Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers
Machines can already do 23% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 60%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 23% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2033, and 60% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 11,140 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $63,520 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 77% for contact with people.
- Also called: Communications Systems Technician, Field Service Technician (Field Service Tech), Field Technician (Field Tech), Installation Technician (Installation Tech).
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport equipment to work sites, using utility trucks and equipment trailers | 8% | 30% to 75% | |
| Install all necessary transmission equipment components, including antennas or antenna mounts, surge arrestors, transmission lines, connectors, or tower-mounted amplifiers (TMAs) | 7% | 20% to 60% | |
| Run appropriate power, ground, or coaxial cables | 6% | 3% to 30% | |
| Complete reports related to project status, progress, or other work details, using computer software | 6% | 70% to 95% | |
| Read work orders, blueprints, plans, datasheets or site drawings to determine work to be done | 5% | 55% to 85% | |
| Perform maintenance or repair work on existing tower equipment, using hand or power tools | 5% | 20% to 60% | |
| Install, adjust, and repair stationary and mobile radio transmitting and receiving equipment and two-way radio communication systems | 5% | 20% to 60% | |
| 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 | 4% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers53% of tasks by 2035 · US median $60,070
- Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers53% of tasks by 2035 · US median $47,450
- Home Appliance Repairers53% of tasks by 2035 · US median $50,990
- Facilities Managers56% of tasks by 2035 · US median $106,660
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2033. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairers?
Machines can do 23% of the tasks of radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairers today and 60% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 49-2021.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/radio-cellular-and-tower-equipment-installers-and-repairers/