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Tower technicians are technical professionals who work at the top of communication towers to ensure they are operating efficiently and safely.
The daily role requires technicians to climb tall towers and install, maintain, or repair the equipment.
These behind-the-scenes specialists ensure your phone and internet remain connected, regardless of the weather.
A major portion of tower technician training is around safety and learning the next steps in case of an emergency.
Technicians must wear special climbing gear to protect themselves and have special tools for high-altitude repair.
Whether you are interested in ensuring the efficiency of communications on top of buildings in Portland or enjoying the beautiful views from atop towers near the Basque, this is a growing field with plenty of opportunities.
If you’re interested in a career as a cell tower technician in Oregon, keep reading!
Article Table of Contents
Steps to Become a Cell Tower Technician in Oregon
Several steps on your cell tower technician career path must be completed before entering the workforce.
Although these are the steps to become a cell tower technician, if you have these skills, you can work in other industries that require climbers, like broadcasting and fiber optics.
The steps to become a cell tower technician in Oregon include:
Step One: Meet the Minimum Education Requirements
Like with all states, Oregon requires a high school diploma to become a cell tower technician.
Those who are currently in high school and know they want to enter this field should take math- and science-focused classes, as well as electrical- and mechanical-related coursework.
This will help build the technical foundation that’s required for climbers.
Step Two: Enter a Climber Training Program or Apprenticeship
Once you have met the minimum educational requirement, it’s important to find a climber training program that meets your availability and budget.
These programs can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on the program length, location, and curriculum.
All programs are heavily focused on safety, but also teach students the basics of different types of systems, repair, installation, and tower equipment maintenance.
As an alternative, you can seek out an apprenticeship where you will be paid for the work and gain valuable firsthand experience in working with an industry professional.
This also offers an excellent opportunity to show the employer you have the skills, and they can hire you full-time at the end of the apprenticeship.
Step Three: Become Certified
The best cell tower technician training programs provide several safety and basic certifications from recognized organizations, like OSHA, which most employers require for hiring.
For those in programs that do not offer these certifications, the training will prepare you to sit for the examinations after graduation.
Step Four: Search for Jobs
Once you have gained all the necessary education and certification, it’s time to search for job openings in your local area of Oregon.
In addition to telecommunications, you can also search for positions in the broadcasting industry, as the skills are applicable.
Always tailor your resume to highlight the most relevant experience and skills.
Remember, cell tower technicians travel extensively to sites that need installation, repair, or maintenance, so while you will be based out of a specific area of Oregon, you may not spend most of your time in this location.
Step Five: Partake in Continued Learning
After you have found a job and gained some experience, it’s beneficial to continue your education path, especially since new technologies are regularly launched.
Learning about them and getting ahead of the competition can make you more marketable for a management position or if you are planning to look for another job.
Countless classes at vocational schools teach learners about the latest safety practices and technologies.
Also, attending workshops can help you network while learning new skills to refine your craft!
Licensing Requirements to Become
Like in most other states, Oregon doesn’t require any licensure requirements to enter the workforce.
Employers, on the other hand, want candidates with safety certifications that are earned through a training program or during an apprenticeship.
These include:
- Fall Protection and Rescue – Fall Protection and Rescue was developed to teach those working at high altitudes on a tower how to act during an emergency.
- First Aid and CPR – This certificate proves that graduates have the skills and knowledge to aid in an emergency while on the job.
- OSHA 10/30 – OSHA is a government-issued training and certification that teaches workplace safety. Entry-level candidates are typically certified in the 10-hour course, with the 30-hour course created for more advanced professionals.
- RF Safety Certification – The RF Safety Certification proves to employers that candidates know the safety risks when working around radio frequency equipment and what to do in an emergency.
Cell Tower Technician Programs in Oregon
NATE Tower Climber Training
NATE is considered one of the top training programs and tower technician organizations in the United States.
The program is available through the NATE Tower Climber Training Exchange, which provides graduates with OSHA certifications, fall protection, and rescue training.
PCI Training
PCI Training is a national training institute offering a Tower Technician training program that results in the certifications employers seek, including Telecommunication Tower Technician I, First Aid and CPR, OSHA-10, and climbing certification.
For students who need flexibility, PCI Training is an excellent option since the conceptual coursework is entirely online.
At the end of the program is a 10-day in-person training in Kansas City that teaches students basic climbing skills and equipment using a mock telecommunications tower.
The cost of firsthand training is built into the tuition.
Tower Safety
The Tower Safety training program has several online courses for those who wish to brush up on their skills, and entire programs that result in cell tower certifications offered by OSHA, ASME, and ANSI.
The focus of their coursework is to go beyond the basics into equipment rigging and tower climbing techniques, with an overshadowing safety element in each class.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| NATE Tower Technician Certification Program | 8 Second Street SE, Watertown, SD 57201. |
| Pinnacle Career Institute | 11500 N Ambassador Dr Suite 221, Kansas City, MO 64153, United States |
| Tower Safety | 3212 S. 36th Street Phoenix, AZ 85040 |
Salary
The U.S. median annual salary is $73,716, with pay ranging from $59,364 to $89,876.
Comparatively, in Oregon, a cell tower technician can expect to make a minimum of $62,201 with a median above the national average at $77,239, and a high pay, for those with extensive experience, of $94,172.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Eugene | $63,378 |
| Salem | $51,045 |
| Gresham | $53,847 |
| Hillsboro | $58,356 |
| Bend | $68,893 |
| Beaverton | $53,288 |
| Medford | $59,535 |
| Springfield | $42,130 |
| Portland | $60,867 |
| Corvallis | $44,718 |
Salary by Metro Area in Oregon
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bend, OR | 30 | $64,410 | $30.97 | $99,740 | $48,530 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 300 | $65,900 | $31.68 | $100,860 | $39,710 |
| Salem, OR | 70 | $63,790 | $30.67 | $100,690 | $47,240 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are cell tower technicians in demand in Oregon?
Due to the growth of wireless networks and technology, cell tower technicians are in demand in Oregon and across the United States.
In addition to supporting mobile networks, many telecommunications companies are also offering home internet that operates through local cellular towers, thus further increasing reliance on wireless technology and cell tower technicians to install, repair, and maintain this infrastructure.
Do cell tower technicians make more money in Oregon for higher climbs?
There is no pay increase for taller towers.
Cell tower technicians in Oregon make the same amount of money, whether they climb 200 feet or 2,000 feet.
Payment is more focused on the type of job, such as maintenance, tower installation, or changing light bulbs, the specific company and project, location, experience, and specialty.
With some more specialized jobs, danger pay may be added to the hourly rate where the risk of an injury is higher.
What are the physical requirements for an Oregon-based tower technician?
While you need excellent technical skills to be successful, there is an extensive physical element to the career.
You must have real stamina and strength to pull yourself and your gear up structures that are hundreds of feet tall.
What is the typical amount of time it takes to become a tower technician in Oregon?
The process to become a tower technician in Oregon can take anywhere from a few months to one year, depending on the path.
Most technicians begin with a high school diploma and finish an apprenticeship or short-term vocational program that requires only a few months’ commitment.
Others, who are focused on leading teams in the future, may work towards an associate degree, which takes two years.
Also, once entering the workforce, on-the-job training can take up to one year.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Cell Tower Technician
Cell Tower Technician by State