How to Become a Tower Technician in Minnesota (2026)
Minnesota employs about 80 tower technicians earning a median $76,960 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025; proxy category “Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers”). Most tower technicians train through an approved program before entering the field in Minnesota.
Compare Tower Technician Schools in Minnesota
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emily Griffith Technical College | 74.9 | Contact school for pricing | $45,935 | 97% | — | 702 mi |
| 2 | Southeast Technical College | 69.7 | $7,650 | $53,289 | 59% | Yes* | 205 mi |
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| 3 | Northwood Technical College | 66.6 | $4,926 in-state / $7,169 out-of-state | $49,705 | 56% | Yes* | 83 mi |
| 4 | Lake Superior College | 61.0 | $5,785 | $57,665 | 42% | Yes* | 117 mi |
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| 5 | Lake Land College | 53.4 | $4,415 in-state / $14,301 out-of-state | $48,594 | 58% | — | 484 mi |
| 6 | Milwaukee Area Technical College | 52.5 | $5,184 in-state / $7,427 out-of-state | $52,346 | 25% | Yes* | 316 mi |
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| 7 | Des Moines Area Community College | 50.0 | $5,790 in-state / $6,690 out-of-state | $51,817 | 39% | Yes* | 252 mi |
| 8 | Westmoreland County Community College | 49.1 | $6,018 in-state / $14,424 out-of-state | $49,187 | 31% | Yes* | 785 mi |
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| 9 | Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College | 48.1 | $4,728 in-state / $6,432 out-of-state | $42,469 | 47% | Yes* | 793 mi |
| 10 | Cuyahoga Community College District | 47.6 | $3,249 in-state / $7,249 out-of-state | $49,698 | 31% | Yes* | 647 mi |
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Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Minnesota employs approximately 80 workers in the related “Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers” category (SOC 49-2021), with a median annual wage of $76,960 1. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 8.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,200 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Tower Technician in Minnesota, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
A note on salary data: The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not track tower technician salaries as a separate category. The wage figures on this page are based on the closest matching BLS classification: Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers (SOC 49-2021). Actual tower technician earnings may vary.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school or community college
- Typical timeline: varies by program; confirm with the school
- Median wage (Minnesota): $76,960 per year (based on related “Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers” category) 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Tower Technician in Minnesota
How to become a Tower Technician in Minnesota? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for tower technicians in Minnesota.
How long does it take? tower technician training length in Minnesota varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.
What do tower technicians earn in Minnesota? The BLS does not track tower technician wages separately. Based on the related “Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers” category, the median annual wage in Minnesota is $76,960, with entry-level wages around $61,560 and experienced workers earning $92,980 or more 1.
How to Become a Tower Technician in Minnesota
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Minnesota training programs require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete an approved training program. Enroll in an approved tower technician program in Minnesota that combines classroom instruction with supervised practice.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to tower technicians in Minnesota before you start working.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Tower Technician Wages by Metro Area in Minnesota
Tower Technician Wages by Metro Area in Minnesota
Note: The BLS does not track tower technician wages separately. The data below is based on the closest matching category: Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers (SOC 49-2021).
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairers wages in Minnesota vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | 40 | $80,880 | $82,420 | $61,560 | $92,980 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for tower technicians in Minnesota? Minnesota employs approximately 80 workers in the related “Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers” category 1. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 8.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Minnesota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Minnesota.
How much do tower technicians earn in Minnesota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for tower technicians in Minnesota is $76,960 (based on the related “Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers” category), which is $12,770 above the national median of $64,190 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |