http://work.chron.com/transmission-tower-climber-paid-5300.html
Transmission tower workers often work at heights of up to 1,500 feet, performing maintenance and repair work for cellular phone and other wireless communications companies. Needless to say, this occupation is not for the faint of heart. Transmission tower workers can, however, earn a decent living. They are also in high demand.
Average Salary and Pay Scale
Data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2011 show that radio, cellular and tower equipment installers and repairs made a mean annual wage of $44,250. This group includes transmission tower climbers. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than $26,200 per year and $12.60 per hour, while the highest-paid 10 percent earned $67,660 or more per year and $32.53 or more per hour. The national average was $21.27 per hour.
Pay by State
Transmission tower workers in Washington reported the highest average earnings by state in 2011, at $56,950 per year and $27.38 per hour. Other high-paying states for this occupation were Missouri, Alaska, Nevada and Kentucky, all of which paid tower climbers average annual salaries of more than $52,000. Montana, Michigan and West Virginia reported some of the lowest earnings for tower climbers, at an average of less than $35,000 per year.
Pay by Employment Sector
In 2011, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that tower workers employed by wireless telecommunications companies averaged $49,250 per year and $23.68 per hour. This was far more than the average earnings of tower climbers employed by wired telecommunications carriers, who averaged $36,260 per year and $17.43 per hour. Government workers reported average hourly wages of $26.29 per hour and annual income of about $54,700 per year.
Occupational Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment growth of about 29 percent for transmission tower workers between 2010 and 2020. Approximately 9,900 tower climbers were employed as of 2010. The bureau expects that number to rise by 3,000 by 2020. Because of the sometimes dangerous conditions faced by these workers, those who are willing to do the job and have an associate degree in a related subject area should have good prospects for employment.
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