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 $63,890 per year, ranking in the top 45% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -3.3% job growth through 2035, projected to lose jobs through 2035. 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 $63,890. That puts telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers at #374 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 -3.3%, projected to lose jobs through 2035. Employment is projected to move from approximately 143K positions in 2024 to 138K in 2034, a net change of <1K. 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 circuits and components of malfunctioning telecommunications equipment to isolate sources of malfunctions, using test meters, circuit diagrams, polarity probes, and other hand tools.
2. 2.Repair or replace faulty equipment, such as defective and damaged telephones, wires, switching system components, and associated equipment.
3. 3.Perform routine maintenance on equipment, including adjusting and lubricating components and painting worn or exposed areas.
4. 4.Note differences in wire and cable colors so that work can be performed correctly.
5. 5.Assemble and install communication equipment such as data and telephone communication lines, wiring, switching equipment, wiring frames, power apparatus, computer systems, and networks.
6. 6.Review manufacturer's instructions, manuals, technical specifications, building permits, and ordinances to determine communication equipment requirements and procedures.
7. 7.Refer to manufacturers' manuals to obtain maintenance instructions pertaining to specific malfunctions.
8. 8.Demonstrate equipment to customers and explain its use, responding to any inquiries or complaints.

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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• Medical Equipment Repairers
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• Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons
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Common questions parents ask about telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers