Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Cell Tower Technician
What cell tower technicians actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
Drive to the site and hold a job hazard analysis with the crew. From there, the day usually includes climb towers and rooftops safely, install antennas, radios and mounts, and run and secure coax, fiber and power cables. Many work long days and travel for weeks at a time, with work stopping for lightning and high winds.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a cell tower technician working full time.
- Drive to the site and hold a job hazard analysis with the crew.
- Inspect harnesses, lanyards and rescue gear.
- Climb to the antenna platform at 200 feet.
- Hoist and mount new 5G radios.
- Run fiber and power cables and secure them.
- Test connections with the ground crew.
- Take closeout photos and descend.
Where cell tower technicians work
Technicians work outdoors at extreme heights on towers, rooftops and water tanks, in heat, cold and wind, often in rural areas far from home.
Hours and schedule
Many work long days and travel for weeks at a time, with work stopping for lightning and high winds.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Climb towers and rooftops safely
- Install antennas, radios and mounts
- Run and secure coax, fiber and power cables
- Test equipment and signal performance
- Perform tower inspections
- Rig and hoist equipment
- Document work with photos and reports
Tools you’ll use every day
- Full-body harnesses and lanyards
- Rescue kits
- Hoists and rigging gear
- Torque wrenches
- Sweep and fiber testers
- Cameras for closeout documentation
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Premium pay for skilled climbers
- Adventure and travel
- Short entry training
- Growing 5G and broadband work
What’s hard
- Serious fall hazards
- Travel away from home
- Physically demanding
- Weather delays
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I’m comfortable at extreme heights
- I want adventurous outdoor work
- I take safety seriously
- I’m physically fit
- I don’t mind travel
- I want fast entry into tech
Not sure? Take the free Cell Tower Technician fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Maintain 100% tie-off
- Have a trained rescue plan for every climb
- Follow RF safety procedures
- Stop work for lightning and high winds