How to Become a Cell Tower Technician in West Virginia

Start a new career that offers the freedom of working outdoors, but that has the demands of an important, growing industry.

Consider becoming a cell tower technician who works in West Virginia to gain basic job skills, technical expertise, and leadership skills.

Pinnacle Career Institute says that although the job has physical demands, tower technicians who stick with it often have excellent career growth.

Future tower technicians in West Virginia who complete a training program and earn certifications learn about tower climbing, installing, maintaining, and repairing towers, antennas, cables, and other equipment.

They gain other knowledge and skills based on the latest technologies.

Learning how to become a tower technician in West Virginia requires knowing about the path that leads to working in the industry.

Following the steps can lead to having the skills for entry-level cell tower technician jobs in West Virginia.

Steps to Become a Cell Tower Technician in West Virginia

Learning the steps to becoming a cell tower technician in West Virginia helps people to know how to gain the skills and knowledge that they need for entry-level jobs that can lead to great career opportunities.

Step 1: Complete High School

Some high school students may already want to work as cell tower technicians.

The job, sometimes called tower technician or tower climber, can help students understand that finishing high school can lead to excellent job opportunities.

Take classes that can help with a tower technician career in West Virginia.

Some courses to take include physics, math, electronics, maintenance, or engineering classes.

People in West Virginia who earn a GED can also become tower technicians.

Step 2: Learn the Skills that Cell Tower Technicians Need

Knowing the skills that cell tower technicians need can help people decide if this is the right career for them.

It can also help people to plan when thinking about the next steps that will help them in their tower climber technician goals.

Working in various weather conditions, gaining the ability to climb towers, complying with safety regulations, and having the physical ability to perform other job duties are required to work in this career.

Step 3: Complete a Cell Tower Technician Training Program

West Virginia does not have many in-person cell tower technician training programs.

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

Some companies have staff who travel to other states to offer short-term training programs.

Look at cell tower technician training sites.

If they do not mention having training programs in West Virginia, click on their calendar.

Look at the schedule for the next several months to see if they offer training sessions in West Virginia.

Many people complete online training courses.

Make sure that you learn whether the training is an entire program or individual courses.

Completing an online cell tower technician training program gives trainees the same career opportunities as people who complete in-person training.

Step 4: Earn Certifications

Earning the certifications that cell tower technicians need to have is important for getting hired and for career advancement.

Completing other certifications may help job applicants have an edge over other applicants.

Complete the CPR and First Aid certification and the OSHA-10 certification.

Some other certifications that trainees should earn include the Telecommunications Tower Technician I and Telecommunications Tower Technician II certifications, RF Awareness, Fall Prevention and Safety certification, and the Tower Climbing and Safety Rescue certification.

Step 5: Apply for Jobs

People who enroll in West Virginia cell tower technician training programs should start applying for jobs before they finish their training.

Some employers may hire people who are still working on their training and certifications.

Do not apply for jobs if you do not qualify for them.

Apply for entry-level jobs, not supervisor jobs.

Licensing Requirements to Become a Cell Tower Technician in West Virginia

West Virginia does not have licensing requirements for cell tower technicians.

People must meet the training and certification requirements for working in the industry.

Cell Tower Technician Programs in West Virginia

West Virginia does not have many in-person training programs.

Look for other options if you cannot find in-person programs.

Elevation Advancements

Start working towards a cell tower technician career by enrolling in the Tower Climbing Certification and Training Program at Elevated Advancements.

The program at the Buckhannon, West Virginia, company focuses on safety, real-world applications, and hands-on experiences.

Trainees gain the knowledge and skills that they need to become cell tower technicians.

Learn about the equipment that West Virginia tower climbers use, and how to safely use it.

Learn about safe climbing techniques, industry hazards, RF awareness, and rescue procedures.

Some certifications that trainees may earn include the First Aid and CPR certification, Tower Climbing and Rescue certification, the RF Safety Awareness, and the Competent Climber certification.

Contact Elevation Advancements for cost information.

Pinnacle Career Institute

Pinnacle Career Institute offers the Online Tower Technician program.

People who want to work in West Virginia can enroll in the program at the institute and learn the same things that people learn when they complete an in-person training program.

Trainees learn the basic knowledge, skills, and equipment that they need for their careers.

They learn about the different types of towers, the different types of rigging equipment, and how to mount, dismount, and weatherproof cell tower equipment.

They also earn their OSHA-10 certification and their CPR and First Aid certifications.

The 30-week program includes a 10-day residential in-person training in Kansas City, Missouri.

The institute arranges transportation and lodging.

The costs are included in the tuition.

Tuition is $17,598, which includes training, materials, fees, and certifications.

Tower Safety

Tower Safety has several online courses that can help people who want to become cell tower technicians.

The Tower Safety Training Online courses give West Virginia cell tower technician trainees the same knowledge and skills that they would receive if they completed the course in an in-person format.

One course that the company offers is the Cell Tower Inspection course.

It is an introductory course that helps people gain an overall perspective of the wireless profession.

Learn about customers’ needs, about audit forms, and other industry knowledge.

Some other courses that help people get the training that they need to become cell tower technicians are the Capstan Hoist course, the RF Awareness course, and the OSHA-10 Certification course.

The cost is based on individual courses.

Salary

The average annual salary for cell tower technicians in West Virginia is $79,817.

The salary for tower technicians can vary, based on things like training, certifications, and experience.

One other thing that affects the salary that tower technicians earn is the location where they work.

Cell tower technicians who work in Harpers Ferry, WV, earn an average annual salary of $97,695.

They earn an average annual salary of $81,882 in Flemington.

Cell Tower Technician by State