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The AI Resilience Report helps you understand how AI is likely to impact your current or future career. Drawing on data from over 1,500 occupations, it provides a clear snapshot to support informed career decisions.
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Mostly Resilient
Last Update: 4/23/2026
Your role’s AI Resilience Score is
59.2%
Median Score
Meaningful human contribution
Measures the parts of the occupation that still require a human touch. This score averages data from up to four AI exposure datasets, focusing on the role’s resilience against automation.
Med
Long-term employer demand
Predicts the health of the job market for this role through 2034. Using Bureau of Labor Statistics data, it balances projected annual job openings (60%) with overall employment growth (40%).
Med
Sustained economic opportunity
Measures future earning potential and career flexibility. This score is a blend of total projected labor income (67%) and the role’s inherent ability to adapt to economic and technological shifts (33%).
Med
This reflects the reliability of your score based on the number of data sources available for this career and how closely those sources agree on the outlook. A higher confidence means more consistent evidence from labor experts and AI models.
This result is backed by strong agreement across multiple data sources.
Contributing sources
AI Resilience Report forRadio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers
Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers are somewhat more resilient to AI impacts than most occupations, according to our analysis of 6 sources.
This career is labeled as "Mostly Resilient" because, while AI and drones help with tasks like inspecting and monitoring towers, the essential hands-on work—like climbing towers and installing equipment—still requires human skills. AI assists by making inspections safer and more efficient, but it can't replace the physical dexterity and problem-solving abilities needed to perform on-site tasks.
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This career is labeled as "Mostly Resilient" because, while AI and drones help with tasks like inspecting and monitoring towers, the essential hands-on work—like climbing towers and installing equipment—still requires human skills. AI assists by making inspections safer and more efficient, but it can't replace the physical dexterity and problem-solving abilities needed to perform on-site tasks.
Read full analysisAnalysis of Current AI Resilience
Telecom Equipment Repairer
Updated Quarterly • Last Update: 2/17/2026
How is AI changing Telecom Equipment Repairer jobs?
Today, some parts of tower installation are getting smart help. For example, drones can now take site‐survey photos and even build 3D “digital twins” of towers. Researchers have used drone images with AI to spot rust or damage on towers automatically [1].
In one industry project, an Australian carrier (Telstra) had a two-person team fly drones around cell towers, then used AI to identify and tag every antenna from the images [2] [2]. This kind of system saved technicians many hours and reduces the need for routine climbs. O*NET notes that tower workers already “use drone technology to inspect towers and antennas for damage or maintenance needs” [3].
However, most physical tasks still need humans. Climbing towers, running power and coaxial cables, and bolting on connectors remain hand‐on work [3] [3]. AI can help with planning and reports, but it cannot yet grab a wrench or tighten a bolt on its own.
In short, inspection and monitoring tasks are increasingly augmented by AI (drones, image analysis), but the hands-on installation and adjustment work remains human.
Sources
How fast is AI adoption growing for Telecom Equipment Repairer?
Adopting AI in tower work depends on costs, benefits, and safety. Companies could save money: for instance, Telstra’s pilot on just seven towers showed a clear return on investment by cutting crew time [2]. Using drones and AI can slash labor and travel costs, since each manual tower visit can cost thousands and even risk lives. (Tower climbing is very dangerous – hundreds of climbers have been hurt or killed over the years [4] – so solutions that keep crews on the ground are appealing.)
On the other hand, the equipment and training for drones and AI aren’t free. Telecom operators must weigh the upfront tech costs against current labor costs and strict safety regulations. Since many tasks like wiring and adjusting antennas still need a skilled person on-site, adoption may be gradual [3] [4].
In general, AI in this field is still specialized: some software and services exist, but full automation is not yet common. Human workers with problem-solving skills and safety expertise remain crucial, so experts say AI will more likely augment installers rather than replace them outright [2] [4].
Sources
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More Career Info
Career: Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers
They set up and fix equipment on towers to make sure cell phones and radios work properly, keeping people connected.
Parent Careers
Employment & Wage Data
Median Wage
$64,190
Jobs (2024)
11,700
Growth (2024-34)
+8.6%
Annual Openings
1,200
Education
Associate's degree
Experience
None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2024-2034
Task-Level AI Resilience Scores
AI-generated estimates of task resilience over the next 3 years
1
Install or repair tower lighting components, including strobes, beacons, or lighting controllers.
2
Locate tower sites where work is to be performed, using mapping software.
3
Insert plugs into receptacles and bolt or screw leads to terminals to connect equipment to power sources, using hand tools.
4
Read work orders, blueprints, plans, datasheets or site drawings to determine work to be done.
5
Run appropriate power, ground, or coaxial cables.
6
Test operation of tower transmission components, using sweep testing tools or software.
7
Climb communication towers to install, replace, or repair antennas or auxiliary equipment used to transmit and receive radio waves.
Tasks are ranked by their AI resilience, with the most resilient tasks shown first. Core tasks are essential functions of this occupation, while supplemental tasks provide additional context.
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