Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers fall under the Installation, Maintenance, and Repair category in the U.S. occupational classification. Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers earn a median salary of $62,630 per year, ranking in the top 43% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -4.2% job growth through 2034, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Entry into this field typically requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers earn?

The median annual wage for telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers is $62,630. That puts telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers at #349 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers is -4.2%, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Employment is projected to move from approximately 156K positions in 2024 to 150K in 2034, a net change of -6K. A declining outlook does not mean the field is disappearing; it means automation, demographics, or substitution effects are shrinking the pool of openings. Students entering a declining field should plan for adjacent skills that transfer to growing roles.

What do telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Test repaired, newly installed, or updated equipment to ensure that it functions properly and conforms to specifications, using test equipment and observation.
2. 2.Climb poles and ladders, use truck-mounted booms, and enter areas such as manholes and cable vaults to install, maintain, or inspect equipment.
3. 3.Remove loose wires and other debris after work is completed.
4. 4.Maintain computer and manual records pertaining to facilities and equipment.
5. 5.Communicate with bases, using telephones or two-way radios to receive instructions or technical advice, or to report equipment status.
6. 6.Perform database verifications, using computers.
7. 7.Dig holes or trenches as necessary for equipment installation and access.
8. 8.Review manufacturer's instructions, manuals, technical specifications, building permits, and ordinances to determine communication equipment requirements and procedures.

Top skills for telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installer?

Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers typically enter the field through a formal apprenticeship, technical certification, or vocational training program — a strong fit for teens who prefer hands-on learning over traditional college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

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Common questions parents ask about telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers