Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Communications equipment operators, all other (43-2099) work in roles that rely on operating and managing specialized communication tools and systems. Nationally, employment is relatively small at 1,000 workers, which can make the field more niche. The occupation shows projected employment growth of 2.5%, indicating gradual expansion rather than rapid change. Typical entry into this field is accessible with a high school diploma or equivalent, which can appeal to candidates looking to build a career without a college degree. Strong customer service, speaking and listening, and interpersonal skills are central to success, supported by abilities in computers and information technology, fine motor skills, and attention to detail. Physical strength and stamina, mechanical aptitude, and solid reading and writing abilities are also important. For people who enjoy working with communication systems while interacting with others and applying practical skills, this career can offer a structured path with defined technical and people-focused expectations.
The national median annual salary for communications equipment operators, all other is $49,910. Earnings vary meaningfully by location. Among the top states ranked by opportunity score, California stands out with a median salary of $79,450, notably higher than the national median. Texas also exceeds the national figure with a median of $58,410. Massachusetts offers $54,500, while Ohio at $47,360 and North Carolina at $46,430 are slightly below the national median. At the metro level, the Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA area shows a median salary of $60,630, which is higher than the national median, while the San Juan–Bayamon–Caguas, PR area has a significantly lower median salary of $22,850. These differences highlight that location choice can have a substantial impact on earning potential within this occupation, even when the core work remains within the same job category.
Communications equipment operators, all other have national employment of 1,000 workers, indicating a relatively small occupational group. Projected employment growth is 2.5%, suggesting a modest expansion in opportunities over time. This growth rate is consistent across the top states and metro areas listed, each showing the same 2.5% projection. Annual openings are listed as 0, which signals that new or replacement positions may be limited or concentrated in specific locations or employers. For job seekers, this combination of small employment size, modest growth, and minimal listed annual openings means that opportunities may be more specialized and potentially competitive. Candidates may benefit from focusing on locations where employment levels are higher or where the opportunity score is stronger. Overall, the outlook suggests steady but limited hiring, making it important to monitor openings and be prepared with the key skills employers expect for this role.
Location plays a major role in opportunity for communications equipment operators, all other. Among states, California has the highest employment level at 450 and the highest median salary at $79,450, paired with an opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts, with employment of 40 and a median salary of $54,500, has a similarly strong opportunity score of 65.87, indicating a favorable combination of factors despite a smaller workforce. Texas offers employment of 110 and a median salary of $58,410, with an opportunity score of 51.57. Ohio and North Carolina show lower median salaries of $47,360 and $46,430 and smaller employment counts, reflected in more moderate opportunity scores of 42.84 and 37.25. At the metro level, Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA stands out with 170 employed, a median salary of $60,630, and an opportunity score of 62.99. In contrast, San Juan–Bayamon–Caguas, PR has 180 employed but a much lower median salary of $22,850 and an opportunity score of 26.40, underscoring significant regional differences.
The typical education requirement for communications equipment operators, all other is a high school diploma or equivalent. This makes the field accessible to individuals who complete secondary education and want to enter the workforce without pursuing a college degree. Success in this occupation relies heavily on a defined set of skills rather than advanced formal education. Important strengths include customer service, speaking and listening, and interpersonal abilities, which support effective interaction with others. Competence with computers and information technology, along with fine motor skills and being detail oriented, supports accurate and efficient work with communication equipment. Physical strength and stamina are also highlighted, signaling a potential need for sustained activity or handling equipment. Mechanical aptitude and solid writing and reading skills round out the profile. Together, these skills suggest that candidates who are comfortable combining people-oriented communication with hands-on, detail-focused tasks may be well-suited to this career path.
Use CareerGPS Pro to compare markets, understand the tradeoffs, and focus on the places with the strongest potential.
