How to Become a Cell Tower Technician in Iowa

Future cell tower technicians in Iowa need to complete training and certifications to gain the knowledge and skills needed for entry-level jobs.

Cell tower technicians enjoy the adventure and freedom of their career, but also work hard to perform their job duties.

Tower technicians in Iowa install, repair, and upgrade towers.

They perform job duties and use equipment that requires physical strength and stamina.

Cell tower technicians learn to become comfortable working at heights during their training program.

They also earn certifications.

Learning how to become a cell tower technician in Iowa requires understanding the steps and following them to start your career and pursue career advancement opportunities.

Steps to Become a Cell Tower Technician in Iowa

Future cell tower technicians need to follow the steps to become tower technicians.

These steps provide the path to having a rewarding career as a tower technician.

Step 1: Complete your High School Education

Cell tower technicians who work in Iowa need to have a minimum of a high school education.

Take courses that may help you when you start training and when you start working as a tower technician.

Take extra courses in physics and math.

Take any high school courses in electronics, maintenance, or engineering that interest you.

You can also work as an Iowa cell tower technician if you have a GED.

Step 2: Gain Some Experience

You do not have to wait until you complete your training to start working at jobs that offer knowledge and skills that can help you once you complete an Iowa training program.

Consider working at a company where you can perform any maintenance, electronics, or construction work.

These types of jobs can help you gain some of the entry-level skills that you need to become a tower technician.

Step 3: Complete an Iowa Cell Tower Technician Training Program

Iowa does not have in-person cell tower technician training programs.

Several options help future cell tower technicians get the training that they need to start their careers.

Some companies that offer cell tower training programs travel to other states outside the location of their facility.

Check the calendars on the sites of cell tower training facilities to see if they have any future training courses or programs in Iowa.

These types of programs are usually short-term programs.

The online tower technician training programs provide the same knowledge and skills that you would have if you completed an in-person Iowa cell tower technician program.

Several companies offer online training.

Make sure that you learn if the training is for a tower technician program or if you must pay for each course.

Step 4: Earn Certifications

Cell tower technicians who work in Iowa need to earn various industry-related certifications.

Some certifications are often offered as part of the tower technician training program.

Complete the CPR and First Aid certification.

This certification, along with the OSHA-10 certification, may be offered during training, or they may be offered as separate courses.

Some other certifications that employers may require include the RF Awareness certification, the Telecommunications Tower Technician I and the Telecommunications Tower Technician II certifications, and the Fall Protection Safety and rescue certification.

Earning other certifications can help you have an edge over other Iowa cell tower technician job applicants.

Step 5: Get Hired

Start looking for cell tower technician jobs that are available in Iowa before you complete a training program.

Looking for a job before you complete the training may help you get hired faster than future tower technicians who wait until after they complete their training to start looking for a job.

Some companies offer training and may help you earn industry-related certifications.

Licensing Requirements to Become a Cell Tower Technician in Iowa

There are no industry-related licensing requirements to work as a cell tower technician in Iowa.

You need to have a valid driver’s license.

You also need to complete the certifications and training requirements.

Cell Tower Technician Programs in Iowa

Iowa does not have any in-person cell tower technician training programs.

Future cell tower technicians who want to work in Iowa have some other options available to them.

Complete an online cell tower technician training program.

Online tower technician courses and programs give you the same knowledge and skills that you would get in an in-person training program.

Check online programs that are offered by various companies to find one that best meets your career goals.

Some online programs offer opportunities to earn your certifications.

Look for programs that are offered as short-term or bootcamp programs.

These types of programs are offered by companies that have staff who travel to various locations to offer cell tower technician training and certifications.

Comtrain

Comtrain offers several online courses for future cell tower technicians.

The courses that are offered online give you the same knowledge that you would gain if you enrolled in the in-person courses.

Some courses that prepare future tower technicians in Iowa include Intro to Telecom, Hazard Awareness for Telecom Sites, Intro to Climbing and Rescue, and Capstan Hoist Operations.

The cost is determined by each course.

Tower Safety

Start your cell tower technician training by enrolling in online training courses that are offered by Tower Safety.

The company says that its online certification programs deliver high-quality training and best practices in the industry.

Complete the OSHA-10 certification. Enroll in the RF Awareness certification course, the Bloodborne Pathogens course, the National Wireless Safety Alliance (NWSA) TTT-I and the TTT-2 Prep Courses. Consider earning the Lockout/Tagout certification and the Capstan Hoist Operator certification.

The company prices each course separately.

Pinnacle Career Institute

Pinnacle Career Institute has a 30-week Online Tower Technician program.

The program includes a required 10-day in-person training in Kansas City, Missouri.

Pinnacle arranges air travel and lodging for trainees.

The program prepares students to become entry-level cell tower technicians.

Students who want to work as Iowa cell tower technicians learn the types of equipment and ropes that are used by tower technicians.

They learn about the different types of towers, how to install, maintain, and troubleshoot cell towers and antenna systems.

Earn certifications that help you start your tower technician career in Iowa.

Some certifications offered by Pinnacle include OSHA-10, CPR and First Aid, and the Telecommunications Tower Technician I certification.

The tuition is $17,598.

The tuition includes training, fees, and the residential component of the program.

Salary

Cell tower technicians who work in Iowa earn an average annual salary of $83,729.

Tower technicians may earn a higher salary when they have experience and certifications.

Check for cities that offer higher average salaries compared to other cities in the state.

One example is that cell tower technicians who work in Grafton earn an average salary of $86,922, while cell tower technicians who work in Carson earn an average of $81,769.

Cell Tower Technician by State