The median pay for Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers is $63,520 a year ($30.54/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 1.2% through 2035, with about 1,000 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.
- SOC 49-2021
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installer and Repairer in four numbers
- Median pay
- $63,520a year, or $30.54/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $44KTop 10% $104K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +1.2%Slower than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+1.2%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +1.2% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 1,00011,300 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202511.3K
- Projected 203511.4K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 11.3K Projected 2035 11.4K - Typical education
- Associate'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school4.2%
- High school30.7%
- Certificate21.7%
- Some college18%
- Associate's15.7%
- Bachelor's9.8%
Highest education held by radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairers Segment Value Less than high school 4.2% High school 30.7% Certificate 21.7% Some college 18% Associate's 15.7% Bachelor's 9.8%
Also advertised as: Communications Systems Technician, Field Service Technician (Field Service Tech), Field Technician (Field Tech), Installation Technician (Installation Tech), Radio Frequency Technician (RF Tech), Radio Repairman.
Pay
How much do Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers make?
Every radio, cellular, and tower equipment installer and repairer in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$63,520
Middle half earn $50,580 to $82,370
- 10th
- $44,460
- 25th
- $50,580
- 75th
- $82,370
- 90th
- $103,990
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $44,460 |
| 25th | $50,580 |
| Median | $63,520 |
| 75th | $82,370 |
| 90th | $103,990 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $63,520
- Median hourly wage
- $30.54/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $69,870
- People employed
- 11,140
Versus all US occupations
At $63,520, Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers earn 25% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $12,540 a year.
Versus installation, maintenance, and repair occupations
Inside the Installation, Maintenance, and Repair group, where the middle occupation pays $61,150, this is 4% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $103,990 or more while the bottom 10% earn $44,460, a gap of 2.3×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 38% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Idaho pays the most at $107,250, and still leads at $112,311 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Idaho | $107,250 | $112,311 | N/A |
| 2Pennsylvania | $103,010 | $105,573 | 240 |
| 3Connecticut | $100,890 | $97,375 | N/A |
| 4Maryland | $100,800 | $96,038 | 370 |
| 5Arizona | $95,040 | $94,401 | 100 |
| 6New York | $81,070 | $75,120 | 420 |
| 7Nevada | $79,380 | $79,397 | 60 |
| 8Alaska | $79,050 | $77,228 | 50 |
| 9Washington | $79,020 | $73,841 | 240 |
| 10South Carolina | $78,250 | $83,468 | 40 |
Job outlook
Is Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installer and Repairer a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Slower than average. +1.2% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers | +1.2% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Slower than average
BLS projects employment of Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers to change 1.2% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 100 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 1,000 openings are projected each year, 8.8% of the 11,300 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of telecommunications technicians is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, decline.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of telecommunications technicians varies by occupation (see table).
Demand for radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairers is expected to increase due to continued growth in the construction of power and communications line and related structures.
Getting in
How to become a Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installer and Repairer
Telecommunications technicians typically need at least a high school diploma or equivalent to enter the occupation. Employers may prefer to hire candidates who have a certificate or associate’s degree. These workers also receive on-the-job training.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Associate's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairers.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)30.7%
- Post-Secondary Certificate21.7%
- Some College Courses18%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree15.7%
- Bachelor's Degree9.8%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 30.7% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 21.7% |
| Some College Courses | 18% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 15.7% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 9.8% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installer and Repairer do?
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.
Telecommunications technicians, also known as telecom technicians, install and maintain telecommunications infrastructure. They set up and fix different types of devices or equipment that carry communications signals, such as internet routers and fiber optic lines.
Day-to-day tasks
- Run appropriate power, ground, or coaxial cables.
- Bolt equipment into place, using hand or power tools.
- 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.
- Replace existing antennas with new antennas as directed.
- Read work orders, blueprints, plans, datasheets or site drawings to determine work to be done.
- Transport equipment to work sites, using utility trucks and equipment trailers.
- Take site survey photos or photos of work performed, using digital cameras.
- Install all necessary transmission equipment components, including antennas or antenna mounts, surge arrestors, transmission lines, connectors, or tower-mounted amplifiers (TMAs).
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most telecom technicians work full time. Telecom technicians may be required to work night or weekend shifts to maintain or upgrade telecommunications equipment. Some are on call around the clock in case of emergency.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension3.3
- Active Listening3.3
- Speaking3.3
- Critical Thinking3.3
- Monitoring3.1
- Writing3.0
- Active Learning3.0
- Mathematics2.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.3 |
| Active Listening | 3.3 |
| Speaking | 3.3 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.3 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Writing | 3.0 |
| Active Learning | 3.0 |
| Mathematics | 2.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Repairing3.5
- Installation3.4
- Equipment Maintenance3.4
- Operations Monitoring3.1
- Quality Control Analysis3.1
- Time Management3.1
- Social Perceptiveness3.0
- Coordination3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Repairing | 3.5 |
| Installation | 3.4 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.4 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.1 |
| Time Management | 3.1 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Project management software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Facilities management software
- Geographic information system
- Map creation software
- Web platform development software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installer and Repairer?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installer and Repairer |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic6.7
- Conventional4.5
- Investigative3.5
- Social1.4
- Enterprising1.4
- Artistic1.1
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installer and Repairer
O*NET related occupations
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer, Except Line Installers
$63,890median a year
Most earn $44K to $97K
−3.3%Certificate - Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
Telecommunications Line Installer and Repairer
$74,330median a year
Most earn $45K to $104K
−3.4%High school - Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
Audiovisual Equipment Installer and Repairer
$52,600median a year
Most earn $37K to $84K
+4.8%Certificate - Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
Electrical and Electronics Repairer, Commercial and Industrial Equipment
$74,090median a year
Most earn $47K to $106K
+0.3%Certificate - Architecture and Engineering
Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialist
$130,220median a year
Most earn $82K to $207K
+3.7%Bachelor's - Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
Electrical and Electronics Installer and Repairer, Transportation Equipment
$84,890median a year
Most earn $51K to $117K
+5.4%Certificate
More installation, maintenance, and repair careers
Median annual pay, with radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairers highlighted
- Aircraft Mechanic$79,870
- Millwright$65,700
- Industrial Machinery Mechanic$64,520
- Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installer and Repairer$63,520
- Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist$61,770
- Medical Equipment Repairer$61,660
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer$61,010
- Automotive Body and Related Repairer$54,890
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic$50,620
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Mechanic | $79,870 |
| Millwright | $65,700 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $64,520 |
| Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installer and Repairer | $63,520 |
| Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist | $61,770 |
| Medical Equipment Repairer | $61,660 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer | $61,010 |
| Automotive Body and Related Repairer | $54,890 |
| Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic | $50,620 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installer and Repairer appears on
Questions
Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installer and Repairer: frequently asked questions
How much do Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers make?
Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers earn a median of $63,520 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 25% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $30.54/hr. The middle half earn between $50,580 and $82,370. The top 10% earn $103,990 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installer and Repairer?
Usually a two-year degree rather than a four-year one. BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry-level education for Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 30.7% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installer and Repairer a growing career?
It is growing, but slowly: 1.2% over 2025–2035 against 3.5% for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 1,000 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installer and Repairer do?
Telecommunications technicians, also known as telecom technicians, install and maintain telecommunications infrastructure. A core O*NET task: run appropriate power, ground, or coaxial cables. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Office suite software, Operating system software.
Which states pay Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers the most?
The highest state medians for Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers are Idaho ($107,250), Pennsylvania ($103,010), Connecticut ($100,890) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installer and Repairer?
O*NET scores Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.