How High Do Riggers Climb?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Cell tower climbers are routinely required to climb

up to 500 feet off the ground

. Towers of all sizes and uses require repairs and trouble-shooting, and as there are so many, tower climbers are in very high demand. Their schedules vary, with long hours and long distances traveled to get to the next cell tower.

How often do radio tower climbers work?

Work schedule


Workdays can start early or end late, ranging from 8 – 10 hours and sometimes longer

. Some climbers will be out on assignment for weeks at a time. Some report only being home one week between working 6 – 8 week shifts traveling between sites far from home.

How long does it take to become a tower climber?

Unlike most Competent Tower Climbing Training that lasts two days, Safety One Training provides the option to get certified by the industry leading experts in only

ONE day

. So check us out if you are planning on getting certification (or getting re-certified) in the near future.

How much do tower light changers make?

How much do tower climbers make per job? Entry-level tower climbers with less than a year of experience often average

$17 per hour

on their role with under one year of experience. For those with more experience than that, they can expect to earn around $19 per hour.

Where do tower climbers make the most money?

As most things go, location can be critical.

Alaska, North Dakota, Connecticut, New Jersey, and California

provide the highest Tower Climber salaries.

Who climbs cell phone towers?


Cell Tower Technician

Must be willing and capable of climbing towers in excess of 300 feet following necessary training and certifications.

How many tower climbers are there in the United States?

There are

over 14,694

Tower Climbers currently employed in the United States. 6.0% of all Tower Climbers are women, while 89.8% are men. The average age of an employed Tower Climber is 45 years old.

How tall is the average cell tower?

Traditional Tower Height

Traditional cell towers, typically stand-alone towers, and they can be between

50-400 feet

.

What is a tower top hand?

As a tower hand, your duties and responsibilities are to

climb towers or poles to install, modify, repair, and perform routine maintenance on electrical equipment, such as power lines, cell tower components, or radio antenna equipment

.

What certifications do you need to be a tower climber?

Most Tower Climbers obtain certification in

climbing, safety, and fall protection, and some get snowcat operator certification

. Although formal education is not required, most employers prefer job seekers with a high school diploma or a GED certificate.

How much does a tower climber make in Florida?

Most common benefits. The average salary for a tower technician is

$20.77 per hour

in Florida and $7,133 overtime per year. 839 salaries reported, updated at April 5, 2022.

How much does it pay to change a light bulb on a tower?

They may work temporary or permanent positions. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies radio tower climbers under radio, cellular and tower equipment installers and repairers. In 2013, most of them earned an annual salary

between $26,990 and $73,150

.

How do you become a Tower Climber?

  1. Determine if it’s right for you. …
  2. Graduate from high school or obtain your GED. …
  3. Gain experience in related fields. …
  4. Complete the appropriate certifications. …
  5. Apply for tower climbing positions. …
  6. Complete tower climber training.

How much do telephone pole climbers make?

Salary Ranges for Pole Climbers

The salaries of Pole Climbers in the US range from

$36,000 to $95,990

, with a median salary of $66,450 . The middle 60% of Pole Climbers makes $66,450, with the top 80% making $95,990.

What job makes the most money?

Rank Occupation 2020 Median wages Annual 1 Anesthesiologists $100.00+ 2

General Internal Medicine Physicians

$100.00+
3 Obstetricians and Gynecologists $100.00+

Is there a Tower Climber Union?

Workers at Tower Safety in Phoenix, Ariz., a company that offers cell phone tower climbers an array of trainings and certifications with an emphasis on safety, won voluntary recognition and joined

Communications Workers of America (CWA)

. This is the first group of workers to form a union in the industry.

Do tower climbers use ropes?

As a tower climber,

it’s no secret that you are going to be spending a lot of time working with ropes and lifelines

. Whether you are looking for ascenders, descenders, rope (double braided or kernmantle), lifelines, or pulleys, GME Supply has just the solution for you.

Is it safe to climb mobile tower?


Cell tower climbing is considered one of the most dangerous jobs in the United States

. Individuals who work as cell tower climbers are at risk of sustaining catastrophic injuries, some of which can result in death.

What does a tower rigger do?

Telecom Tower Rigger


Assemble or erect communication towers using construction or rigging equipment

. Perform maintenance or repair work on existing tower equipment using hand or power tools.

How many tower climbers are in the world?


Over 29,000

tower climbers identified in extensive industry wireless workforce study | Wireless Estimator.

How High is a 5G tower?

5G towers are telecommunications sites capable of transmitting 5G “New Radio” signals for wide-area coverage. They are typically

50 to 200 feet tall

and designed to blend into the natural environment to limit the aesthetic impact.

What is the range of a 5G cell tower?

5G wavelengths have a range of

about 1,000 feet

, not even 2% of 4G’s range. So to ensure a reliable 5G signal, there needs to be a lot of 5G cell towers and antennas everywhere. We’re talking on every lamppost, traffic light, etc. because even trees can block 5G signals.

What’s the tallest cell tower?

Name Pinnacle height Structure type
KCCI Tower

609.6 m (2,000 ft) Guyed mast
Des Moines Hearst-Argyle Television Tower Alleman 609.6 m (2,000 ft) Guyed mast Diversified Communications Tower 609.6 m (2,000 ft) Guyed mast AFLAC Tower 609.6 m (2,000 ft) Guyed mast
Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.