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Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers

Arts, Audio/Video Technology and CommunicationsO*NET 49-2022.00United States

Install, set up, rearrange, or remove switching, distribution, routing, and dialing equipment used in central offices or headends. Service or repair telephone, cable television, Internet, and other communications equipment on customers' property.

COMING SOON See related ASU learning
Median annual earnings
$63,397

50th percentile, United States

Projected change
−1.8%

2025 to 2035

Typical education
High school diploma or less

43.1% of the workforce

Employment
154.79K jobs

Growing to 151.96K by 2035

Explore this career by location

Compare nationwide estimates with state or county job-market data.

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Build the skills

ASU learning related to this career

These courses and certificates are connected through catalog career relationships and Lightcast skill tags.

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The work

What telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers do

Tasks reported for this occupation, ordered by how often they come up in the role.

  • Demonstrate equipment to customers and explain its use, responding to any inquiries or complaints.
  • Test circuits and components of malfunctioning telecommunications equipment to isolate sources of malfunctions, using test meters, circuit diagrams, polarity probes, and other hand tools.
  • Test repaired, newly installed, or updated equipment to ensure that it functions properly and conforms to specifications, using test equipment and observation.
  • Assemble and install communication equipment such as data and telephone communication lines, wiring, switching equipment, wiring frames, power apparatus, computer systems, and networks.
  • Climb poles and ladders, use truck-mounted booms, and enter areas such as manholes and cable vaults to install, maintain, or inspect equipment.
  • Run wires between components and to outside cable systems, connecting them to wires from telephone poles or underground cable accesses.
  • Note differences in wire and cable colors so that work can be performed correctly.
  • Inspect equipment on a regular basis to ensure proper functioning.
  • Test connections to ensure that power supplies are adequate and that communications links function.
  • Repair or replace faulty equipment, such as defective and damaged telephones, wires, switching system components, and associated equipment.
  • Remove loose wires and other debris after work is completed.
  • Collaborate with other workers to locate and correct malfunctions.
  • Maintain computer and manual records pertaining to facilities and equipment.
  • Communicate with bases, using telephones or two-way radios to receive instructions or technical advice, or to report equipment status.
  • Remove and remake connections to change circuit layouts, following work orders or diagrams.
  • Clean and maintain tools, test equipment, and motor vehicles.
  • Request support from technical service centers when on-site procedures fail to solve installation or maintenance problems.
  • Perform database verifications, using computers.
  • Analyze test readings, computer printouts, and trouble reports to determine equipment repair needs and required repair methods.
  • Adjust or modify equipment to enhance equipment performance or to respond to customer requests.
  • Remove and replace plug-in circuit equipment.
  • Refer to manufacturers' manuals to obtain maintenance instructions pertaining to specific malfunctions.
  • Dig holes or trenches as necessary for equipment installation and access.
  • Review manufacturer's instructions, manuals, technical specifications, building permits, and ordinances to determine communication equipment requirements and procedures.

Pay and outlook

What the job pays and where it is heading

Annual earnings range

Reported earnings by percentile, United States

10th percentile
$43,242
25th percentile
$50,949
50th percentile
$63,397
75th percentile
$81,523
90th percentile
$97,968

The gold marker shows the median. Half earn more than $63,397 and half earn less.

Employment outlook

2025 to 2035 projection

−1.8%projected to decline
2025154,787 jobs
2035 projected151,958 jobs

2,829 fewer positions over the decade, before replacement hiring.

Preparation

Education levels

What people currently working in the career hold. These are not entry requirements.

High school diploma or less
43.1%
Certificate
21.4%
Bachelor's degree
17.4%
Some college
10.4%
Associate degree
7.8%

Skills

Skills employers ask for

Technical skills appearing most often in job postings for this occupation.

  • Telecommunications
  • Hand Tools
  • Good Driving Record
  • Lifting Ability
  • Field Service Management
  • Electrical Wiring
  • Structured Cabling
  • Fiber Optics
  • Technical Issues
  • Network Infrastructure
  • Test Equipment
  • Operating Systems
  • Screwdrivers
  • Technical Support
  • Network Routing
  • Help Desk Support
  • Punching (Cabling)
  • Point Of Sale
  • Project Management
  • Effective Communication

How the work gets done

Core competencies

Broad capabilities associated with strong performance in this occupation.

Troubleshooting
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Repairing
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Quality Control Analysis
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Equipment Maintenance
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Installation
Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Equipment Selection
Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Systems Analysis
Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

In the market

Job titles and employers

Recent job postings in United States

Common job titles

  1. 01Field Technicians8,438 postings
  2. 02Installation Technicians1,922 postings
  3. 03Field Service Technicians1,489 postings
  4. 04Telecommunications Technicians1,454 postings
  5. 05Utility Locators1,111 postings
  6. 06Broadband Technicians808 postings
  7. 07Network Field Technicians665 postings
  8. 08Fiber Technicians525 postings
  9. 09Low Voltage Technicians500 postings
  10. 10Technicians487 postings
  11. 11Communications Technicians463 postings
  12. 12Field Service Professionals462 postings
  13. 13Installation/Telecommunication Technicians455 postings
  14. 14Installers409 postings
  15. 15Field Engineers321 postings
  16. 16Fiber Splicers272 postings
  17. 17Quality Control Technicians259 postings
  18. 18Service Technicians255 postings
  19. 19Network Technicians237 postings
  20. 20Telecommunications Field Technicians226 postings

Top employers

  1. 01EchoStar3,376 postings
  2. 02Hardy Industries2,747 postings
  3. 03Spectrum1,558 postings
  4. 04USIC1,066 postings
  5. 05Vivint754 postings
  6. 06Field Operations708 postings
  7. 07Southern Star529 postings
  8. 08MasTec522 postings
  9. 09TDS Telecom508 postings
  10. 10Cci Systems322 postings
  11. 11Lumen Technologies247 postings
  12. 12Satellites Unlimited246 postings
  13. 13NRG Energy243 postings
  14. 14Best Buy227 postings
  15. 15Hello Tech206 postings
  16. 16Astound.Us202 postings
  17. 17Leaf At Home LTD195 postings
  18. 18TEKsystems181 postings
  19. 19AT&T178 postings
  20. 20Mobile Technologies167 postings

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