Cell tower technicians in Delaware are an important factor in helping the state’s citizens stay connected with the rest of the world.
The cell companies may provide the technology necessary for cell service, but it is the brave cell tower technician who climbs to heights reaching above most treetops to install the necessary equipment, make sure it is regularly maintained, and make sure the equipment is quickly repaired if something, such as Delaware’s winter weather, causes it to fail.
Let’s see what these individuals must do to get this position.
Article Table of Contents
- 1 Steps to Become a Cell Tower Technician in Delaware
- 2 Licensing Requirements to Become a Cell Tower Technician in Delaware
- 3 Cell Tower Technician Programs in Delaware
- 4 How Much Does a Cell Tower Technician in Delaware Get Paid?
- 5 Frequently Asked Questions
- 5.1 What is a positive factor of being a cell tower technician in Delaware?
- 5.2 Do cell tower technicians in Delaware ever make it a career?
- 5.3 Do I need a college degree to become a cell tower technician in Delaware?
- 5.4 What kind of benefits do cell tower technicians in Delaware get?
- 5.5 How much money does a cell tower technician in Delaware make?
Steps to Become a Cell Tower Technician in Delaware
1. Finish High School
Getting your GED or high school diploma is necessary if you are to work as a cell tower technician.
Concentrate on getting involved with clubs or classes in telecommunications and electricity.
During this time, work towards getting your driver’s license and getting certified in CPR and First Aid.
It wouldn’t hurt to look for a mentor who is currently working as a cell tower technician or in telecommunications.
2. Explore Educational Opportunities
Search online for opportunities to hone your skills and work toward certifications.
There are numerous online opportunities.
You may also wish to look into getting a college degree in either Electricity or Telecommunications.
You can also find certificate programs in these two areas at some local trade schools.
Volunteer with search organizations or fire departments to get more necessary skills to help you.
Finally, reach out to the cell companies themselves and ask if they have any training options available.
3. Get Certifications
Getting your certifications will require a bit of learning and sometimes written tests.
These are often able to be done online at the links below.
The more certifications you get, the greater your chances of landing a job you really want.
If a company offers training, they may also be willing to cover the cost of any certifications.
Don’t hesitate to ask.
4. Pass Background and Drug Screening
Cell companies very often need to be bonded, even though employees may not need to be.
For this reason, the companies don’t want to jeopardize their bondability and will do background checks on possible employees to make sure they don’t have felonies in their background.
These can include violent crimes, felony theft, and crimes of moral turpitude.
Drug use is necessary to detect. Individuals who test positive for drugs put both themselves and their coworkers at risk.
The job of a cell tower technician is one that requires everyone to be at the top of their game in attention to safety.
5. Find a Position
Finding a position as a cell tower technician can take numerous paths.
The first thing is to make sure your resume is up-to-date.
You can call various cell companies and ask if they will accept mailed resumes.
If so, send out as many as you can.
Many companies use placement agencies.
Register with as many of these as you can find that place telecommunication workers.
Post your resume on all job boards and also check job boards daily for any openings.
Finally, join forums related to cell tower technicians.
This will help you network.
6. Continue Learning
As the cell industry changes and grows daily, so must those who work with the technology.
This includes cell tower technicians.
Take every opportunity that you can to increase your skills.
Keep growing and learning so that your skills remain relevant to the field.
Licensing Requirements to Become a Cell Tower Technician in Delaware
Delaware cell tower technicians are subject to the regulations set down by the federal government.
In addition, individual employers may have their own requirements.
In general, some combination of the following is going to be needed.
It helps increase your chances of having all the following items.
- OSHA 10 or 30 safety certification. The ten-hour course is for entry-level positions, and the thirty-hour one is for those who wish to rise in the ranks and become supervisors or instructors.
- National Wireless Safety Alliance (NATE) certificates. These are TTT1 and TTT2 certifications, depending on the job level. They also offer safe climbing courses and rescue certification.
- Competent Climber and Rescuer Certification
- Radio frequency (RF) safety certification. This lets employers know you understand the dangers of radiofrequency and how to work safely with it.
- CPR and First Aid training.
- A valid driver’s license.
Cell Tower Technician Programs in Delaware
There are no specific cell tower technician programs in Delaware.
For those looking to get into the field, taking college or trade school classes in telecommunications or electricity can help.
Volunteering with fire departments can also benefit you.
Many cell companies themselves offer training.
Reaching out either by phone or on individual websites will give you information about whether training is offered at a particular place.
There are also several online learning opportunities for learning.
The websites for certifications can help direct you further in that regard.
How Much Does a Cell Tower Technician in Delaware Get Paid?
Delaware cell tower technicians make an average of $49,202 annually.
This breaks down to $23.65 an hour.
This figure can change depending on how much overtime a technician works, where they work, and how long they have been in this position.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wilmington | $63,105 |
| Dover | $60,689 |
| Newark | $60,025 |
| Middletown | $57,792 |
| Bear | $56,695 |
| Glasgow | $60,516 |
| Milford | $56,799 |
| Hockessin | $55,009 |
| Smyrna | $59,276 |
| Brookside | $67,285 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a positive factor of being a cell tower technician in Delaware?
A positive factor of being a cell tower technician in Delaware is that you have the insurance that your position is a secure one, despite all the changes in society today.
In fact, the more cell technology changes, the more positions there are for cell tower technicians.
Do cell tower technicians in Delaware ever make it a career?
Yes, many cell tower technicians in Delaware move up the ranks and change positions as they get older and their physical abilities change.
But it is not unusual to see people working for the same company, or at least in the industry, for twenty or thirty years.
Do I need a college degree to become a cell tower technician in Delaware?
No, you do not need a college degree to become a cell tower technician in Delaware.
If you want to move into management or training one day, a degree would help, but that is something you can decide at a later date if you are not sure from the start.
What kind of benefits do cell tower technicians in Delaware get?
Cell tower technicians in Delaware get a varied amount of benefits depending on what company they work for.
The minimum is life insurance, health insurance, paid holidays and vacations, and possibly a retirement plan.
How much money does a cell tower technician in Delaware make?
Delaware cell tower technicians make an average of $49,202 annually.
This breaks down to $23.65 an hour.
This figure can change depending on how much overtime a technician works, where they work, and how long they have been in this position.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Cell Tower Technician
