How to Become a Tower Technician in Pennsylvania (2026)
Pennsylvania employs about 240 tower technicians earning a median $103,010 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 Pennsylvania.
Compare Tower Technician Schools in Pennsylvania
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hudson Valley Community College | 62.7 | $6,796 in-state / $11,852 out-of-state | $54,719 | 35% | Yes* | 233 mi |
| 2 | Quinsigamond Community College | 58.1 | $6,262 in-state / $11,206 out-of-state | $55,076 | 22% | Yes* | 299 mi |
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| 3 | SUNY Westchester Community College | 55.9 | $5,948 in-state / $12,486 out-of-state | $112,190 | 25% | Yes* | 173 mi |
| 4 | Lanier Technical College | 51.3 | $3,980 in-state / $7,190 out-of-state | $44,754 | 34% | Yes* | 561 mi |
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| 5 | Westmoreland County Community College | 49.1 | $6,018 in-state / $14,424 out-of-state | $49,187 | 31% | Yes* | 138 mi |
| 6 | Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College | 48.1 | $4,728 in-state / $6,432 out-of-state | $42,469 | 47% | Yes* | 401 mi |
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| 7 | Cuyahoga Community College District | 47.6 | $3,249 in-state / $7,249 out-of-state | $49,698 | 31% | Yes* | 259 mi |
| 8 | Big Sandy Community and Technical College | 47.3 | $4,728 in-state / $6,432 out-of-state | $39,692 | 38% | Yes* | 363 mi |
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| 9 | Cayuga County Community College | 46.7 | $7,056 in-state / $12,336 out-of-state | Not reported | 30% | Yes* | 179 mi |
| 10 | Fortis Institute-Wayne | 43.6 | Contact school for pricing | $39,605 | 72% | — | 146 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, Pennsylvania employs approximately 240 workers in the related “Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers” category (SOC 49-2021), with a median annual wage of $103,010 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 Pennsylvania, 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 (Pennsylvania): $103,010 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 Pennsylvania
How to become a Tower Technician in Pennsylvania? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for tower technicians in Pennsylvania.
How long does it take? tower technician training length in Pennsylvania varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.
What do tower technicians earn in Pennsylvania? 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 Pennsylvania is $103,010, with entry-level wages around $49,780 and experienced workers earning $108,780 or more 1.
How to Become a Tower Technician in Pennsylvania
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Pennsylvania training programs require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete an approved training program. Enroll in an approved tower technician program in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
Tower Technician Wages by Metro Area in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 380 | $65,520 | $74,310 | $52,670 | $105,240 |
| Pittsburgh | 50 | $80,430 | $77,550 | $48,670 | $104,260 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | 40 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
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 Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania employs approximately 240 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 Pennsylvania? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Pennsylvania.
How much do tower technicians earn in Pennsylvania compared to the national average? The median annual wage for tower technicians in Pennsylvania is $103,010 (based on the related “Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers” category), which is $38,820 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) |