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.
Postsecondary nondegree award
None
Moderate-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.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers, work in a technical field that blends mechanical ability, technology, and customer interaction. National employment stands at 157,000, indicating a sizable workforce. While projected employment growth is -4.2%, there are an estimated 13,000 annual openings, reflecting ongoing hiring needs due to factors such as turnover or replacement. The national median annual salary of $62,630 places this occupation in a pay range that can be attractive to individuals who want to work with hands-on equipment and technology. The role relies on a mix of mechanical, computer, and problem-solving skills, plus physical strength, fine motor skills, and customer service. Typical entry requires a postsecondary nondegree award, which may appeal to people seeking a technical career pathway that does not require a bachelor’s degree. For students, career changers, and experienced workers, this field offers a clearly defined skill profile and multiple geographic options to consider.
The national median annual salary for telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers, is $62,630. Pay can vary significantly by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, median salaries range from $67,710 in New York up to $77,610 in Washington. California, Massachusetts, and Colorado are all near the upper end, with median salaries of $76,630, $76,500, and $76,410 respectively. At the metro level, salary differences are even more pronounced. The San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area shows a median of $92,290, and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA reports $87,950. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ offers $75,900, while Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH stands at $78,240 and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV at $69,800. These figures highlight how choosing certain metros or states can significantly influence earning potential within this occupation.
Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers, have national employment of 157,000 workers. Projected employment growth for this occupation is -4.2%, indicating a decline in total jobs over the projection period. However, the field is still expected to have about 13,000 annual openings. This combination means that, even as overall employment decreases, there will continue to be hiring activity, primarily driven by the need to replace workers who leave the occupation or the labor force. Individuals considering this career should pay attention both to the negative growth rate and to the continuing flow of openings when evaluating long-term prospects. Location choice also matters, since all listed states and metros share the same projected -4.2% growth but differ in salaries, employment size, and opportunity scores. For someone already in the field, these data points can help in planning whether to remain, advance, or transition to related roles over time.
Location plays a major role in opportunities for telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers. Among states, California has the highest employment at 14,040 and a median salary of $76,630, with an opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts and New York each show opportunity scores above 65, with median salaries of $76,500 and $67,710 and employment levels of 2,890 and 6,240 respectively. Colorado and Washington both offer median salaries above $76,000 and opportunity scores in the mid-50s, with employment around 3,200. At the metro level, differences become even more distinct. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ both have opportunity scores above 77, with median salaries of $87,950 and $75,900. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA stands out for a median salary of $92,290. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH also combine sizable employment with solid salaries and opportunity scores in the 60s.
The typical education requirement for telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers, is a postsecondary nondegree award. This makes the occupation accessible to individuals who want technical training beyond high school without committing to a full bachelor’s degree. Success in this field relies on a distinct mix of skills. Mechanical ability and fine motor skills support work with equipment and components. Computers and information technology skills are important for interacting with modern systems. Problem solving and decision making, along with critical and analytical thinking, help professionals diagnose and address issues. Physical strength and stamina play a role, as does adaptability in handling changing conditions or tasks. Customer service skills are also emphasized, highlighting the importance of working effectively with end users or clients. Mathematics and science round out the profile, indicating that a comfort level with quantitative and technical concepts is valuable in training and on the job.
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