What Does a Tower Technician Do?

Tower technicians are responsible for maintaining and repairing communications towers. They’re often the highest paid employees at these companies because they have to climb hundreds of feet into the air to perform their job duties.

Tower technicians must be in excellent physical condition, as they spend most of their day climbing up and down ladders or stairs while carrying heavy equipment. They also need to be highly skilled with tools and other machinery used to repair and maintain towers.

Tower Technician Job Duties

Tower technicians have a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Installing, maintaining, repairing and servicing communications equipment such as antennas and towers, including fiber optic cables and other components
• Performing tests on equipment to ensure it is functioning properly
• Coordinating with other technicians to install new equipment or repair existing equipment
• Installing and repairing telephone and internet lines, including fiber optic cables and other components
• Installing, maintaining and repairing security equipment, such as burglar alarms, surveillance cameras and fire alarms
• Maintaining records of work orders and completion dates
• Inspecting towers, masts, and other structures to identify structural problems that could lead to accidents
• Repairing faulty equipment or components, such as broken antennas or transmitters
• Maintaining tower logs and records of inspections performed on towers and other structures

Tower Technician Salary & Outlook

Tower technician salaries vary depending on their level of experience, the company size and geographic location. They may also earn additional compensation in the form of overtime.

• Median Annual Salary: $50,627 ($24.34/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $91,000 ($43.75/hour)

The employment of tower technicians is expected to grow at an average rate over the next decade.

Demand for wireless and cell phone services is expected to increase as more people use mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, for work and leisure activities. As a result, more towers will be needed to support these services. In addition, the need to update existing infrastructure may lead to some job growth for tower technicians.

Tower Technician Job Requirements

Tower technicians typically need to have the following qualifications:

Education: Most employers require tower technicians to have at least a high school diploma or GED. Some employers prefer candidates who have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in telecommunications, electronics or another related field.

Training & Experience: Tower technicians receive most of their training on the job. They may work under a more experienced technician until they are comfortable performing all duties on their own.

Certifications & Licenses: Tower technicians can earn several certifications that demonstrate their knowledge in communications, safety and tower systems.

Tower Technician Skills

Tower technicians need the following skills in order to be successful:

Communication: Communication is the act of conveying information through speech, writing or other methods. As a tower technician, effective communication is crucial to your success in the field. You may need to communicate with clients, coworkers and other technicians to relay information and complete tasks. You may also need to communicate with clients to explain technical information about the equipment you’re working on.

Technical skills: Technical skills are the knowledge and experience you have in a specific field. As a tower technician, you may have a variety of technical skills related to the job, including knowledge of electrical systems, knowledge of telecommunications and knowledge of safety regulations.

Problem-solving: As a tower technician, you may be responsible for diagnosing and repairing various issues with telecommunications equipment. This requires the ability to identify the source of the problem and develop a solution. Tower technicians may also be responsible for identifying and repairing issues with the structure of the tower itself.

Teamwork: Tower technicians often work in teams with other technicians and engineers. They may also work with other construction workers on the job site. Being able to work well with others is an important skill for a tower technician.

Organization: Tower technicians must be able to organize their work and their tools to ensure they complete their tasks in a timely manner. This can include keeping track of paperwork, maintaining a clean work space and keeping track of tools and equipment. Organization can also help technicians ensure they are working safely and that they are following all safety protocols.

Tower Technician Work Environment

Tower technicians work outdoors, often in inclement weather, to maintain and repair communications towers. They must be able to climb the towers, which can be as tall as 2,000 feet, and work on small platforms or catwalks. The work can be physically demanding, and tower technicians must be able to lift heavy equipment and materials and work in awkward positions. They also must be able to work safely and follow all safety regulations. Tower technicians typically work 40 hours per week, but they may have to work overtime, weekends, and holidays to complete repairs or maintenance.

Tower Technician Trends

Here are three trends influencing how tower technicians work. Tower technicians will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

More Focus on Preventative Maintenance

As technology becomes more complex, businesses are placing a greater emphasis on preventive maintenance. This means that technicians will need to be able to identify and fix problems before they become too serious.

Tower technicians can capitalize on this trend by becoming certified in preventive maintenance services. This will allow them to provide valuable services to businesses and help them stay up and running.

More Use of Robots and Automation

The telecommunications industry is increasingly using robots and automation to perform tasks that were once done by humans. This is because robots and automation can perform tasks more quickly and efficiently than humans can.

As robots and automation become more common in the telecommunications industry, tower technicians will need to learn how to work with these machines. This includes learning how to install, maintain, and repair robots and automation systems.

Greater Demand for Wireless Infrastructure

The wireless infrastructure market is growing rapidly as more and more people rely on mobile devices for communication and entertainment. As a result, tower technicians are in high demand to install, maintain, and repair wireless networks.

Tower technicians who are able to specialize in wireless infrastructure will be especially valuable in the coming years as more and more businesses and homeowners turn to wireless networks for their communications needs.

How to Become a Tower Technician

A career as a tower technician can be both rewarding and lucrative. It’s important to start off on the right foot by getting certified in your field. This will show employers that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to do the job safely and effectively.

You should also stay up-to-date on the latest technologies and trends in the industry. This will help you stand out from other candidates and make you more marketable when looking for new jobs. Additionally, it’s important to build relationships with other professionals in the industry. This will allow you to learn from their experiences and get advice on how to succeed in this competitive field.

Advancement Prospects

There are many ways to advance your career as a tower technician. One way is to move up within your current company. You may start out as a ground technician and be promoted to lead technician or supervisor. You can also advance your career by becoming a project manager. As a project manager, you would be responsible for overseeing the construction of new towers or the maintenance of existing ones.

Another way to advance your career is to move to a different company. You may be able to find a company that specializes in the type of work you are interested in, such as cell phone towers or wind turbines. You can also look for a company that is located in a area that you are interested in, such as the mountains or the beach.

You can also advance your career by getting certified. There are many different certification programs available, such as the Certified Broadcast Engineer program offered by the Society of Broadcast Engineers. By becoming certified, you will be able to show potential employers that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to be a successful tower technician.

Tower Technician Job Description Example

At [CompanyX], we provide the critical link between people and the world around them. As a tower technician, you will play a key role in our company by installing and maintaining our cell towers. This is a highly technical position that requires a high level of skill and experience. The ideal candidate will have experience working with cell towers, as well as a strong understanding of electrical systems. He or she will be able to work independently and be comfortable working at heights.

As a tower technician, you will be responsible for the installation, maintenance, and repair of cell towers. This will include climbing the towers to inspect and repair equipment, as well as working with other technicians to install new equipment. You will also be responsible for keeping accurate records of your work.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Inspects, repairs, and maintains wireless towers and related equipment to ensure optimal performance
• Conducts regular maintenance checks on all tower equipment, including but not limited to: ladders, batteries, generators, grounding systems, and safety devices
• Keeps accurate records of all maintenance activities, documenting any issues or concerns for further review
• Responds to emergency repair requests in a timely manner, working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible
• Coordinates with other technicians and engineers as needed to complete complex repairs or installations
• Assists in the installation of new equipment as needed, following all safety protocols
• Maintains a clean and organized work area, both on the ground and on the tower
• Adheres to all company safety policies and procedures while working on towers
• Wears proper personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times while working on or near towers
• Completes all required training courses in a timely manner
• Keeps up to date on industry news and developments, sharing relevant information with team members as appropriate
• Performs other duties as assigned

Required Skills and Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid driver’s license with clean driving record
• Able to lift 50 lbs. unassisted and 100 lbs. assisted
• Able to work at heights of up to 500 feet
• Comfortable working in all weather conditions
• Willingness to travel as needed

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or technical training in electronics, telecommunications, or related field
• 2+ years experience in the telecommunications industry
• Experience working on cell towers
• OSHA 10-hour certification
• First Aid/CPR certification