Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers
Repair, install or maintain mobile or stationary radio transmitting, broadcasting, and receiving equipment, and two-way radio communications systems used in cellular telecommunications, mobile broadband, ship-to-shore, aircraft-to-ground communications, and radio equipment in service and emergency vehicles. May test and analyze network coverage.
AI Impact Summary
Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers faces low AI displacement risk with a score of 20/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 6% of all analyzed occupations. Of 19 analyzed tasks, 3 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Cybersecurity Fundamentals Path
by Pluralsight
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
by University of Michigan
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
19 tasks analyzed
Climb communication towers to install, replace, or repair antennas or auxiliary equipment used to transmit and receive radio waves.
Perform maintenance or repair work on existing tower equipment, using hand or power tools.
Read work orders, blueprints, plans, datasheets or site drawings to determine work to be done.
Inspect completed work to ensure all hardware is tight, antennas are level, hangers are properly fastened, proper support is in place, or adequate weather proofing has been installed.
Bolt equipment into place, using hand or power tools.
Test operation of tower transmission components, using sweep testing tools or software.
Lift equipment into position, using cranes and rigging tools or equipment, such as gin poles.
Run appropriate power, ground, or coaxial cables.
Climb towers to access components, using safety equipment, such as full-body harnesses.
Install, connect, or test underground or aboveground grounding systems.
Transport equipment to work sites, using utility trucks and equipment trailers.
Check antenna positioning to ensure specified azimuths or mechanical tilts and adjust as necessary.
Replace existing antennas with new antennas as directed.
Install all necessary transmission equipment components, including antennas or antenna mounts, surge arrestors, transmission lines, connectors, or tower-mounted amplifiers (TMAs).
Take site survey photos or photos of work performed, using digital cameras.
Locate tower sites where work is to be performed, using mapping software.
Assemble or erect communications towers, using construction or rigging equipment.
Complete reports related to project status, progress, or other work details, using computer software.
Install or repair tower lighting components, including strobes, beacons, or lighting controllers.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Climb communication towers to install, replace, or repair antennas or auxiliary equipment used to transmit and receive radio waves. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 10% | |
| Perform maintenance or repair work on existing tower equipment, using hand or power tools. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 10% | |
| Read work orders, blueprints, plans, datasheets or site drawings to determine work to be done. | 47.1Observed | 68.0% | 5% | |
| Inspect completed work to ensure all hardware is tight, antennas are level, hangers are properly fastened, proper support is in place, or adequate weather proofing has been installed. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 5% | |
| Bolt equipment into place, using hand or power tools. | 10Estimated | 37.0% | 5% | |
| Test operation of tower transmission components, using sweep testing tools or software. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 5% | |
| Lift equipment into position, using cranes and rigging tools or equipment, such as gin poles. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 5% | |
| Run appropriate power, ground, or coaxial cables. | 10Estimated | 37.0% | 8% | |
| Climb towers to access components, using safety equipment, such as full-body harnesses. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 8% | |
| Install, connect, or test underground or aboveground grounding systems. | 15Estimated | 39.0% | 5% | |
| Transport equipment to work sites, using utility trucks and equipment trailers. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 5% | |
| Check antenna positioning to ensure specified azimuths or mechanical tilts and adjust as necessary. | 20Estimated | 17.0% | 5% | |
| Replace existing antennas with new antennas as directed. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 5% | |
| Install all necessary transmission equipment components, including antennas or antenna mounts, surge arrestors, transmission lines, connectors, or tower-mounted amplifiers (TMAs). | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 6% | |
| Take site survey photos or photos of work performed, using digital cameras. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 2% | |
| Locate tower sites where work is to be performed, using mapping software. | 100Estimated | 89.2% | 2% | |
| Assemble or erect communications towers, using construction or rigging equipment. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 5% | |
| Complete reports related to project status, progress, or other work details, using computer software. | 95Estimated | 87.2% | 2% | |
| Install or repair tower lighting components, including strobes, beacons, or lighting controllers. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 28.7%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$64,190
per year
Mean Wage
$69,180
per year
Employment
11K
workers
Wage Range
$42,360 - $102,550
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Explore other career paths
Compare displacement risk across occupations and find careers with stronger long-term prospects.
Alternate Career Paths
See all transitionsSales Managers
25%Higher risk than 20% of other occupations
Chief Executives
26%Higher risk than 23% of other occupations
General and Operations Managers
28%Higher risk than 29% of other occupations
Marketing Managers
30%Higher risk than 38% of other occupations
Advertising and Promotions Managers
31%Higher risk than 43% of other occupations
Computer and Information Systems Managers
31%Higher risk than 45% of other occupations
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Equipment Maintenance
Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Manual Dexterity
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change