How to Become a Cell Tower Technician:
The Definitive Guide

Job Description: What Does a Cell Tower Technician Do?

A cell tower technician is also called a tower technician or a telecommunications tower technician.

They combine athletics and mechanical skill, climbing telecommunication towers to install, maintain, and repair wireless communication equipment.

They work for cellular companies, radio and television broadcast companies, construction firms, and government agencies.

Safety is a primary goal for tower technicians as they often work high above the ground.

Cell towers range in height from 50 feet for short cells to an average tower height of 400 feet. There are even some towers in the United States that reach 2,000 feet tall – that’s equivalent to the 200th floor of a skyscraper and takes five hours to climb to the top.

It’s no wonder that cell tower technicians are a vital part of keeping the world connected.

Duties

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Cell Tower Technician Salary: How Much Does It Pay?

The entry-level salary for a cell tower technician, also known as a telecommunications tower technician, is $59,413 annually.

The average hourly wage is $35.

An experienced communications tower technician with additional certifications and advanced climbing skills may earn well past $89,893 annualy.

Cell tower technician pay is also regionally dependent.

Some of the highest hourly rates, an estimated $46 per hour, can be found in Wisconsin and Wyoming, with expansive pay benefits found in California.

• Annually
• Monthly
• Hourly

* Salary information based on the May 2024 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey. Conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

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How to Become A Cell Tower Technician: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 11. Earn a High School Diploma or GED

A high school diploma or GED equivalent is the minimum education requirement for cell tower technicians.

A diploma is also a standard requirement for vocational or specialized training and certification.

Additional qualifications include:

• Be a minimum of 18 years old.
• Have a valid state driver’s license with a clean driving record.
• College-level courses in math, materials science, and electronics are a plus.

Some states require:

• Background checks
• State residency
• Ability to pass a drug exam

Step 22. Attend a specialized training program

Training to become a cell tower technician ranges from 30 to 300 hrs.

It covers climbing safety, rigging, and telecommunication fundamentals.

The two main entry-level courses are Broadband Essentials and Telecommunication Tower-I.

Both courses provide a strong foundation in cell tower safety, construction, installation, and maintenance.

Step 33. Work as an apprentice Cell Tower Technician

Apprenticeship is not a requirement to achieve certification.

Instead, it is the first step — working as a cell tower technician and gaining hands-on experience — as training continues.

An apprentice cell tower technician learns to build, climb, install, and maintain telecommunication towers. They are always under the supervision of experienced technicians.

Key responsibilities of a cell tower technician apprentice include:

• Assist with tower setup, maintenance, and repairs.
• Set up rigging and climb towers to troubleshoot under supervision.
• Install antennas and run fiber optic cables.
• Observe safety protocols while working at heights.

Step 44. Earn a certification as a Cell Tower Technician

One or more certifications are essential to working as a cell tower technician, depending on the location.

Generally, there are three basic steps to achieve and keep cell tower technician certification:

Research specific state or employer requirements.

Attend a reputable training course.

Register for and pass a level-specific exam through the training institution or national association.

Maintain a certification through continuing education and experience.

The most recognized telecommunications-specific certification is from the National Wireless Safety Alliance (NWSA).

This certification provides the basic Telecommunications Tower Technician 1 (TTT-1) qualification.

The NWSA also requires candidates to pass an exam to be eligible for entry-level work.

Additionally, the NWSA offers certification at the TTT-II and TTT-III levels.

Each certification level builds on previously learned skills, advancing toward job management and supervisory positions.

• Tower Technician I
• Tower Technician II
• Tower Technician III

Tower Safety is an independent education company that provides training and certifications for telecommunication climbers and tower rescue techniques.

Coursework and certifications offered include:

• Competent rigger
• Flagger certification training
• OSHA, health and safety training
• Tower safety
• Cell tower training
• Tower ropes and rigging

A General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL) is required by several states, including Texas, to work as a telecommunication tower technician who operates, aligns, and repairs broadband equipment.

The licenses are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

To qualify for a GROL license, a candidate must:

• Be a legal resident of the United States.
• Be conversational in English.
• Apply and pay a $35 application fee
• Pass both exams: Elements 1 and 3

Safety and rescue training courses and certifications help a cell tower technician thrive, including:

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10/30
• AED/CPR
• Advanced First Aid

Employers also provide climbing experience and fall protection training, which is essential when working at heights.

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Cell Tower Technician Education Requirements

Cell tower technician education requirements differ by state, although there are a few standard requirements, such as physical ability and comfort with heights.

Because of this variety in work and training, research into a particular state’s requirements is highly recommended.

There are no minimum hourly training requirements to work as a cell tower technician.

Instead, job-specific training programs and certifications are the industry standard.

These courses range from 30 to 300 hours, depending on the technical level, employer requirements, and location.

Employers offer cell tower technician programs through on-the-job training.

However, if choosing to train before looking for work, these programs can be found at community or vocational colleges or through state agencies.

The two most common cell tower training courses are the Broadband Essentials class and the Telecommunication Tower Technician I program.

BROADBAND ESSENTIALS CLASS

This 32-hour program provides basic education and skills to work as a cell tower technician.

Coursework includes:

• Inspection, Care, and Use of Personal Protective Equipment
• OSHA 10/30
• First Aid/CPR/Bloodborne Pathogens
• Hazard Assessment and Communication
• Underground Utility Location
• Reading Construction Blueprints and Drawings
• Department of Transportation Standards
• Electrical Safety and Stray Voltage Detection
• Material Handling and Storage
• Responding to Emergency Situations

TELECOMMUNICATIONS TOWER TECHNICIAN TRAINING PROGRAM

This 96-hour, multi-week program offers more in-depth training in:

• Hazard Assessment and Communication
• RF Assessment and Exposure
• Competent Climber
• Competent Rescue
• Basic Rigging Principles
• Exothermic Welding
• Line Support and Weather Proofing

If not offered in the basic program, OSHA safety courses can be taken online through approved platforms.

Some Red Cross First Aid courses are available online; however, Basic and Advanced CPR and AED training are in-person courses.

Video About The Career

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Licensing and Certification

Certification

The certification process is usually straightforward, but it may take time and diligence.

Cell Tower Technicians earn their specific certification by attending and passing a skill-specific course and by applying for and passing exams that demonstrate a general understanding and hands-on knowledge of the required skills.

Certification exams typically cover a range of topics, including tower safety, installation techniques, telecommunications, and electrical systems.

For cell tower or telecommunication tower technicians, the NWSA is the primary certifying body.

Also, a key player is the Telecommunications Industry Alliance (TIA). While this membership organization is not a certifying body, it does set the industry standards and offers coursework in advanced broadband analysis.

Licensing

No states require cell tower technician licensing.

Instead, the profession is guided by industry standards, stringent training requirements, and certifications.

Average Training Program Duration: 0-6 Months

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Job Outlook: HIGH

The job outlook for cell tower technicians is highly positive, with immediate demand driven by 5G wireless growth and the possibility of 6G in the near future.

Also adding to the need for cell tower technicians is the advancing development of AI.

An increased need for robust communication networks that support space exploration and streaming services is also a driving factor.

This strong need for reliable telecommunications infrastructure is leading to a projected faster-than-average job growth in cell tower technician positions, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Statistics show that cell tower technician positions are expected to increase by 9% through 2034, adding an estimated 1,200 jobs.

This robust growth is considered faster than the average growth for all occupations.

Employment Growth Projection: 9%

That's a higher than average projected growth of 1,000 jobs.

Cell Tower Technician: Interest Over Time

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Should You Become A Cell Tower Technician?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How long do you have to go to school to become a Cell Tower Technician?

Specialized courses to become a cell tower technician range from 30 to 100 hours of training, required for entry-level work.

A two- or four-year college degree is not required, but a high school diploma or equivalent is required.

Q. How much money does a Cell Tower Technician make a year?

The entry-level salary for a trained cell tower technician is an estimated $54,000 annually.

The national average, according to Salary.com, is $73,742 per year or $35 per hour.

Experienced cell tower technicians with advanced skills earn well past $89,893 annually.

Hazard pay and travel bonuses are common for a cell tower technician.

Q. What skills do you need to have to be a Cell Tower Technician?

Skills that are valuable to a cell tower technician include physical strength and stamina, as well as the ability to work at heights, since some towers are 2,000 feet high (200 stories).

Additional personal skills include high motivation, teamwork, independence, and the ability to think critically under stress.

Q. Are Cell Tower Technicians in high demand?

Cell tower technicians are in high demand.

The profession is growing at a +9% rate with a conservative estimate of 1,200 jobs to be added in the coming years.

The growth is fueled by the expansion of AI, 5G networks, and space exploration.

Q. What kind of education do you need to be a Cell Tower Technician?

Cell tower technicians need to be trained and certified in highly specific areas, including installation, maintenance, and repair of cell towers.

They are also taught advanced rigging, climbing, rescue, and safety skills.

Employers and vocational schools offer these courses.

A four-year degree is not required, but knowledge of construction, mathematics, electrical sciences, and mechanics is beneficial.

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Cell Tower Technician Information by State

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