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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.
Other titles employers use
Communications Systems Technician · Field Service Technician (Field Service Tech) · Field Technician (Field Tech) · Installation Technician (Installation Tech) · Radio Frequency Technician (RF Tech) · Radio Repairman · Radio Technician (Radio Tech) · Tower Technician (Tower Tech)
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, organizing and analytical work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Repairing
- Installation
- Equipment Maintenance
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
Subjects to know
- Computers and Electronics
- Telecommunications
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mechanical
- Administration and Management
Useful strengths
- Problem Sensitivity
- Near Vision
- Deductive Reasoning
- Information Ordering
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.8 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 3.0 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.8 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 4.3 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for an associate degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A certificate or some college 40%
- High school or less 35%
- A two-year degree 15%
- A four-year degree 10%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Electronic mail software
- Presentation software
- Project management software
- Operating system software
- Word processing software
- Analytical or scientific software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 1,300
- Job openings each year
- 140
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 10.2%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 1,300 | 140 | 10.2% |
| New Jersey | 1,140 | 120 | 4.6% |
| Florida | 950 | 100 | 14.5% |
| Virginia | 690 | 70 | 3.0% |
| North Carolina | 500 | 50 | 19.0% |
| Ohio | 500 | 50 | 8.7% |
| Oregon | 480 | 50 | −2.0% |
| Michigan | 460 | 50 | 2.2% |
| Colorado | 430 | 50 | 13.2% |
| Georgia | 390 | 40 | 5.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 370 | 40 | 5.7% |
| Tennessee | 350 | 40 | 2.9% |
| Washington | 310 | 30 | 3.3% |
| Minnesota | 270 | 30 | 8.0% |
| Puerto Rico | 270 | 30 | 8.0% |
| Indiana | 260 | 30 | −3.7% |
| New Hampshire | 250 | 30 | 13.6% |
| Maryland | 240 | 20 | −7.7% |
| Oklahoma | 230 | 20 | 4.5% |
| Nevada | 210 | 20 | 16.7% |
| Kentucky | 200 | 20 | 11.1% |
| New Mexico | 160 | 20 | 14.3% |
| Arizona | 150 | 20 | 7.1% |
| Utah | 140 | 20 | 16.7% |
| Kansas | 130 | 10 | −18.8% |
| Mississippi | 110 | 10 | 22.2% |
| Nebraska | 110 | 10 | 10.0% |
| South Carolina | 110 | 10 | — |
| North Dakota | 100 | 10 | — |
| Delaware | 90 | 10 | — |
| Iowa | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| Montana | 90 | 10 | −10.0% |
| Alaska | 80 | 10 | — |
| Missouri | 80 | 10 | −11.1% |
| Guam | 70 | 10 | 16.7% |
| Massachusetts | 70 | 10 | 16.7% |
| West Virginia | 70 | 10 | 16.7% |
| Wyoming | 60 | 10 | — |
| Arkansas | 40 | 10 | — |
| Wisconsin | 40 | 0 | — |
| Maine | 30 | 0 | −25.0% |
| Idaho | 20 | 0 | 100.0% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.