DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA
49-2021 Radio Mechanics
Occupational Description:
Repair, install or maintain mobile or stationary radio transmitting, broadcasting, and receiving equipment, and two-way radio communications systems used in cellular telecommunications, mobile broadband, ship-to-shore, aircraft-to-ground communications, and radio equipment in service and emergency vehicles. May test and analyze network coverage.| Percentiles | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | Employment | Emp SE* | Mean | Mean SE* | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
| Minnesota | 140 | 22 | $24.65/hr | $0.64/hr | $17.58/hr | $20.80/hr | $24.25/hr | $29.14/hr | $33.51/hr |
| U S | 12,920 | 1,111 | $21.74/hr | $0.43/hr | $12.88/hr | $15.84/hr | $20.71/hr | $27.19/hr | $33.24/hr |
| *SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate. | |||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation (click title for details) | OES | Projections | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | Median Wage | % Change 2010 - 2020 | |
| Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers | 3,040 | $30.11/hr | 8.1% |
| Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers | 1,520 | $18.77/hr | 31.6% |
| Electronic Home Entertainment Equipment Installers and Repairers | 300 | $17.40/hr | 16.1% |
| Sound Engineering Technicians | N/A | $22.54/hr | N/A |
Tasks for Radio Mechanics
- Locates defects, such as loose connections, broken wires, or burned-out components, using schematic diagrams, test equipment, and inspection tags.
- Inspects wiring and soldering, and performs repairs, using soldering iron, wire cutters, pliers, and wiring diagram.
- Tests equipment for power output, frequency, and calibration, using oscilloscope, circuit analyzer, frequency meter, wattmeter, ammeter, and voltmeter.
- Replaces defective components, such as conductors, resistors, semiconductors, and integrated circuits, using soldering iron, wire cutters, and hand tools.
- Removes and replaces defective units that are not repairable.
- Installs, tests, adjusts, modifies, and repairs intercommunication systems.
- Tests emergency transmitter to ensure readiness for immediate use.
- Inserts plugs into receptacles and bolts or screws leads to terminals to connect equipment to power source, using hand tools.
- Adjusts receivers for maximum sensitivity and transmitters for maximum output, using frequency meter.
- Monitors radio range station to detect flaws in transmission and adjusts controls to eliminate flaws.
- Tests noise level and audio quality, using audiometer.
- Tests batteries with hydrometer and ammeter, and charges batteries.