I climb and inspect cellular phone towers.
How would you describe what you do?
We climb up a cell tower, say anywhere from 200 to 500 feet and do maintenance mainly on cellular phone towers changing changing out transmission lines or antennas. Sometimes we just change out light bulbs on the tower, that sort of thing.
What does your work entail?
It varies. A lot of times it’s just maintenance maintenance, changing out antennas and feed lines and, you know, fixing lighting systems, changing bulbs.
…we’ve had people come to work here saying how they’re mountain climbers, they’re not scared of heights or anything and they don’t last a day…
Some weeks you actually get into the building of the towers and that kind of stuff.
How did you get started?
I had friends that worked for a company in Cedar Rapids at the time, they asked me if I wanted to try it and I said, Sure, you know, see what it was going to be like. If it didn’t work out I still had another job I could go back to, but I did it for two days and loved it, so here I am.
What do you like about what you do?
A lot of it is just that feeling you get when people are just set off and amazed when you tell them what you do for a living. They’re like, I could never do that. You’d never catch me up that high. And it’s always a thrill because every tower’s different.
You’ve got to love your job because if you don’t love your job, then you’re not going to last at it because it takes a certain kind of person to be able to get up every morning and out of bed, go to work and then climb 500 feet in the air.
Every tower is a new, every one is a new experience so you never know what you’re going to find once you get up there.
What do you dislike?
The traveling’s pretty bad. You’re all over three or four states, so it’s kind of tough on the home life.
How do you make money/or how are you compensated?
It depends on the company. I’ve always been paid by the hour. But there’s some companies that’ll pay their employees by the job.
How much money do you make as a tower climber?
It depends on who you work for. Some companies don’t pay very well, so it varies. Last year, I think I made $60,000. But that’s working 60 hours a week on average.
What education or skills are needed to do this?
There’s some education because the more you move up, the more – as far as computer equipment and stuff, you need to learn how to run. But really you just need a good work ethic and I guess you’ve got to be a strong worker because nobody likes to carry anybody else’s weight. Also we’ve had people come to work here saying how they’re mountain climbers, they’re not scared of heights or anything and they don’t last a day because they can’t do it. I don’t know if it’s the whole just being out in the open because when you climb a mountain you have a big wall in front of you so you can’t see nothing else but when you climb a tower, 90% of the time, you can see right through it.
What is most challenging about what you do?
I’d say the winters. I always say if you can make it through the winter, you can usually make it through about anything because being up in the air like that for –even if you’re up there just for an hour, it’s usually ten times colder in the air than what it is on the ground, you have nothing to block the wind.
What is most rewarding?
I think I’d have to go back to the same thing where you tell people what you do for a living and just the awestruck looks on their face sometimes.
What advice would you offer someone considering this career?
I guess my advice to anybody is never get comfortable when you’re up in the air because when you get comfortable, you stop thinking about what you’re doing. That’s when bad things could happen.
How much time off do you get/take?
Usually we work year-round so you get your vacation which is a week or two every year. The weather allows you some every now and then, like if it’s thunder storming, then obviously, you’re not going to be climbing when there’s lightning. Sometimes during the winter if it’s too cold and we’ll take a day or two off.
What is a common misconception people have about what you do?
There’s a lot of people that say, Oh, man. You guys must do a lot of drugs and stuff to be able to do that. They think we’re all crazy.
What are your goals/dreams for the future?
Well, right now, I’ve moved up from being a tower climber full time. I’m actually working in the office now as a project manager, so I’d like to just keep doing what I’m doing right now, moving up.
What else would you like people to know about what you do?
Just that you’ve got to love what you do. You’ve got to love your job because if you don’t love your job, then you’re not going to last at it because it takes a certain kind of person to be able to get up every morning and out of bed, go to work and then climb 500 feet in the air.
i have done B.Tech(IT) in 2010 , I have worked in one company ,But that company has been closed due to recession and some other problem ,so right now i am working as free lancer ,i have no job and not proper experience so please help me , can i get work in your organization
Hey, im 24 and I’ve been kicking arround getting into this recently. Had a few questions about a real day of a “Green” tower hand.. You know, what to expect the first week through 6 months on the job, but i dont know anyone that does this so getting real information is limited to what i hear on these msg boards. I currently have a decent job. Pays the bills. $13.00 an hour. Just want to know what I would be getting into if I left my job for this one. Im in good shape run 3 miles daily, and heights are not an issue I skydive when i have the extra time/money. Ive done everything from digging ditches, running cable for comcast to working on hydraulics, but dont have any exp with towers/climbing… If anyone can help me out I would really appreciate it. Thanks
[email protected]
They should have a tower climbing union especially since its not a huge work force so that that all climbers get paid really good.
hey, anyone looking for climbing position? got one to offer, need to live in PA , OH or around, and expect to away from home for quite a bit.. but we do spend a lot time home as well.. all depends how far you live,,,
anyway,, if you know about anyone get back,, pay is at minimum $20h but based on experience.
we do work only on our equipment,
mostly swapping out odu and re-aligning dish…
Nick,
I would love to talk to you and possibly feature you on a new docu-series TV show that we currently have under Development.
If you, or any tower dawgs you know might be interested, please don’t hesitate to contact me and we can talk some more.
Thanks!
Justin Pease
Casting Associate
[email protected]
I been climbing towers for bout four I think we are very under payed I started off making ten an hour now I make 16 we have the most dangerous job in America nd people don’t realize Wat we wake up and do every morning I’ve watch two of my best friends fall to there death at 500ft nd 650ft people don’t appreciate that we maker sure that your cell phone odd working properly one thing I can say it takes a real man with balls to do Wat ifs tower dogs do every day much love nd respect to all climbers out there risking their lives to maker that money
do we need to pay maintaince when there is tower on top of our flat
Do anyone know of any companies in Jacksonville FL that is good, i need a reliable company thats willing to pay tho, I have more then 10yrs experience i also would like to get into integrations, Thanks in advanced!
you try wireless estimator
Are you still looking for work in Fl. Our company will be in FL. In two weeks. We need experienced climbers. We have 500 towers to decommission.
SRU Electric is looking to hire 15-25 Tower Climbers based out Michigan, Illinois ,and Indiana over the next 3-5 weeks starting 6/12/2012 please contact me by email if interested in applying.
[email protected]
Please attach resume in Email and/or contact information and general location.
Does anyone know of the company Westower. What does the tower tech positions start out at? Also, is it a good company to work for? Have my drug test today; and start training maybe next week in N.Y. apparently.
Thanks
As often as I climb towers, I wish I could be paid for it. But you couldn’t pay me enough to climb back down. 🙂 SBC
I found reading these comments very interesting. My name is Tommy and I have been climbing towers since I was 20 ( I am currently 65) . I started in commercial broiadcast television working on everything from 100ft microwave towers to 2000′ television towers. I currently work on two way towers doing antenna and transmission line installs, both as part of my “day job” and free lance work. It is a hard, dirty job but it is something I totally enjoy. As others mentioned there is nothing like the feeling of looking over the world from the top of a tower. Back in the day we all “free climbed” since there were no safety cables or 100% tie off devices like there are today which is a good thing. I think the main thing for me is that tower work is something very few people can physically do so it is kind of special being part of a small fraternity of individuals who professionally do this work. Thanks for letting me share and be safe.
If any of you would be interested in participating in a short webcam interview via skype please contact me at: [email protected]
You could end up on TV across the US!
i work for tower 16 out of Baltimore MD, tower work is always a headache, nothing ever goes to plan, and are underpaid as shit . Only good thing about my job is thrill of being up in air and getting the comments that you guys are crazzzzy..
Been in the business for about 2 years now. There isnt any better feeling than sitting on the top of a tower and overlooking everything around you. It is dangerous work and a lot of traveling but if you are safe 100% of the time you are safe 100% of the time. Anyone thinking about getting into the business needs to put on a harness first and foremost and get up the tower no matter how long it takes you, just to see what we go through every day!
does anyone know anything about ENI.inc or engineering network international,inc??? was offered a job as a tower climber do to my current job as a highrise window cleaner have been looking for another job as a high access technician of some sort any clue as to what i should ask for salary wise in the seattle area thanks
My name is Justin and I am a Casting Associate for a Major-TV Network based out of Los Angeles, California. I was checking out this site about Tower Climbers and was hoping maybe some of you could be of some assistance…
The production company that I work for is currently looking for “Tower Dawgs” in the United States. Now, this would be for a TV show, so we are definitely looking for some characters/interesting individuals, and/or companies that specialize in some unique jobs, or rather, something that sets their company apart. Big accents are also always a plus!
If you happen to have any recommendations I would REALLY appreciate it. We are contacting some companies just by looking them up on various websites, so if you aren’t comfortable with sharing companies info, you can e-mail me privately and we have no problem telling them we just stumbled upon them while searching online.
We know what you guys go through and we want America to see for themselves just how hard your job is! Even if you don’t have any that come to mind, it would be great if you could help spread the word. Therefore, if a company or individual may be interested and think they have what it takes, they can contact us directly.
Thank you so much for your time and support!
Justin Pease
[email protected]
Quanta Wireless Solutions is looking for ALU/NCS certified climbers Levels 1-3, contact me at [email protected]
Looking for tower climbers in the Alabama area for maintenance/troubleshooting. Please email me at [email protected] Must have valid DL, solid background, and capable of passing a drug test. Thanks guys. BE SAFE
I loved it alot.Got to want it real real bad.Looking to sell 3,600ft of half inch stable-braid. I know that the next one that owns it will deserve to be called a Beast that or crazy like mee lol good luck be safe!?! [email protected]
when you are climbing on tower you should be very careful about your self because less then less mistake can take you to death –i am tower rigger
VIPER is the biggest rip off in the tower industry. the are making a KILLING off of greenhands that dont know any better. dont go down the road with them guys $9 per hour to climb 80 hrs a week…that how someone gets killed!! tired trying to climb..just dont work for them they will break your back and send ya home used up
Looking for a foreman or crew lead position. I don’t have a problem traveling and i live close to Atlanta.
to tell you the truth i was making 9$hr with viper,but we worked 7days a week and about 12hrs a day so we got a lot of over time and we got 25$ day to eat on if we was out of town, with then ur gone 2months and back home for 10days if ur like me no kids then u can save a lot of money up,i was making about 900 a week b4 tax that also with about 40hrs over time,they are out of FL and NC,well if u want to know more just email me at [email protected] and plz put tower in the subject line thanks be safe and tie off.
o and u have like 401k and health and life insurance when you are there for 90 days and a pay raise to.
o and u have like 401k and health and life insurance when ur there for 90days and a pay raise to with viper when ur there 90days and there all real nice
I’m james, I worked for a tower comp out of harrisburg nc, their main warehouse is in Ocala, FL called Viper Comm, they start u out at 9$ a hour but u work like 60 plus hrs a week 7days a week. I don’t work for them anymore because I left, I am looking for a small company to work for that works around NC so if any of u guys are out there i will be glad to work for you. I used to drive for them, don’t care how much I make right now bc i only worked like 2months so i still need to learn thanks.
Nathan, hows it going. I am a former Army soldier of 10 years. I have been researching this line of work for some time now a developed a respect and passion for it. Its something I want to do the rest of my life. I am single, in good shape and wlling to travel, learn and work hard. If you would be so kind as to foward me information so I could begin the hiring process. Thank you.
Andy, send your resume to [email protected]; will set up interview 1st week in Mar.
To all employers:
Experienced climber/painter with communication background seeking employment.
I have worked on towers ranging from 200ft – 1500ft, I also have a current Comtrain climber rescue certification. Ready to travel !
TMack:
Send resume to [email protected]; will set up interview if qualified.
I’ve been climbing towers since early 2008. Anything from 80ft to 2,000ft. (love the big ones!) Mostly we work on the lighting systems. But I’ve done a fair share of communication work as well. I work for the largest company in the US in this line of work. MillerCo Inc. No previous knowledge is needed to work here, but the more you know the higher your pay starts. We do have openings. It’s a hard job to hold for most. I’m home every weekend though at the least. But I do have admit. We are WAY underpaid in our industry!
As for the video link posted up a bit, those guys are dumbasses. You’re ALWAYS 100% bonded or I’LL fire your ass. That was just plain stupid. I’ve got a wife and child. What would they think if I said they weren’t worth the extra minute (total extra time spent on tower because of using it) it took to use my safety?
Being a tower rigger can be tough but rewarding to some. What we need is to
be a trade in the governments’ eyes.I have been doing this for 15 years and counting it does have it’s up and down.But i love it.
Looking for climbers and crew leads for upcoming jobs in SE (GA, FL, TN, KY, SC, NC, AL, MS and LA). Send resumes to [email protected] and I’ll contact you to set up interview via conf call or in person.
I have been working for my company for 6 months not long I’m still learning. I’m 20 and get paid $100 a day and $25 per diem. I don’t know much about the whole tower industry so I’m curious as to if I’m being underpaid and also no benefits. please someone reply. ty for your time.
We will be starting a job in the state of Washington in the next couple of weeks. Will be looking for help, some tower climbing involved. email me at [email protected],
my e-mail [email protected]
am a rigger and equally an rf installer if there any work please let me know
I have been climbing broadcast towers on and off for many years, doing antennae inspections, sweeping, parts fabrication, consulting and some installs of bays.
I am employed by a major broadcaster, so I am not a full time rigger, but have worked aside many of them. When I climb with the firms we hired, safety would be the first priority, especially at -20 C. The last hire was to replace a RF connector at about 350 feet on an AM tower (my certification was due for renewal), and it cost $5000 for the night, 2 riggers. The firms have very interesting formulas, including rates for travel, lodging and climbing.
Riggers are there to do the mechanical work, and we are there to make the decisions on the spot, reduce down time and make everyone’s life better.
Climbing is a dangerous job, especially when people become complacent.
To make big bucks, you need to be an RF specialist, and climb. Machining helps too.
i have worked with gondola operator,sealant applicator exterior free cast wall and glass wall. can coordinate about the project whats going on(T.L ),for too years and i want to chance to be a tower climber..i just don”t know how to go about it.thanks…
can someone help me!?
contact ; 09164064357
My dream is to become a tower climber. Can any body give me some info on how to accomplish this goal and where to apply. Ive been a construction worker for the last 12 years and I have put a lot of thought into what i want to do with my future and this is it. I just don’t know how to go about it. Thanks
wirelessestimator.com
I have worked with utility communications for 4 years and i want a chance to get back into it.
To all the dymantic tower climbers I pray that ya’ll stay safe and thank you for all of ya’lls hard work! I dont think people apperate what ya’ll really do up there! My boyfriend risks his life everyday. He actually loves his job! Yea it sucks he has to travel for 6 weeks and home for a week but at least I get to see him and talk to him everyday and know that he’s alright. Yea he may be crazy for having a career like this but he’s good at it!
-tyler, a proud tower climber who is actually pretty intelligent( top ten in my class in high school), who, yes, sweats and probably does smell after a hard day of work but i ALWAYS shower when i get back to room. im not broke i make pretty good money. my teeth are excellent, i have always taken care of them. yes i can tie knots but i wouldnt say im proud of it, any boyscout can tie the same knots. and not really proud of turning a wrench or putting tape something either because my four year old nephew can do that, not quit sure why you would think that is something we would be proud of. my credit is just fine, its not outstanding but good, ive never really worked on it so whatever. i dont own a home but im 24 so i think thats ok. i do own my own car and my own truck(2009 F350). completely paid off. the traveling can be hard on a relationship thats true but its ok because there is always new women to keep you company in every town. i do pretty well in that aspect. other guys i work have VERY stable home lives with their wives and children. im in a hotel room right now and its not shitty at all. its an $85 room at a comfort suites. thats what i say in every night. our work trucks are really nice dodge 3500s that are not dirty at all. nobody else on my crew smells, we all shower. at any rate i have health care, dental care, 401k, a decent pay check, and a fun life.
so remember today when you make a phone call, think about why you can make that call.
Most companies do on the job training. Most large utility companies and transportation companies have small groups of in house employees that do all they’re tower work. ie. railroads, and power compnies. I run a tower crew for Union Pacifc in California.
There is no license for working on towers. You have to be compitently trained by a carrier, and have to have 2 people on site that are rescue certified. Generally, yes you need to speak good english, when preforming work at heights, communication is very important.
I work for a company in welcome NC that needs climbers
Sink towers 3367846867
Hello, I’m a tower climber in Iraq but I’ve been living in the U.S now for 2 months and I’m looking for a job in this field but I want some help. I want to know where and how and I can get a job in this field what do I need? is their a license for it? and do I need to speak English very well? Please help me.
Thanks
i have a few teams (climbers, car drivers, engineers). we work in cellular phone industry (in Russian, Ukrainian, Poland) but now i search a job…… can someone help meeeee???))))
TO ALL TOWERHAND I HAVE MEAT BE SAFE GOD BLESS ///WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU ,/// WOULD LIKE MEAT OTHERS,/// GOOD DAY
228 363 1848 CALL AND TALK have agood day be SAFE..SAFTY
Dean loves towers …HDTV….RADIO….CELL…TALLER THE BETTER ,,,1982,,,2011…ERECTATION …FOUNDATION…ANTANNAS…LIVE TO CLIMB TOWERS…HA.HA.HA…AND MUCH MORE
please i want to lean thses job can some one show a place i can lean this job, school or a company plz
Where do I fill the app. out?
im looking for a cell phone tower job i got a year and half exp. So please contact me at my email if you have any opening thanks.
My name is Adam and im a 31 yr old climber. I currently live in illinois and have about 3 n a half years as a climber with a few small local companies and am trying to get back out on the road and back up in the air where I belong. If anybody needs a competant climber anywhere in the states I would really like to hear from you. Not much for wasting any time so feel free to just call me anytime day or night at 217-550-1310
I am a “Tower Dawg” Have been for 6 years now.Towers are my Jungle gym in the Sky.I climb like a Monkey and Bark like a Dog……Maybe I fall into the crazy Category.Ya Think?
Safety First my Fellow Dawgs!!!! Be Safe,Be Alert….Be Home….
If any of you guys even have basic telco rigging experience and can get to Australia Try looking up an australian website called http://www.seek.com. They are crying out for experienced tower climbers on good money. Min $25 to $40 dollars an hour. Have a look……
One piece of advice to the aspiring climber, find a good company and stick with them, and just remember we all know each other so do not burn bridges or you will be a donkey your whole career, if u can make it through an alberta winter get your jobs done on time and budget year round, you will have no problems filling your bank and buying that new truck u want! Rung One
Hi, I have been in the tower climbing business since I got out lf the army, I love it, wodnt give it up for anything in the world..the army was great and joined at 17 got out at 23.. Needed something as demanding as the army was… All of these people on here looking to get into the industry need to understamd we dont only do it for the money…. Yahoo groups has a tower_pro group you can join and submit a work cover letter and there,is always a bite, my last timr I applied on there was offer 16 jobs…. Be serious,committed and willing to work vigorous hours in vigorous weather though…thats one thing we dont appreciate is wasting our time and be honest aswellzzz
I know it sounds like a daft question , but having watched the 1780ft mast climb can someone tell me how the mast was assembled ? Presumably cranes aren’t able to hoist the steel to those heights ?
IV work in this filed my self IV work for company in Nebraska and now moved im wanting to get back into the business again im o
Single and need to make that good road money again my phone number is 580-247-5376 if u know any one looking for help let me know im a sweep teck and install line and antennas IV done stack jobs and guide line change outs u name it iv done it. Been around it from the dig sprint build in the east cost to Verizon in the west coast I understand the hot cuts and GSM ,dieplesers and the rest that goes with it please let me know if u can help this same old day to day like for a road dog is really geting me down living from check to check. The last few coms iv work for folded up . Thank u Don louru
Im 19 years of age and i am currently in the aviaion buissnes.
I would love a job climbing cell towers and or transmisson towers,im willing to learn all about it.
If you have any know about of where i could possibly be hired i would greatly appreciate it.
im with Andy, i have always wanted to do this job. i have always considered it to be one of my dream jobs, but i have no idea where to start. i reside in Oklahoma city OK, i would love any advise i could get to know where to find a job doing this.
Hi…after getting out of a 6 year term with the Army, it’s been difficult finding the right job for me. I have been looking into tower tech work for some time now, but not sure how to go about getting into this business. I really could use some advice. This is what I would like to do the rest of my career. Im currenty living in south Florida. Can someone please give me some guidance. Thanks.
I have read everyones posts. The guy named Ron is the only one that is close to understanding general contracting in wireless industry. It is very rarel a tower climber makes it into ” upper management ” and what I mean by that is ” the real money ” sure there are lots of project managers and construction managers that hold that title & the responsability that comes with it, but they are un-educated and come from a tower labor position and are just happy to be in a position of control to the never ending revolving door of green hands entering the industry that are gung ho and consider themselves to be ” MEN ” now climbing a tower doing a real mans job. These project managers and construction managers are hardly ever above $100,000.00. The real money and real men of the wireless industry are in accounting/owner positions where they are very business savvy, are not concerened what so ever about how good they can put on a ground kit or tie a knot, they are into uploading skips and boms & boqs into servers and securing payment from there clients. Tower hands and Tower Foremans generally think that they are handeling big business and that people could not get buy without there superior knowledge of how life works…gimmie a break. The average tower hand or foreman is in the age of 20-33 yrs old, generally malnurished from living an unhealthy lifestyle in a hotel, smoking, drugs, poor morals, most have little or no credit or even the understanding of it, child support, because they have to travel for a living do to selfishness of being a real man and the only thing they know is climbing towers ect. Tower work is a dirty industry that very few understand until they are burned out and never took the time to learn the business ascpect of it because they are to proud or ignorant about tieing the best knots or weatherproofing, or making great friends / ” brothers “. It is unprofesional and anything goes in the field, it is a wi;ld free for all and even the most ignorant fools can get a foreman position, you must be willing to outsmart or step on the foreman to move up but can only do that if you have what it takes inside of you, very few do. why would you work for 2 months at a time and have nothing to show for it? you will be on the road for the rest of your life if you take this job and you will be taking orders from someone that is at home with there family and will do anything to keep you down where you are so they will not have to come on the road. Despite contrary beleif, it is not a small tight niched industry, it is cut throat and about money, its not about how hard you work, its about how hard you do not work and get paid more, thats the name of the tower game.
i used to do this back in the early 80s—there was 2 of us and we had 200 towers in 5 southern states
it was the best time of my life—-way up high changing the covers on the dishes, changing all the lights and doing inspections on the structure.
one job i remember well—we had to go out in the boondocks of south carolina to replace the whole beacon light due to it being shot and destroyed by high powered rifle—-20 foot peg ladder on top of a 600 ft tower—we got it replaced at just before dark that day and when we were testing—-it worked—then the shots started immediatly—the police came and quickly found the shooter, but we had to come back the next day to replace the one lenz that was shot out while we were standing on the ground—what a life—i miss it but im 46 now and in good shape but thats a young mans job and i would jump at the chance to do it again—-i made 8.50 an hour at 18 yrs old in 1983
I am a rigger for about (10) years now and i have been working with so many people and so many companies,What we do is we install (GSM ANTENNAS) and microwave which is (ERICSSON EQUIPMENT,HUAWEI EQUIPMENT,ALCATEL EQUIPMENT,ZTE EQUIPMENT,NOKIA SIEMENS EQUIPMENT,SAGEM EQUIPMENT,NERA EVOLUTION EQUIPMENT,AND MOTOROLLA EQUIPMENT,We also do preventive maintenance,I have work with vodafone ghana before and huawei company,I climb a tower hight from 100 meters up to 500 meters and i have a hight certificate and rescue certificate,
like i jus want to climb tv transmission towers and guyed mast is there a certain certification to do just that
i have a question to any one that knows im still very young jus a teen and i want to get into this work but i want to climb towers 500ft+ is there any different certification i need to climb taller towers like 1000ft towers then smaller towers like 200ft
Mr. William Johnson,
I’ve been riggging towers and running crews in Iraq for a few years now. In the last 2 years I’ve constructed 6 towers of various heights and 2 radar platforms. I’ve also installed various antenna systems and commissioned a few microwave links using Alcatel radios. I have experience in fiber optics as well. I love the telecom industry, especially the rigging work but need to get out of the desert. So I’m looking for some stateside work. Can you send me your email address or your companies website? Thanks.
Joe
[email protected]
Starting up a new company. Have AT&T work in Ark. Ave. climb 250-400 ft. Need crew leaders, sweepers and towerhands. competative pay. Day rates and hourly + expences. Contact through e-mail to set up interview
hello, ive climb towers for 6 years im alittle out of shape do to not working. i have com training and andrew conecter class certificate, asswell as rescue.. im a hard worker ive worked a crew of men many times an im a hard forman to work for cause i like to get work done in a timly manor,but i will not tell my guys to do anythang i wouldnt do my self, i live in Yuba City CA, if there is any work avalable please contact me at 757 880 8901
its still looks really scary to me! you guys are some crazy people! i give you guys mad props
Im 23 years old and have electrical backround and have been climbing for years doing tree work. Ive sent in resumes and apps trying to get into this feild but havent made it yet. Anything you guys can recommend to help me along the way would be great. Im out of Tallahassee Fl
What you need to do Ben is get in a company and keep watch for “Headhunters” who want to steal you away from your company to have you come to another company. Always shoot for the bigger bucks. I am 50 and have many certifications in various Institutions including Andrews world-headquarters in Chicago as well as others in various fields such as connector certs and Microwave installation and Path Alignment. Each company has the ability to have you improve your skills and gain these certifications. If they don’t, refuse their employment. I have been a Field Engineer after first becoming a simple ground man. But it takes time and toil. Having erected thousands of every tower made, I have extensive knowledge of all tower sites. Including roof tops; billboards and skyscrapers whereas I had to repel down 60 plus feet or more to hammer drill an antenna frame work onto the side of the building. A scary thing to do. Most all of my men were afraid to do so. I showed them balls and did the most difficult and dangerous jobs myself to allow them to learn all proper procedure. Including proper knots for you repel as well as back-put lines. Most of all safety being first. Also, on sites such as in Wisconsin where ice had encrusted the climbing pegs on a mono-pole at 3am, I would allow my men to sit in the company truck as I would beat the ice off the pegs to get to the top-hat to fix a simple jumper to an antenna. I value safety over all. Then a no nonsense approach at getting the job done. REGARDLESS! I don’t approve of Head-hunters because when I become a company man that is what I am. Loyal. I am also contemplating returning to the field. I began about 25 years ago and it was the love of my life! 9/11 stole it from me. I would love to return to my career!!! Maybe someone will see this… Hope I have helped. Remember, 100 percent tie-off at ALL times! Your life depends upon it! Ask your company for classes… Later, Spyder
I build some towers for ERI. I also make antenna brackets. I didn’t realize that u guys were so underpaid!! We get paid 14.00 an up just to make this shit!! Demand more money!! Two people on our tower crew fell 300 feet. They don’t know what caused it yet. They we’re stackin a tower. Ginpole sled broke
Please I do not believe suppling this guy with a little bit of information is good its people like this that come into this industry thinking its is like owning a convience store and
Destroy family lives.
If you want to own a tower company you should at least beable to climb yourself. However are you going to tell your Men what they should do if you can’t do it yourself
hey respect..shoot me an email and ill give you any details you need about the industry. its [email protected]
I am interested in starting a Tower Climbing Business, outside of North America, but I need to find out about training and insurance for employees. Can someone help me out?
Thanks.
Sure great these guys can do this wow
Ive been climbing for 10 years and im telling you right now! all these companys are taking advantage of you! $12 per hr..? really to risk your life..shame on them for treating you like a p.o.s! i am with jake r. to hell with your tower pay me what i deserve cause it IS about the money and all of you know it. i love climbing towers but i hate being away from my family and friends for months on end. make it worth being up on a tower in the middle of winter frozen to the side of a tower pissing ice sickles in the wind. go on strike..and dont ever work for a temp to perm company! NEVER
My name is monday ojeiwa from nigeria
Am a train rigger of more dan 15yrs exsperence in the field of regging and erecting of tower and antenna,pls u can contact me if there’s any job that need rigger in africa,am always avalable,I climp any height of tower or mars,
we have an offer USD 180 PER DAY
were actually located in atlanta, we just hired 3 new green guys so im not sure if were hiring at the moment..! were actually pulling 2 crews from north alabama to come back to atlanta.. we have a number of sites we have to complete.. were actually installing the new RRU’s, jumpers and fibers..! where are you located steve?
Well mick will please include you location so we all can sign up there it sounds great.
I just got into the tower aspect of this field.. I see this guy posted saying that he made 60k a year.. Idk what company you were working for or where abouts but when i started i was being paid 180 a day with a 30 buck a day food comp totaling 210 a day while on the road, 180 when im in town, now im doing the same stuff of course more experienced but im bringing in 270 a day and 30 food comp.. 300 daily.. the company i work for treats their employees like they would like to be treated.. i climb with a great group of guys as well..! theres never a dull moment.. so the right job is out there.. make sure you get paid what your worth cause at the end of the day your still risking your life to make someone else richer..!
Hey man if you could email me the name of your company I’d greatly appreciate it. I’m doing some research on possibly getting into the business.
hi, I’m very interested in getting involved in this line of work. I have always welcomed heights my whole life , I am always careful and respect the heights as I would if I were working with fire. Your’re only safe if you have respect for the job at hand. I am a carpenter now, have been for almost 20 yrs and I do respect every tool I operate, and every building i’m on. But at the same time i love to work up high and see everything around me, and i am used to working in cold temps being from minnesota and working outside all winter. So i hope you can steer me in the direction i need to go. thanx ,Dave
I have done Tower Work Before I was empoyled for 2years And I loved It And I have been Trying to find another Tower Climbing Company In my area or close to me to work for. I live in Portland Maine And I have my own Belt and Tools. I also Have my Comtrain ”Tower Climbing Safety & Rescue” For QualNet Communications Inc. that allows me to Climb Safely. Also I was Awarded A number of Raises on random undercover Safety Expaditions that I Did All Safely Correct. So if ANYONE knows how I can get a job or Where to get a job In Maine Please Call me my number is 210-5378 Also If anyone has a bisness of there own in the area Please feel free to call me I am Ready and willing to travel!!!
i’ve been climbing towers for about 7 years now and squeezing money out of any company is hard to do. most people i know quit the place there working for and go some where else for a buck or two more. then repeat after they get screwed at that place too. there is more room for advancement and better money at mcdonalds. just want a little apperciation for what we do. we need to tell all companys big and small that we deserve better. need the time of day to negotiate. i think all the little guys on the tower should strike for a week. “GIVE USE THE TIME OR WE DON’T CLIMB”
Speaking of s**t for beni’s…what about dealing with bodily functions when you are up a tower all day? If you don’t come down to warm your hands, you surely don’t come down to use the loo. Is it just let it all hang out? Or is there some sort of contraption such as fighter pilots use?
If you are doing this work for less then $30/hr plus beni’s plus per diem and travel pay then you are stupid.
Get some balls and tell your employers that you will not continue to provide labor for slave wages and shit for beni’s–Stand up and realize there are a select few that are capable of doing this work and start to charge a decent living for your labor
You wont get rich..$30 x 2000 hrs if you work 40/wk all yr is only $60,000 pre-tax…throw in about 6 bucks an hr for health care and 6 bucks for a pension or 401K ….2wks paid vacay costs aditional 1.20/hr plus a couple sick days…your still under $44 total package….
really your joking right 150000 them guys need let go….you don’t need to free climb that’s just a good way to get killed i am a tower dog my self and it 100% tie off or cya later….. cant wait to c your name on the news and who want to tell there family that they was killed because they didn’t want to tie off to work a little faster….. other than that they have some balls….
I am reading how it seems as though the industry is underpaid. It seems that as a tower climber you should start at $25.00 roughly? I was working at a local tree company for a short period when things got rough… and was making $16.00, I climbed some,and mostly operated all equipment. The climber made 25.00/HR. Seems a little off that someone 50-100ft makes more than someone 100+ ft makes !?
I am currently working in the Solar industry as a lead tech for a New Orleans based company, I work on roofs just about everyday… weather permitting. I am always up and down ladders, working with DC electricity up to 600 volts while up on high/steep roofs. I love my career and really have no intentions of leaving, but…. would love to climb towers on the side? Is there an industry in NOLA?
I guess I am asking if that’s an option… ( to do tower climbing on weekends or a couple days a week??) Can someone out there hopefully/preferably in the Louisiana/Mississippi /Alabama area answer this question? I am a 28 year old hard worker. I have good work ethic and take a lot of pride in anything I do. I really would love to give it a try…. I am sure I would love it. I love looking out over the land every day from a roof top or building top. Can’t wait to see it from 200+ feet!
Are there any qualifications I could get to increase my chances of a contracted tower climber ( other than OSHA and fall arrest training and electrical training)?
One last thing, THANKS all who have contributed to this site. You made me want to do it even more…. regardless of money. Experience and challenge are two driving motivators…
I agree that these tower climbers should make at least 6 figures to climb these structures. It’s all about consumption. If we the people didn’t need so many cell phones and all the other crap technology we use, then these guys wouldn’t have to risk their lives so often climbing these towers. God bless them all.
I really liked this youtube experience http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhtgsAXmz7U and it is one that should not be overlooked. These men are the best of the best and utterly fearless. Considering weather conditions, tool bag attachments, ackward climbing areas, the need to rest often, the ability to reflect on other things while climbing, etc, I feel these men deserve at least a six figure salary. It goes without saying. These men are worth more than Michael Vick and deserve as much protection for family and health care, including extensive death benefits. As an ironworker, my hat is off to them. We tie up and rivet on 12″ framing, these guys step outside of the closed in ladder areas and still climb an additional eighty feet. I say they deserve at least $150,000 a year with health care benefits and family protection. Period.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhtgsAXmz7U
These guys are climbing 1700 ft towers! I know, you fall, you die anything after 30′ but seriously this is a freaky video to watch, they are free climbing a pole over a 1/4 mile in the sky carrying a 30lb tool bag.
My Dad was an ironworker whose work caused us to travel from state to state. While he worked on the Arch in St. Louis, it was impossible to see him or identify anyone that high off the ground. That structure is 630 ft. high, not 50 ft.
Anthony let me guess you live in Maine and make so decent money right. I just hope that your employer is not Eastern communications. However the mid 20’s is not bad. Best of luck to you.
Rremember 100% tie off
Been doing this for a while now, 8 years to be exact. It’s the forgotten industry. They always put us in the catagory with the iron workers, yes we work with some iron building the towers but thats not all we do. I don’t think an iron workers is going to climb to 300 feet in the middle of the winter when it’s 14 degrees on the ground and the winds howling through the tower to re align a microwave dish in east bum Maine… those guys get paid alot more than us and most of them don’t even get above 50 feet. I get paid pretty well now, in the mid 20’s an hour, but i started out at 12 an hour. if your going to try this job, make sure you understand that your not doing it for the money…the money isn’t great when you start…
Richard,
Any company will provide this for you. Once you obtain it, this cert is only good for you current company after that you will have to take it again.
If a new company is what you are looking for try http://www.wirelessestimator.com look under employment. This is a website based for all tower workers. Where do you live? If you make 12.00 an hr your employer is one of those guys. Those guys are what we call rip offs. However do remember that this is a very small industry so leave nice.
this is ridiculous i climb 300 ft towers every day sometime 2 or 3 a day and get paid 12 dollars a hr i need to find a new company anybody got any ideas all we do is antenna swapout and add lines
I’m looking for some guys
how do I get started…are there any entry level openings in this position? I live in Boulder now…
wow,, my company pay for climber $20h and foreman $35h …
we dont do work for anybody else, only on our own equipment. in 4 states.
but we get to stay home sometimes for a whole month and yet get paid for the time being available.
You definitely need to look around…
I have been doing this for about 7 years. However I must say that we are under paid in the industry. I do not care what tower man says. Unless you are working in CA then you would have to work your ass off to make 75,000. I have been a foreman and top of the industry in the field and to make 75,000 would take a lot of hours.
If mostly you sweep diagnose and repair from the ground then you are not a tower climber.
Individuals that try to come into this industry and lie about past experience and can not climb however they think that they can sweep end up on the ground. Then you us men who are fast and efficient in the air people do not want to lose us. However even as a foreman I still hop my ass on the tower.
People are afraid of a little work.
my friend donney has been climbing for ten years and i have been up twice with him to try the job out and i have to say i love it i am working to save up money to go to tower school to get my certification i give tower dogs a lot of respect because they carry alot of weight up the tower with them when they climber and it does take a very strong person and very focused person to be a tower climber if anyone knows of any company that pays for training in the tower field please let me know thank u very much
I work for Paul l Whitney and associates and we Do the QC/PIM and SWEEPm the lines and antennas after the construction phase. To get certified check out COMTrain. They have schools..
GOOD LUCK Remember it isn’t IF you can CLIMB it’s IF YOU CAN CARRY THE WEIGHT AND CLIMB>>>
Waht companies can I go to that would have entry level positions..where I can learn?
my freind has a job doing this work, and i would like to do it also.i went to school 4 att too be a certifed field tech.if you have any inforation on who is hiring or were i can get a job doing this i would greatly apperciate all your help. sincerly, george truman
i am a tower climber but mostly sweep diagnose and repair from the ground. let me tell you even as the average tower climber working 50 to 60 hrs per week only making 60000 you are very underpaid. the average tower jockey around here is 75000 per year and the above average to great workers do much better