Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers
Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers (SOC 49-2021) earn a median $63,520 a year ($30.54 an hour) in the United States, with 11,140 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is Idaho.
What radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairers do
Radio, cellular and tower equipment installers and repairers work on fixed and mobile radio transmitting, broadcasting and receiving equipment and on two-way radio systems, including those used for cellular telecommunications, mobile broadband, ship-to-shore and aircraft-to-ground links, and those in service and emergency vehicles. They may test and analyze network coverage. On a tower job they read work orders, blueprints, plans, datasheets or site drawings to determine the work, install transmission components such as antennas and mounts, surge arrestors, transmission lines, connectors and tower-mounted amplifiers, bolt equipment into place, replace existing antennas as directed, and run power, ground or coaxial cables. Grounding systems, underground or aboveground, are installed, connected or tested. Completed work is inspected to ensure that hardware is tight, antennas are level, hangers are fastened, support is in place and weatherproofing is adequate. The operation of tower transmission components is tested with sweep testing tools or software. Cell tower technician and cellular tower climber are among the listed titles. Installers who work on switching and routing equipment in central offices and on customers' property are classified under telecommunications equipment installers (49-2022).
Typical entry: Most workers in this occupation report a high school diploma or equivalent as their level of education, according to O*NET.
Also called: Avionics Repair Technician (Avionics Repair Tech), Broadcasting Equipment Mechanic, Cell Tower Technician (Cell Tower Tech), Cellular Equipment Installer (Cell Equipment Installer), Cellular Equipment Repairer (Cell Equipment Repairer).
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $21.38 | $24.32 | $30.54 | $39.60 | $49.99 | $33.59 | 11,140 |
| Annual | $44,460 | $50,580 | $63,520 | $82,370 | $103,990 | $69,870 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairers earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Idaho | Hourly | $41.27 | $41.27 | $51.56 | $54.22 | $54.22 | $48.67 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $85,850 | $85,850 | $107,250 | $112,770 | $112,770 | $101,230 | ||||
| Pennsylvania | Hourly | $23.93 | $30.02 | $49.52 | $50.59 | $52.30 | $42.80 | 240 | 0.04 | 0.54 |
| Annual | $49,780 | $62,440 | $103,010 | $105,240 | $108,780 | $89,020 | ||||
| Connecticut | Hourly | $33.08 | $39.99 | $48.50 | $48.50 | $48.50 | $44.96 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $68,810 | $83,180 | $100,890 | $100,890 | $100,890 | $93,530 | ||||
| Maryland | Hourly | $32.25 | $38.04 | $48.46 | $56.44 | $86.55 | $52.59 | 370 | 0.14 | 1.89 |
| Annual | $67,080 | $79,110 | $100,800 | $117,380 | $180,030 | $109,390 | ||||
| Arizona | Hourly | $24.62 | $29.72 | $45.69 | $50.59 | $50.62 | $40.69 | 100 | 0.03 | 0.41 |
| Annual | $51,200 | $61,820 | $95,040 | $105,240 | $105,300 | $84,640 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| California | Hourly | $23.39 | $27.55 | $30.21 | $38.39 | $46.44 | $33.48 | 1,030 | 0.06 | 0.79 |
| Annual | $48,650 | $57,290 | $62,840 | $79,850 | $96,600 | $69,640 | ||||
| Texas | Hourly | $21.01 | $23.46 | $37.46 | $45.98 | $47.52 | $35.14 | 830 | 0.06 | 0.82 |
| Annual | $43,700 | $48,790 | $77,910 | $95,630 | $98,840 | $73,090 | ||||
| Illinois | Hourly | $23.34 | $23.50 | $29.38 | $30.26 | $37.32 | $29.38 | 780 | 0.13 | 1.79 |
| Annual | $48,540 | $48,880 | $61,110 | $62,950 | $77,630 | $61,100 | ||||
| Virginia | Hourly | $23.29 | $28.25 | $32.59 | $36.75 | $49.67 | $34.36 | 660 | 0.16 | 2.23 |
| Annual | $48,440 | $58,750 | $67,790 | $76,440 | $103,310 | $71,470 | ||||
| New Jersey | Hourly | $25.32 | $31.01 | $36.51 | $48.70 | $49.96 | $37.85 | 590 | 0.14 | 1.92 |
| Annual | $52,670 | $64,490 | $75,930 | $101,290 | $103,920 | $78,720 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | Hourly | $28.27 | $29.72 | $50.59 | $50.62 | $54.71 | $42.72 | 70 | 0.03 | 0.43 |
| Annual | $58,800 | $61,820 | $105,240 | $105,300 | $113,800 | $88,850 | ||||
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | Hourly | $48.50 | $48.50 | $48.50 | $48.50 | $48.50 | $47.03 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $100,890 | $100,890 | $100,890 | $100,890 | $100,890 | $97,820 | ||||
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | Hourly | $21.16 | $23.97 | $47.10 | $47.52 | $47.52 | $37.92 | 300 | 0.08 | 1.04 |
| Annual | $44,010 | $49,870 | $97,970 | $98,840 | $98,840 | $78,870 | ||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $28.49 | $29.80 | $46.45 | $55.08 | $55.08 | $42.61 | 370 | 0.04 | 0.55 |
| Annual | $59,250 | $61,990 | $96,610 | $114,560 | $114,560 | $88,630 | ||||
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | Hourly | $31.70 | $38.03 | $45.97 | $56.06 | $88.83 | $49.01 | 130 | 0.09 | 1.29 |
| Annual | $65,930 | $79,110 | $95,620 | $116,610 | $184,770 | $101,950 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | Hourly | $25.32 | $31.01 | $31.50 | $40.36 | $50.59 | $35.72 | 380 | 0.13 | 1.81 |
| Annual | $52,670 | $64,490 | $65,520 | $83,950 | $105,240 | $74,310 | ||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $28.49 | $29.80 | $46.45 | $55.08 | $55.08 | $42.61 | 370 | 0.04 | 0.55 |
| Annual | $59,250 | $61,990 | $96,610 | $114,560 | $114,560 | $88,630 | ||||
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | Hourly | $23.49 | $36.57 | $36.57 | $48.46 | $58.29 | $40.53 | 310 | 0.10 | 1.36 |
| Annual | $48,860 | $76,070 | $76,070 | $100,800 | $121,250 | $84,300 | ||||
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | Hourly | $21.16 | $23.97 | $47.10 | $47.52 | $47.52 | $37.92 | 300 | 0.08 | 1.04 |
| Annual | $44,010 | $49,870 | $97,970 | $98,840 | $98,840 | $78,870 | ||||
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | Hourly | $20.90 | $22.66 | $29.57 | $36.93 | $37.55 | $29.82 | 290 | 0.18 | 2.55 |
| Annual | $43,470 | $47,130 | $61,510 | $76,810 | $78,100 | $62,020 | ||||
Top industries employing radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairers
Telecommunications employ 25.6% of radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairers nationally (2,850 jobs) at a median $78,250 a year ($37.62 an hour), followed by Utility System Construction (13.9%) and Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance (9.3%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telecommunications NAICS 517000 | 2,850 | 25.6% | $78,250 | $37.62 |
| Utility System Construction NAICS 237100 | 1,550 | 13.9% | $58,360 | $28.06 |
| Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance NAICS 811200 | 1,040 | 9.3% | $49,810 | $23.95 |
| Building Equipment Contractors NAICS 238200 | 970 | 8.7% | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) NAICS 999300 | 880 | 7.9% | $76,880 | $36.96 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (11,140). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $60,360 for radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairers in May 2021 and $63,520 in May 2025, with employment of 13,700 and 11,140.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $60,360 | $29.02 | 13,700 |
| May 2022 | $59,720 | $28.71 | 13,020 |
| May 2023 | $61,310 | $29.48 | 11,810 |
| May 2024 | $64,190 | $30.86 | 11,400 |
| May 2025 | $63,520 | $30.54 | 11,140 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
43 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Idaho profile | $51.56 | $107,250 | $85,850 | $112,770 | ** | ** | ** |
| 2 | Pennsylvania profile | $49.52 | $103,010 | $49,780 | $108,780 | 240 | 0.04 | 0.54 |
| 3 | Connecticut profile | $48.50 | $100,890 | $68,810 | $100,890 | ** | ** | ** |
| 4 | Maryland profile | $48.46 | $100,800 | $67,080 | $180,030 | 370 | 0.14 | 1.89 |
| 5 | Arizona profile | $45.69 | $95,040 | $51,200 | $105,300 | 100 | 0.03 | 0.41 |
| 6 | New York profile | $38.97 | $81,070 | $48,570 | $114,560 | 420 | 0.04 | 0.61 |
| 7 | Nevada profile | $38.16 | $79,380 | $44,730 | $97,960 | 60 | 0.04 | 0.55 |
| 8 | Alaska profile | $38.01 | $79,050 | $66,560 | $114,500 | 50 | 0.14 | 1.97 |
| 9 | Washington profile | $37.99 | $79,020 | $52,780 | $110,460 | 240 | 0.07 | 0.93 |
| 10 | South Carolina profile | $37.62 | $78,250 | $61,370 | $97,170 | 40 | 0.02 | 0.23 |
| 11 | Texas profile | $37.46 | $77,910 | $43,700 | $98,840 | 830 | 0.06 | 0.82 |
| 12 | Minnesota profile | $37.00 | $76,960 | $61,560 | $92,980 | 80 | 0.03 | 0.39 |
| 13 | New Jersey profile | $36.51 | $75,930 | $52,670 | $103,920 | 590 | 0.14 | 1.92 |
| 14 | Ohio profile | $34.69 | $72,160 | $37,710 | $108,710 | 370 | 0.07 | 0.94 |
| 15 | Virginia profile | $32.59 | $67,790 | $48,440 | $103,310 | 660 | 0.16 | 2.23 |
| 16 | Hawaii profile | $31.71 | $65,970 | $45,590 | $103,990 | 70 | 0.12 | 1.64 |
| 17 | New Mexico profile | $31.30 | $65,110 | $41,030 | $100,110 | 100 | 0.12 | 1.67 |
| 18 | Michigan profile | $30.83 | $64,130 | $44,030 | $74,570 | 410 | 0.09 | 1.31 |
| 19 | South Dakota profile | $30.59 | $63,620 | $52,830 | $78,000 | 30 | 0.08 | 1.05 |
| 20 | California profile | $30.21 | $62,840 | $48,650 | $96,600 | 1,030 | 0.06 | 0.79 |
| 21 | New Hampshire profile | $30.03 | $62,450 | $48,800 | $88,180 | 110 | 0.16 | 2.25 |
| 22 | West Virginia profile | $29.89 | $62,170 | $40,890 | $105,240 | 120 | 0.17 | 2.34 |
| 23 | Georgia profile | $29.81 | $62,010 | $53,350 | $90,810 | 190 | 0.04 | 0.54 |
| 24 | Illinois profile | $29.38 | $61,110 | $48,540 | $77,630 | 780 | 0.13 | 1.79 |
| 25 | Oregon profile | $29.34 | $61,020 | $40,680 | $103,570 | 320 | 0.16 | 2.28 |
| 26 | Massachusetts profile | $29.28 | $60,890 | $38,180 | $88,450 | ** | ** | ** |
| 27 | Indiana profile | $29.25 | $60,840 | $43,200 | $79,940 | 280 | 0.09 | 1.22 |
| 28 | Delaware profile | $29.20 | $60,740 | $43,250 | $75,380 | 40 | 0.08 | 1.17 |
| 29 | Florida profile | $28.91 | $60,140 | $42,830 | $100,190 | 520 | 0.05 | 0.73 |
| 30 | Vermont profile | $28.50 | $59,290 | $43,710 | $99,760 | 60 | 0.20 | 2.75 |
| 31 | Kansas profile | $27.89 | $58,010 | $40,210 | $91,280 | 80 | 0.06 | 0.79 |
| 32 | Wisconsin profile | $27.76 | $57,740 | $49,440 | $91,760 | ** | ** | ** |
| 33 | Colorado profile | $26.98 | $56,110 | $43,470 | $78,100 | 530 | 0.19 | 2.59 |
| 34 | Oklahoma profile | $26.87 | $55,880 | $47,150 | $64,640 | 130 | 0.08 | 1.05 |
| 35 | Missouri profile | $25.21 | $52,450 | $38,030 | $94,640 | 130 | 0.05 | 0.64 |
| 36 | Nebraska profile | $25.20 | $52,410 | $48,920 | $74,910 | ** | ** | ** |
| 37 | Maine profile | $24.99 | $51,970 | $36,500 | $81,840 | 130 | 0.20 | 2.84 |
| 38 | Iowa profile | $24.40 | $50,760 | $43,710 | $93,560 | 50 | 0.03 | 0.41 |
| 39 | Kentucky profile | $23.96 | $49,840 | $37,470 | $96,040 | 90 | 0.04 | 0.60 |
| 40 | Tennessee profile | $23.62 | $49,140 | $43,880 | $68,710 | 330 | 0.10 | 1.39 |
| 41 | Mississippi profile | $23.06 | $47,960 | $40,520 | $91,770 | ** | ** | ** |
| 42 | North Carolina profile | $22.62 | $47,040 | $37,470 | $79,090 | 280 | 0.06 | 0.79 |
| 43 | Montana profile | $22.60 | $47,000 | $39,350 | $94,000 | 100 | 0.19 | 2.71 |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (49-2020), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 49-2021 Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 49-2021, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 49-2021.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.