"How long does it take to become a tower technician in Montana?"

"Most paths into the tower technician field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both."

"Do tower technicians need a license in Montana?"

"Yes. Montana requires state-level licensing or registration for tower technicians, administered by the Building Codes Bureau - Crane and Hoist Operator. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements."

"What apprenticeships are available for tower technicians in Montana?"

"In Montana, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Montana Apprenticeship and Training Program, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details."

How to Become A Tower Technician in Montana

Q: "How much do tower technicians earn in Montana?"

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), tower technicians in Montana earned a median annual wage of approximately $47,000 (using the related \"Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers\" BLS category, since tower technician wages are not tracked separately). Employment concentration in Montana is about 2.71 times the national average for this occupation."

Q: "What is the job outlook for tower technicians in Montana?"

"Montana currently employs approximately 100 workers in the related \"Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers\" BLS category, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 8.6% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034."

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Montana radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairers earn a median annual wage of $47,000 ($22.60/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 100 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -26.0% below the national median of $63,520 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $47,000 ($22.60/hr)
25th percentile: $41,600 per year
75th percentile: $48,280 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $94,000 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $39,350 per year
Workers employed in Montana: 100
Versus national median: -26.0% below the U.S. median of $63,520
Job concentration: Location quotient 2.71 - this occupation is more concentrated in Montana than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Montana employs approximately 100 workers in the related “Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers” category (SOC 49-2021), with a median annual wage of $47,000 ¹. The state’s concentration of jobs in this category is 2.71x the national average, indicating strong regional demand. 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 Montana, 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.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Tower Technician in Montana

How do I become a tower technician in Montana? Montana requires credentials such as Crane and Hoist Operator - Tower Crane - First Class, Crane and Hoist Operator - Tower Crane - Second Class. The licensing authority is the Building Codes Bureau - Crane and Hoist Operator ³. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.

How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

Do I need a license in Montana? Yes. Montana has licensing or registration requirements for tower technicians. The Building Codes Bureau - Crane and Hoist Operator oversees licensing ³. See the licensing section below for details.

What do tower technicians earn in Montana? 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 Montana is $47,000, with entry-level wages around $39,350 and experienced workers earning $94,000 or more ¹.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Licensing authority: Building Codes Bureau - Crane and Hoist Operator
Median wage (Montana): $47,000 per year (based on related “Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers” category) ¹
Exam requirement: State exam required

Tower Technician License Requirements in Montana

The Building Codes Bureau - Crane and Hoist Operator oversees tower technician licensing in Montana ³.

License Types

License	Requirements
Crane and Hoist Operator - Tower Crane - First Class	Crane and tower operators use machinery to lift and move heavy loads.
Crane and Hoist Operator - Tower Crane - Second Class	Crane and tower operators use machinery to lift and move heavy loads.

Additional Requirements

Exam: State exam required
Experience: Work experience required

License information sourced from CareerOneStop ⁴.

Tower Technician Wages by Metro Area in Montana

Explore More Trades in Montana

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for tower technicians in Montana? Montana employs approximately 100 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.

Can I work as a tower technician in Montana with an out-of-state license? Contact the Building Codes Bureau - Crane and Hoist Operator for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Montana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Montana.

How much do tower technicians earn in Montana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for tower technicians in Montana is $47,000 (based on the related “Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers” category), which is $17,190 below the national median of $64,190 according to BLS data ¹.

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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Building Codes Bureau - Crane and Hoist Operator - Licensing Information: https://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/crane-hoisting-operator-program/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎

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)