational training or an associate degree, plus 1–2 years of work.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Exposed to High Places+1.5 above average

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions+1.2 above average

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled+1.1 above average

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment+1.1 above average

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls+1.0 above average

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets+0.9 above average

Public Speaking−0.8 below average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2022-08

How people actually get in

Share of workers by the education they hold.

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)31%

Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)22%

Some College Courses18%

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)16%

O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2022-08

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Realistic6.7

Conventional4.5

Investigative3.5

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

Tasks O*NET flags as emerging

Use drone technology to inspect towers and antennas for damage or maintenance needs.

O*NET 30.3 emerging tasks

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Repairing3.5

Equipment Maintenance3.4

Installation3.4

Operations Monitoring3.1

Time Management3.1

Quality Control Analysis3.1

Systems Analysis3.0

Complex Problem Solving3.0

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

Computers and ElectronicsTelecommunicationsCustomer and Personal ServiceMechanicalAdministration and ManagementEngineering and Technology

Abilities it leans on

Near VisionProblem SensitivityArm-Hand SteadinessInformation OrderingDeductive ReasoningOral Comprehension

O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

InstallerTower HandRadio TesterRadio RiggerTower ClimberRadio AdjusterRadio RepairerRadio MechanicRadio MachinistRadio RepairmanRadio MaintainerMobile TechnicianRadio ElectricianWireless Technician

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

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What changed since 2015

Comparing O*NET release 20.1 (2015-10-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning. 1 entries that were only relabelled between releases are left out.

Now listed 3

+Backbone.js+Microsoft Office software+Microsoft Windows

No longer listed 1

−Data entry software

Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.

O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

InstallerTower HandRadio RiggerRadio TesterTower ClimberRadio AdjusterRadio RepairerRadio MechanicRadio MachinistRadio RepairmanRadio MaintainerTower Technician

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
telecommunications technician	7422.7	broader
telecommunications equipment maintainer	7422.6	broader
communication infrastructure maintainer	7422.1	broader
radio technician	7422.4	broader
telecommunications engineering technician	3522.1	broader
telecommunications engineer	2153.1	broader
mobile phone repair technician	7422.3.1	broader

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

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