List of tallest structures in the United States


The height of structures in the United States has been poorly documented. However, the data is a matter of public record, appearing in documents maintained by the Federal Aviation Administration and Federal Communications Commission.
This list is populated heavily by antenna masts. The engineering aspects of super-tall masts are highly specialized. Only four companies erect the majority of such structures: Doty Moore Tower Services ; Kline Towers ; LeBlanc Royal Telecom ; and Stainless Inc.. The design and construction are largely governed by RS222E Electronic Industries Alliance standards. A mast costs between $0.7 and $1.1 million to build, while a mast costs $2.4 to $4 million. Prices generally vary depending on tower capacity and wind loading specifications.
A common misperception is that landmarks such as the Stratosphere Tower are the tallest United States structures, but they are in fact the tallest buildings. Likewise Taipei 101 was often misrepresented as the world's tallest structure, but in fact is far eclipsed by antenna towers in over a dozen states in the United States and in other countries.
In the United States, the FAA and the FCC must approve all towers exceeding in height. Furthermore, it is very difficult to get permission for structures over high. The FCC presumes them to be inconsistent with the public interest, while the FAA presumes them to be a hazard to air navigation, resulting in poor airspace usage. A significant burden of proof is placed on the applicant to show that such a structure is in the public's best interests. Only when both agencies have resolved all legal, safety, and management concerns is such an application approved.
Since 1978 the United States has maintained eleven tethered aerostats sites along the southern borders. These balloons rise to, carrying radar units for drug interdiction purposes. However, since the balloons are aided by buoyancy and are not permanent they are not considered true structures.

State-by-state listing

Alabama

Height data according to FCC's ASR entries.

Utah

An incomplete lists of tallest structures in Puerto Rico. Main reference: U.S. Federal Communications Commission database
StructureHeight Height Year builtStructure TypeUsePlaceComments
Aguada VLF transmission mast367.3 m?Guyed mastVLF/LF-transmissionAguadaoperated by US Navy
Telemundo WKAQ TV Tower336.8 m1971Guyed mastUHF/VHF-transmissionCayey-
Cayey Pegasus Broadcasting Tower332.5 m1966Guyed mastUHF/VHF-transmissionCayeyDestroyed by Hurricane Maria - Sept 20, 2017
Arso Radio Tower208 m1996Guyed mastUHF/VHF-transmissionCabo Rojo
La Cadena del Milagro Tower167 m1991Lattice towerUHF/VHF-transmissionUtuadoDestroyed by Hurricane Maria - Sept 20, 2017
Arecibo Observatory150 m1963Radio telescopeRadio and Radar astronomyAreciboWorld's largest radio telescope

By structural type

Tallest structures in the United States for different uses/structural types. Please expand and/or correct, if necessary
CategoryStructureCityHeight
Guyed mastKVLY-TV mastBlanchard, ND
SkyscraperOne World Trade CenterNew York City, NY
Guyed mast insulated against groundVLF transmitter LualualeiLualualei, HI
ChimneyHomer City Generating StationHomer City, PA
Concrete towerStratosphere TowerLas Vegas, NV
Free-standing lattice towerWITI TV TowerShorewood, WI
BridgeRoyal Gorge BridgeCañon City, CO
Suspension BridgeGolden Gate BridgeSan Francisco, CA
DamOroville DamOroville, CA
MasonryAnaconda Smelter StackAnaconda, MT
Monumental columnSan Jacinto MonumentLa Porte, TX
StoneWashington MonumentWashington, DC
Industrial buildingVABKennedy Space Center, FL
ChurchSt. Patrick's CathedralNew York City, NY
Aerial tramway support pillarRoosevelt Island TramwayNew York City, NY