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Install and repair telecommunications cable, including fiber optics.
Ability to work at heights. Telecom technicians must be comfortable working at heights on lifts, telecommunications towers, and other elevated surfaces.
Color vision. Telecom technicians work with color-coded wires, and they must be able to tell them apart.
Customer-service skills. Telecom technicians who work in customers’ homes and offices should be friendly and polite. They must be able to explain to customers about maintaining and operating communications equipment.
Dexterity. Telecom technicians’ tasks, such as connecting components and using handtools, require good hand–eye coordination to avoid injuring themselves and damaging materials.
Mechanical skills. Telecom technicians must be familiar with the devices they work on and with the tools they need to install or fix those devices. They must also be able to understand manufacturers’ instructions when installing or repairing equipment.
Physical stamina. Telecom technicians must be able to climb ladders or towers with heavy tools or equipment, work on their feet for extended periods, and dig trenches for telecommunications cables.
Physical strength. Telecom technicians must be able to lift heavy tools, cables, and equipment on a regular basis.
Problem-solving skills. Telecom technicians must be able to troubleshoot and devise solutions to problems that arise when installing or repairing equipment or devices.
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Characteristics of this Career |
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88% | Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. | |
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87% | Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. | |
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85% | Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. | |
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85% | Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. | |
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83% | Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical. | |
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81% | Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations. | |
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79% | Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. | |
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78% | Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job. | |
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75% | Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks. | |
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74% | Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. | |
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74% | Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. | |
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74% | Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. | |
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74% | Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. | |
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69% | Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Strengths |
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95% | Realistic - Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Values of the Work Environment |
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67% | Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Abilities | Cognitive, Physical, Personality |
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66% | Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. | |
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66% | Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. | |
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66% | Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent |
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96% | Outdoors, Exposed to Weather - How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions? | |
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95% | In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment - How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or equipment (e.g., car)? | |
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95% | Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it? | |
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94% | Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets - How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets? | |
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92% | Telephone - How often do you have telephone conversations in this job? | |
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90% | Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls - How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls? | |
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89% | Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines? | |
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88% | Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? | |
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86% | Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job? | |
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85% | Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job? | |
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82% | Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job? | |
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80% | Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals? | |
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79% | Exposed to Contaminants - How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)? | |
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78% | Exposed to Hazardous Equipment - How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment? | |
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77% | Very Hot or Cold Temperatures - How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures? | |
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76% | Frequency of Decision Making - How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization? | |
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75% | Exposed to High Places - How often does this job require exposure to high places? | |
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75% | Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in non-controlled environmental conditions (e.g., warehouse without heat)? | |
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75% | Deal With External Customers - How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job? | |
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73% | Spend Time Standing - How much does this job require standing? | |
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70% | Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions - How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions? | |
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68% | Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions - How much does this job require making repetitive motions? | |
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67% | Exposed to Hazardous Conditions - How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions? | |
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67% | Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings - How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings? | |
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66% | Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions? | |
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66% | Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer? | |
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66% | Responsible for Others' Health and Safety - How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job? | |
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70% | Duration of Typical Work Week - Number of hours typically worked in one week. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Tasks & Values |
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86% | Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials. | |
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80% | Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft. | |
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76% | Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. | |
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75% | Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. | |
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75% | Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. | |
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73% | Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. | |
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72% | Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. | |
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72% | Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. | |
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71% | Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. | |
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71% | Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. | |
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70% | Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. | |
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68% | Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests. | |
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67% | Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. |
Telecommunications technicians, also known as telecom technicians, install and maintain telecommunications infrastructure. They set up and fix different types of devices or equipment that carry communications signals, such as internet routers and fiber optic lines.
Telecommunications technicians typically do the following:
Telecommunications technicians construct and maintain the infrastructure that transmits information electronically, often across great distances. They install and repair telecommunications lines and fiber optic cables. They also set up and maintain equipment that carries communications signals.
The specific tasks of telecom technicians vary with their specialization and where they work. The following are examples of types of telecommunications technicians:
Radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairers install, repair, or maintain radio transmitting, broadcasting, and receiving equipment and two-way radio communications systems. These systems are used in cellular telecommunications, mobile broadband, and radio equipment in service and emergency vehicles. Radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairers may test and analyze network coverage and troubleshoot solutions during network outages.
Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers set up and maintain various types of devices or equipment that carry communications signals, such as telephone lines and internet routers. Central office technicians set up and maintain switches, fiber optic cables, and other equipment at switching hubs, called central offices. These hubs send, process, and amplify data from thousands of telephone, internet, and cable connections. Central office technicians receive alerts about equipment malfunctions from automonitoring switches and are able to correct the problems remotely. Technicians who work at distribution centers for cable and television companies may be called headend technicians. Headends are control centers in which technicians monitor signals for local cable networks. Residential and business installers and repairers set up and repair telecommunications equipment, such as modems for internet and cable television services, in customers’ homes and businesses. They also may need to install aerial and underground wiring.
Telecommunications line installers and repairers install and maintain the cables used by network communications companies. Depending on the service provided—local and long-distance telephone, cable television, or internet—telecommunications companies use fiber optic and other types of cables. Telecommunications line installers and repairers use specialized tools to test and troubleshoot cables and networking equipment. Those who work with fiber optic cables must be able to splice and terminate optical cables.
Telecommunications technicians held about 299,300 jobs in 2022. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up telecommunications technicians was distributed as follows:
| Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers | 173,700 |
| Telecommunications line installers and repairers | 112,100 |
| Radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairers | 13,500 |
The largest employers of telecommunications technicians were as follows:
| Telecommunications | 59% |
| Specialty trade contractors | 14 |
| Heavy and civil engineering construction | 6 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 4 |
| Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services | 3 |
Some telecom technicians provide installation and repair services indoors, such as in homes, businesses, or central offices. Others work outdoors to install telecommunications cables and equipment.
Telecom technicians’ work may require them to climb onto rooftops; into attics; and up ladders, telephone poles, and telecommunications towers. They occasionally work in cramped spaces and in awkward positions, including stooping, crouching, or crawling. Other times they must reach high or lift and move heavy equipment and parts.
The work of telecom technicians can be dangerous. Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers and telecommunications line installers and repairers have some of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Common injuries include falls and strains.
To reduce the risk of injury, workers wear hardhats and harnesses when working on ladders or on elevated equipment. To prevent electrical shock, technicians may switch off power to equipment that is under repair.
Most telecom technicians work full time. Telecom technicians may be required to work night or weekend shifts to maintain or upgrade telecommunications equipment. Some are on call around the clock in case of emergency.
Telecommunications technicians typically need at least a high school diploma or equivalent to enter the occupation. Employers may prefer to hire candidates who have a certificate or associate’s degree. These workers also receive on-the-job training.
Telecommunications technicians typically need at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Employers of telecommunications equipment installers and repairers and radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairers may prefer to hire candidates who have some postsecondary education in electronics, telecommunications, or computer networking. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have an associate’s degree.
Community colleges and technical schools offer courses in subjects such as data transmission systems, data communication, AC/DC electrical circuits, and computer programming. These courses typically are included in programs that lead to a certificate or an associate’s degree in telecommunications or related subjects.
Once hired, telecommunications technicians typically receive on-the-job training that lasts from several months to several years. Training involves a combination of formal instruction and hands-on work with an experienced technician. In these settings, workers learn about the equipment’s internal parts and the tools needed for repair.
Training length and topics vary by position and employer. For example, central office technicians typically receive electrical training. Telecommunications line installers and repairers who work for telecommunications companies may benefit from additional training provided by equipment manufacturers, schools, unions, or industry organizations. Radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairers typically learn subjects such as tower climbing and rescue, electrical skills and concepts, and radio frequency fundamentals.
Manufacturer or employer-provided certification may be helpful for some telecom technicians. For example, the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers offers the Broadband Telecom Center Specialist (BTCS) certification, and the Fiber Optic Association offers multiple fiber optic certifications for telecommunications line installers and repairers.
Telecom technicians may need a driver’s license to travel to jobsites, and workers who drive heavy vehicles usually need a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Some employers prefer or require that candidates have certification in first aid or in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Overall employment of telecommunications technicians is projected to grow 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 31,500 openings for telecommunications technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment of telecommunications technicians is expected to grow as telecommunications providers construct new infrastructure where it did not exist previously and as existing wired telecommunications equipment is upgraded to fiber optic cable with improved capabilities. Telecom line installers will be needed to install cables, and telecom equipment installers will be needed to install devices and to connect customers’ homes and businesses.
For information about career, training, and certification opportunities for telecommunications technicians, visit
National Coalition for Telecommunications Education and Learning
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of telecommunications technicians.
| Occupation | Job Duties | Entry-Level Education | Median Annual Pay, May 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Broadcast, Sound, and Video Technicians |
Broadcast, sound, and video technicians set up, operate, and maintain the electrical equipment for media programs. |
See How to Become One | $53,960 |
|
Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers |
Electrical and electronics installers and repairers install or repair a variety of electrical equipment. |
See How to Become One | $64,190 |
|
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers |
Electrical power-line installers and repairers install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $82,340 |