How to hire a radio frequency technician

How to hire a radio frequency technician, step by step

Here's a step-by-step radio frequency technician hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a radio frequency technician job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new radio frequency technician
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a radio frequency technician do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a radio frequency technician, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A radio frequency technician's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, radio frequency technicians from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of radio frequency technicians.

   Type of Radio Frequency Technician	Description	Hourly rate
   Radio Frequency Technician		$16-31
   Radio Repairer	Radiation engineers conduct tests to evaluate the effects of radiation in multiple settings, as well as use the results of these tests to derive theoretical analyses. As engineers, they also design equipment and make sure that it meets all safety requirements... Show more	$17-37
   Technician	Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with... Show more	$11-27

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Test Equipment
   • Troubleshoot
   • Power Meters
   • RF Gun
   • Microwave
   • Test Procedures
   • Spectrum Analyzers
   • Test Results
   • Oscilloscopes
   • Signal Generators
   • Network Analyzers
   • Analog
   • Test Data
   • Preventative Maintenance

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Install, configure, upgrade, and manage Cisco routers and switches daily.
   • Process improvement efforts and/or other opportunities to automate these processes with computer applications with C++ and/or Java where applicable.
   • Install Nortel CDMA equipment throughout Kansas.
   • Maintain and repair Nortel TDMA equipment.
   • Install and maintain GSM and UMTS equipment.
   • Repair stocked or customer-own Motorola, Samsung, Nokia and other cellular brand equipment.

   More radio frequency technician duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your radio frequency technician job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A radio frequency technician salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, radio frequency technicians' average salary in south carolina is 53% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level radio frequency technicians earn 48% less than senior-level radio frequency technicians.
   • Certifications. A radio frequency technician with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a radio frequency technician's salary.

   Average radio frequency technician salary

   $47,568yearly

   $22.87 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level radio frequency technician salary

   $34,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average radio frequency technician salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$60,732	$29
   2	Alaska	$58,203	$28
   3	New Jersey	$57,753	$28
   4	Illinois	$53,554	$26
   5	New York	$50,973	$25
   6	Massachusetts	$49,495	$24
   7	Maryland	$48,053	$23
   8	Michigan	$47,088	$23
   9	Minnesota	$42,770	$21
   10	Texas	$41,056	$20
   11	Arizona	$40,903	$20
   12	Indiana	$39,844	$19
   13	Ohio	$31,432	$15
   14	Colorado	$30,428	$15

   Average radio frequency technician salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Meta	$126,078	$60.61
   2	Skyworks Solutions	$99,890	$48.02	11
   3	Nokia	$87,878	$42.25	1
   4	Comtech Telecommunications	$77,513	$37.27	1
   5	Brookhaven National Laboratory	$75,051	$36.08
   6	Planned Systems International	$70,178	$33.74
   7	Hoffmann-LA Roche Inc	$67,690	$32.54
   8	Koch Industries	$67,394	$32.40
   9	Crown Castle International	$66,931	$32.18	3
   10	Hexagon Safety & Infrastructure	$64,682	$31.10
   11	Qualcomm	$64,512	$31.02	1
   12	RGNext	$63,169	$30.37	1
   13	Analog Devices	$59,318	$28.52	7
   14	Sumaria Systems	$58,184	$27.97
   15	Electro Rent	$57,134	$27.47
   16	The Aerospace Corporation	$57,081	$27.44	4
   17	Crane Co.	$55,889	$26.87	4
   18	CyberCoders	$55,501	$26.68
   19	Ricoh	$55,208	$26.54
   20	Tel Tech Networks	$54,901	$26.39

4. Writing a radio frequency technician job description

   A radio frequency technician job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a radio frequency technician job description:

   Radio frequency technician job description example

   · Ability to work business hours M-F 8am to 4:30pm

   · Rotating on-call weekly shift, able to respond to an emergency service call 24/7

   · Reporting to customer locations all over NY and NJ, dispatched from home location and/or office

   · Issued a company service vehicle and gas card

   Job Requirements and responsibilities :

   · High School Diploma or GED

   · 3 Years industry experience

   · Interfacing with the customers and be a brand ambassador.

   · Follow the company's "Opportunity to Close Out Process" and others as required.

   · Troubleshoot, maintain and repair LMR analog, DMR, P25, and trunked digital RF systems

   · Create system-wide code plug templates for customer radio systems

   · Program portable and mobile radios using correct software and cables

   · Test, analyze, diagnose, and repair antenna lines and antennas.

   · Run RF cabling, antenna lines and CAT5/6 Cabling as needed.

   · Cut, splice, and terminate wiring with correct endpoints and hardware as needed.

   · Operate a spectrum analyzer and use results to diagnose system issues.

   · Stage and install RF microwave point to point systems.

   · Rack and build RF systems per engineering documents and best practices.

   · Respond to customer emergency service calls after hours during on-call shift rotation.

   · Program, maintain, troubleshoot RF transmitters, receivers, multiplexers, and duplexers.

   · Properly install combiners, 4 post and 2 post server racks, outdoor and indoor server cabinets.

   · Troubleshoot and install voters, GPS boards, power amplifiers, cooling fans, etc.

   · Understand AC/DC voltage and power systems.

   · Install power supplies, distribution panels, backup power systems and batteries.

   · Properly install vehicle mounted mobile radios, speakers, handsets, and wire for power.

   · Operate a Service Monitor, TIMS set, and a multimeter to diagnose and repair RF systems.

   · Test for signal strength and evaluate BDA needs.

   · Install, service and maintain BDA systems, DAS and in building PA station alerting.

   · Maintain all company issued tools and equipment and ensure serviceability.

   · Maintain company issued vehicle and ensure it is serviced at regular intervals.

   · Work closely with Service Coordinator & Project Manager to ensure timely completion of work.

   · Assist Service Coordinator as needed with customer and job information.

   · Assist Sales Rep with quote development by reviewing parts lists and hour estimation.

   · Work with RF engineer to site walk and scope out potential work for quote development.

   · Work with RF engineer to develop scope of work.

   · Assist other technicians with on-site installation and remote support.

   · Report to job site on time as directed with all necessary tools, parts and equipment as directed.

   An additional consideration for :

   · Technical training and certifications (OSHA, R56, Motorola, Kenwood, Harris, etc.)

   · Related military experience/MOS training

   · Electrical Engineering or Computer Science degree

   Skills :

   · Ability to work independently and as an active member of a team

   · Strong multitasking, time management and prioritization skills

   · Excellent organizational skills and initiative

   · Strong foundation and understanding of technology

   · Ability to follow a detailed process

   · Self-motivated and directed

   · Understanding of Ohms law and basic low voltage electrical work

   · Ability to troubleshoot and diagno

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right radio frequency technician for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your radio frequency technician job on Zippia to find and recruit radio frequency technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting radio frequency technicians requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new radio frequency technician

   Once you have selected a candidate for the radio frequency technician position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a radio frequency technician?