The telecommunications industry includes many different types of jobs, from administrative to engineering. However, telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, line installers and repairers, and electronics engineers are three careers that have large employment. Each requires different levels of education and job training in order to get started.
Essential Information
Telecommunications facilitates long-distance communication via technology, such as TV and radio broadcasts, cable, telephones, satellite and the Internet. There are many employment options within the telecommunications industry, but most people work in the development and installation of telecommunications systems.
| Career Titles | Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers | Line Installers and Repairers | Electronics Engineers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education Requirements | A certificate or associate's degree in electronics repair or computer science | Variable; a high school diploma and on-the-job training OR an apprenticeship OR a certificate in telecommunications or electronics | A bachelor's degree in electronics engineering |
| Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)* | -3% | 0% | 1% |
| Median Annual Salary (May 2019)* | $57,910 | $72,520 | $105,570 |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Career Options
Because the telecommunications industry encompasses so many areas, there are a wide variety of jobs in the industry. Like other industries, the telecommunications field has administrative assistants, managers and other office workers. However, many jobs in the telecommunications industry are related to the development and maintenance of devices, lines, systems and networks used to facilitate communications. Among them are telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, line installers and repairers, and electronics engineers.
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers
There are many kinds of jobs available for those who install and maintain telecommunications-related equipment. Sometimes all of these jobs are lumped into the category of telecommunications technicians.
Cable installers connect a consumer's home to the cable that services the neighborhood. Wireless installers position and attach satellite dishes or antennas on the customer's home or property. Installers also might be called upon to make repairs to these connections and equipment. Since many installers interact directly with customers, they should have good communication skills and be able to answer questions clearly and accurately.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated that the median annual salary for telecommunications equipment installers and repairers was $57,910 in May 2019. It is estimated that jobs for these specialists would decline by 3% between 2019 and 2029.
Line Installers and Repairers
Line installers put in poles and cables that go to a customer's property. Sometimes they install equipment or lines inside a home or business. They also connect the main line to the customer's line. Other equipment installers repair and maintain communications equipment, including central office routing and switching equipment. Finding solutions to network-related problems also might be part of their job.
Service technicians set up, repair or maintain communications equipment. This equipment can include telephone, TV and Internet equipment and systems on a consumer's property. They might make service calls when the customer experiences a problem that can't be solved remotely. The median annual salary for line installers and repairers was $72,520 in 2019. There is projected little or no change in employment growth of 0% for line installers and repairers between 2019 and 2029.
Electronics Engineers
Electronics engineers create and develop various electronics machinery, including global positioning systems (GPS), communications products and broadcasting instrumentation. They test and maintain electronics equipment and make necessary repairs to improve performance.
The median annual salary for electronics engineers was $105,570 as of May 2019. Jobs for electronics engineers are expected to grow by 1% between 2019 and 2029.
The job outlook for the telecommunications industry varies greatly by each employment category. While each job has a distinctly different outlook and salary rate, they all require specific education and training to get started. A certificate or apprenticeship can work for telecommunications equipment and line installers and repairers, but electronic engineers take more education with the minimum of a bachelor's degree.
