Installation, Maintenance & Repair
Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers
Also called: Communications Systems Technician, Field Service Technician (Field Service Tech), Field Technician (Field Tech), Installation Technician (Installation Tech)
US median pay
$63,520
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+1.2%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
1,000
11,300 employed
Typical entry education
Associate's degree
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Bolt equipment into place, using hand or power tools.
- Install, connect, or test underground or aboveground grounding systems.
- Complete reports related to project status, progress, or other work details, using computer software.
- Check antenna positioning to ensure specified azimuths or mechanical tilts and adjust as necessary.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Repairing3.5/5
- Installation3.4/5
- Equipment Maintenance3.4/5
- Time Management3.1/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.1/5
- Operations Monitoring3.1/5
- Troubleshooting3.0/5
- Systems Analysis3.0/5
Knowledge
- Computers and Electronics4.1/5
- Telecommunications3.9/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.9/5
- Mechanical3.4/5
- Administration and Management3.3/5
- Engineering and Technology3.2/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Typical entry education (BLS): Associate's degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma31%
- Post-secondary certificate22%
- Some college18%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.