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Tower technician: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$63,520median pay per year, or $30.54 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $44,460lowest 10% earn less
  2. $50,58025th percentile
  3. $63,520median
  4. $82,37075th percentile
  5. $103,990top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

Radio, cellular and tower equipment installers and repairers, the BLS category that covers tower technicians, earned a median of $63,520 a year[1]. BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry education[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+1.2%[5]
Openings per year
1,000[6]
Typical entry education
Associate's degree[2]

How much do tower technicians make?

The median pay for Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers was $63,520 a year, or $30.54 an hour[1]. Half of the workers earned more and half earned less. The average was $69,870 a year, or $33.59 an hour[7].

The median for all occupations was $50,980 a year[4].

The table shows annual and hourly wage points for May 2025.

Point Annual wage Hourly wage
10th percentile[3][8] $44,460 $21.38
25th percentile[3][8] $50,580 $24.32
Median[1] $63,520 $30.54
75th percentile[3][8] $82,370 $39.60
90th percentile[3][8] $103,990 $49.99

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $44,460[3]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages rather than a starting salary[9].

These figures cover wage and salary workers only. They leave out the self-employed, nonproduction bonuses and the cost of benefits[10]. About 11,140 people held these jobs[11].

Pay by state and city

Idaho had the highest median wage at $107,250[12]. Pennsylvania ($103,010), Connecticut ($100,890), Maryland ($100,800) and Arizona ($95,040) followed[12]. Pennsylvania had 240 jobs and Arizona had 100[12].

The most jobs were in California (1,030), Texas (830), Illinois (780), Virginia (660) and New Jersey (590)[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX had the highest median at $97,970[14]. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ ($96,610) and Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ($95,620) came next[14]. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington had the most jobs at 380, with a median of $65,520[15].

Show median pay in 43 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Idaho[12]$107,250n/a
Pennsylvania$103,010240
Connecticut$100,890n/a
Maryland$100,800370
Arizona$95,040100
New York$81,070420
Nevada$79,38060
Alaska$79,05050
Washington$79,020240
South Carolina$78,25040
Texas$77,910830
Minnesota$76,96080
New Jersey$75,930590
Ohio$72,160370
Virginia$67,790660
Hawaii$65,97070
New Mexico$65,110100
Michigan$64,130410
South Dakota$63,62030
California$62,8401,030
New Hampshire$62,450110
West Virginia$62,170120
Georgia$62,010190
Illinois$61,110780
Oregon$61,020320
Massachusetts$60,890n/a
Indiana$60,840280
Delaware$60,74040
Florida$60,140520
Vermont$59,29060
Kansas$58,01080
Wisconsin$57,740n/a
Colorado$56,110530
Oklahoma$55,880130
Missouri$52,450130
Nebraska$52,410n/a
Maine$51,970130
Iowa$50,76050
Kentucky$49,84090
Tennessee$49,140330
Mississippi$47,960n/a
North Carolina$47,040280
Montana$47,000100

How to become a tower technician

BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical education for entry. It lists no related work experience, and moderate-term on-the-job training[2].

The details below come from a BLS profile on telecommunications technicians, which covers this job together with related ones, so the text describes a wider group[16].

Certification from a manufacturer or employer may help some technicians[22]. A driver's license may be needed to reach job sites, and heavy vehicle drivers usually need a commercial driver's license. Some employers want first aid or CPR certification[23].

In an ONET survey of 20 workers, 31% said a high school diploma is required[24]. Others said a post-secondary certificate (22%), some college courses (18%), an associate's degree (16%) or a bachelor's degree (10%)[24]. ONET places the job in Job Zone Three, which calls for medium preparation[25].

The facts here do not say how long a degree program takes.

What tower technicians do

O*NET describes the job as installing, repairing or maintaining radio equipment, including systems used for cellular service, mobile broadband and emergency vehicle radios. It may also include testing network coverage[26]. Common tasks include:

The wider BLS profile lists comfort at heights, color vision, dexterity and mechanical skills as important[28][29][30][31]. O*NET sample titles include Tower Technician, RF Technician and Field Service Technician[32].

Where they work

For the wider BLS group, some technicians work indoors in homes, businesses or central offices, and others work outdoors installing cables and equipment[33]. The work can mean climbing onto rooftops, ladders, poles and towers, and sometimes working in cramped spaces or lifting heavy equipment[34].

BLS says the work can be dangerous. Installers and repairers in this area have some of the highest injury and illness rates of any occupation, and falls and strains are common[35]. Workers wear hardhats and harnesses, and may shut off power before repairs[36].

In the wider group, most work full time. Night or weekend shifts may be needed, and some technicians are on call around the clock[37]. In the wider BLS group, telecommunications was the largest employer group at 61% of jobs[38].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 1.2% between 2025 and 2035, rising from about 11,300 to 11,400 jobs, a change of +100[5]. Across all occupations, projected growth is 3.5%[39]. These projection counts include self-employed workers, and 0.7% of workers were self-employed in 2025[40].

About 1,000 openings are projected each year[6]. Openings include jobs left by people who retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs. Each year, 3.2% of workers leave the labor force and 5.2% move to a different occupation[41].

Is it a good fit?

The median pay is above the all-occupations median, though the range is wide[1][4][3]. Entry typically takes an associate's degree and moderate-term on-the-job training[2]. Growth is projected below the all-occupations rate, and this is a small occupation[5][39][11]. The work involves heights, climbing and a higher risk of injury, so comfort with those conditions matters[28][34][35].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[42].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a tower technician make an hour?
The median was $30.54 an hour in May 2025 for Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers, and the average was $33.59[1][7].
What education do you need to be a tower technician?
BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry education, with moderate-term on-the-job training[2]. For the wider group, a high school diploma or equivalent is typically the minimum[17].
Is tower technician work in demand?
BLS projects 1.2% growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[5][39]. About 1,000 openings are projected each year[6].
What is the highest paying state for tower technicians?
Idaho had the highest median at $107,250, followed by Pennsylvania at $103,010[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers in the US was $63,520 per year and $30.54 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers: education needed for entry: Associate's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers: 10th percentile $44,460, 25th percentile $50,580, 75th percentile $82,370, 90th percentile $103,990. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers is projected to grow 1.2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 11,300 to 11,400 jobs (a change of +100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 1,000 openings for Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers was $69,870 per year and $33.59 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers: 10th percentile $21.38, 25th percentile $24.32, 75th percentile $39.60, 90th percentile $49.99. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 11,140 people were employed as Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers jobs: California 1,030; Texas 830; Illinois 780; Virginia 660; New Jersey 590. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers (areas with at least 100 jobs): Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $97,970; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $96,610; Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $95,620; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $82,380; Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $81,270; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $76,070; Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $75,780; Columbus, OH $67,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers jobs: Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 380 (median $65,520); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 370 (median $96,610); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 310 (median $76,070); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 300 (median $97,970); Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO 290 (median $61,510); Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC 280 (median $67,790). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Telecommunications Technicians" covers Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. O*NET 49-2021.00 survey of workers (20 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 31%, Post-Secondary Certificate 22%, Some College Courses 18%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 16%, Bachelor's Degree 10% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET 49-2021.00: Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET description of Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers. O*NET OnLine
  27. O*NET task list for Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers. O*NET OnLine
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. O*NET 49-2021.00 sample job titles reported by workers: 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). O*NET OnLine
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  37. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  38. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of telecommunications technicians in 2025: Telecommunications 61%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  39. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  40. BLS Employment Projections: 0.7% of Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  41. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers: 3.2% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5.2% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  42. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.