Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers salary guide 2025: $63,520 median
Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers — the techs who install and maintain the antennas and equipment on cell towers, radio towers, and other broadcast structures — earn a national median salary of $63,520 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The mean wage is $69,870, or about $31 an hour. The occupation pays well above the national median for all occupations, and the top 10% of earners make over $103,990.
How much Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers earn
The typical salary range for this occupation runs from $44,460 at the 10th percentile to $103,990 at the 90th. That wide spread reflects differences in experience, certification, geographic location, and employer type — from small regional tower crews to major telecom carriers.
- Median annual wage: $63,520
- Mean annual wage: $69,870 ($31/hour)
- 10th percentile: $44,460
- 90th percentile: $103,990
Pay by state
Where you work matters a lot. The highest-paying state for radio and tower installers is Idaho, with an annual mean wage of $107,250. Pennsylvania follows at $103,010, then Connecticut ($100,890), Maryland ($100,800), and Arizona ($95,040). On the low end, Mississippi pays $47,960, North Carolina $47,040, and Montana $47,000. If you’re willing to relocate, heading to a high-paying state can boost your income by more than double.
How to become Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairer
Most workers enter this occupation with a high school diploma or equivalent, but some technical training or an associate degree in electronics or telecommunications is common. On-the-job training is the norm — new hires typically work under an experienced technician for several months. Employers often prefer candidates with a valid driver’s license and the ability to pass a background check and drug test. Physical fitness and comfort working at heights (sometimes hundreds of feet) are non-negotiable. Certification from the Electronics Technicians Association (ETA) or similar groups can improve job prospects. Some states or employers may require a commercial driver’s license for heavy equipment or tower climbing certification.
- High school diploma minimum; technical school or associate degree helpful
- On-the-job training (several months to a year)
- Certifications available through ETA or other industry bodies
- Comfort with heights, physical stamina, clean driving record
- Some states require climbing certification or CDL
Job outlook
Employment of Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers is projected to grow 8.6% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. That translates to about 1,200 job openings per year, mostly from workers retiring or leaving the field. Driving the demand: ongoing rollout of 5G networks, expansion of rural broadband, and maintenance of existing infrastructure. With only 11,140 workers currently in the occupation, competition for jobs can be stiff in some areas, but those with climbing certifications and electronics training will have an edge.
Frequently asked questions
What is the salary of a Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers?
The median annual wage is $63,520. The lowest 10% earn under $44,460, and the highest 10% earn over $103,990.
How do I become a tower installer?
You typically need a high school diploma, on-the-job training, and physical fitness for climbing. Technical school or certifications can help. Many employers require a clean driving record and drug test.
Is tower climbing a good career?
It offers solid pay and faster-than-average job growth (8.6% through 2034). The work is physically demanding and involves heights, but no college degree is required.
Salary figures are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates (OEWS / Employment Projections). For informational purposes only; not career or financial advice. See the full Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers data.