Occupation · SOC 49-2022
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers
Install, set up, rearrange, or remove switching, distribution, routing, and dialing equipment used in central offices or headends. Service or repair telephone, cable television, Internet, and other communications equipment on customers' property. May install communications equipment or communications wiring in buildings.
Median wage
$62,630
$42,440–$94,970
Projected growth
-4.1%
Declining
Annual openings
-660
per year
Employed (US)
153,890
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
42 mapped
Core skills
TroubleshootingRepairingCritical ThinkingOperations MonitoringQuality Control AnalysisActive ListeningEquipment MaintenanceComplex Problem Solving
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceTelecommunicationsComputers and ElectronicsEnglish LanguageMathematics
Technology & tools
Web platform development softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareOperating system softwareNetwork security and virtual private network VPN equipment softwareAnalytical or scientific software
Representative tasks
Demonstrate equipment to customers and explain its use, responding to any inquiries or complaints.Test circuits and components of malfunctioning telecommunications equipment to isolate sources of malfunctions, using test meters, circuit diagrams, polarity probes, and other hand tools.Test repaired, newly installed, or updated equipment to ensure that it functions properly and conforms to specifications, using test equipment and observation.Climb poles and ladders, use truck-mounted booms, and enter areas such as manholes and cable vaults to install, maintain, or inspect equipment.Assemble and install communication equipment such as data and telephone communication lines, wiring, switching equipment, wiring frames, power apparatus, computer systems, and networks.Run wires between components and to outside cable systems, connecting them to wires from telephone poles or underground cable accesses.Test connections to ensure that power supplies are adequate and that communications links function.Inspect equipment on a regular basis to ensure proper functioning.Note differences in wire and cable colors so that work can be performed correctly.Collaborate with other workers to locate and correct malfunctions.Remove loose wires and other debris after work is completed.Repair or replace faulty equipment, such as defective and damaged telephones, wires, switching system components, and associated equipment.Maintain computer and manual records pertaining to facilities and equipment.Communicate with bases, using telephones or two-way radios to receive instructions or technical advice, or to report equipment status.Remove and remake connections to change circuit layouts, following work orders or diagrams.Clean and maintain tools, test equipment, and motor vehicles.Perform database verifications, using computers.Request support from technical service centers when on-site procedures fail to solve installation or maintenance problems.Analyze test readings, computer printouts, and trouble reports to determine equipment repair needs and required repair methods.Adjust or modify equipment to enhance equipment performance or to respond to customer requests.Remove and replace plug-in circuit equipment.Refer to manufacturers' manuals to obtain maintenance instructions pertaining to specific malfunctions.Dig holes or trenches as necessary for equipment installation and access.Review manufacturer's instructions, manuals, technical specifications, building permits, and ordinances to determine communication equipment requirements and procedures.Drive crew trucks to and from work areas.Route and connect cables and lines to switches, switchboard equipment, and distributing frames, using wire-wrap guns or soldering irons to connect wires to terminals.Designate cables available for use.Diagnose and correct problems from remote locations, using special switchboards to find the sources of problems.Program computerized switches and switchboards to provide requested features.Enter codes needed to correct electronic switching system programming.Examine telephone transmission facilities to determine requirements for new or additional telephone services.Measure distances from landmarks to identify exact installation sites for equipment.Install updated software and programs that maintain existing software or provide requested features, such as time-correlated call routing.Perform routine maintenance on equipment, including adjusting and lubricating components and painting worn or exposed areas.Determine viability of sites through observation, and discuss site locations and construction requirements with customers.Install telephone station equipment, such as intercommunication systems, transmitters, receivers, relays, and ringers, and related apparatus, such as coin collectors, telephone booths, and switching-key equipment.Clean switches and replace contact points, using vacuum hoses, solvents, and hand tools.Provide input into the design and manufacturing of new equipment.Address special issues or situations, such as illegal or unauthorized use of equipment, or cases of electrical or acoustic shock.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Basic hand tools and test meters — identify and handle correctly under direct supervision on a telecommunications installation job site.Wire and cable color codes — recognize and differentiate to support accurate connection tasks during supervised training assignments.Telephone and data communication wiring — assist in running cables between components following labeled diagrams under technician guidance.Newly installed telecommunications equipment — observe and document post-installation test results as directed by a senior technician.Circuit diagrams and wiring schematics — read and interpret basic layouts to locate connection points during entry-level installation work.Personal protective equipment and site safety protocols — apply consistently when entering manholes, cable vaults, or elevated work areas.Ladders and truck-mounted booms — use under close supervision to access equipment mounting points at residential or commercial sites.Customer inquiries about newly installed equipment — listen actively and relay questions or concerns to a supervising technician for resolution.Standard switching equipment and wiring frames — assist in assembling components according to step-by-step instructions on structured cabling projects.Power supply connections — support testing procedures to confirm adequate voltage levels under direct technician oversight.
developing
Malfunctioning telecommunications equipment — isolate fault sources independently using test meters, polarity probes, and circuit diagrams on routine service calls.Repaired or updated communication systems — perform post-repair functional tests and verify conformance to specifications using approved test equipment.Data and telephone communication lines — install and terminate wiring runs from distribution frames to customer premises with minimal oversight.Poles, ladders, and truck-mounted booms — climb and operate safely and efficiently to install or maintain aerial telecommunications equipment.Wire and cable color differentiation — apply color-code knowledge consistently to complete accurate splicing and cross-connection tasks on active networks.Computer systems and network components — assemble and configure standard telecommunications hardware in office or commercial environments following documented procedures.Communications links and power supply connections — test and validate circuit continuity and signal quality after installation or repair activities.Customers receiving new or upgraded equipment — explain device operation clearly, demonstrate features, and address common questions or complaints professionally.Equipment maintenance schedules — perform routine preventive maintenance on telecommunications hardware and log findings in service management systems.Underground cable access points — enter and work safely in confined spaces such as manholes to inspect, connect, or repair cable infrastructure.
proficient
Complex or intermittent telecommunications faults — diagnose and resolve autonomously using advanced test equipment, systems analysis, and deductive reasoning across diverse site environments.Non-standard wiring configurations and legacy switching equipment — adapt installation and repair approaches to meet specifications without precedent-specific guidance.Newly installed and repaired equipment — conduct comprehensive functional and performance testing, interpreting results against technical specifications to confirm full system compliance.Network security and VPN equipment software — configure and verify secure communications links on enterprise telecommunications installations.CAD and GIS tools — use to plan cable routing, document infrastructure layouts, and support accurate field installations on large-scale broadband projects.Escalated customer complaints regarding service quality — investigate root causes, implement corrective actions, and communicate technical resolutions clearly to non-technical stakeholders.Full-scope telecommunications infrastructure — manage installation of integrated systems including fiber, copper, and wireless components across multi-site commercial deployments.Critical safety judgments in elevated or confined-space environments — apply independently, adjusting work methods when hazards deviate from expected conditions.Operating system and communications server software — install, configure, and troubleshoot to restore telecommunications platform functionality with minimal service disruption.Analytical and expert system software — apply to monitor network performance, identify systemic issues, and recommend infrastructure improvements based on data trends.
advanced
Organizational troubleshooting standards and repair workflows — develop and implement to improve diagnostic efficiency and reduce mean-time-to-repair across regional technician teams.Emerging telecommunications technologies and installation methodologies — evaluate and integrate into company practices, ensuring the workforce remains current with industry evolution.Junior and mid-level technicians — mentor and coach in fault diagnosis, safety compliance, and customer communication to accelerate professional development.Technical training curricula for installation and repair competencies — design and deliver for new hires and apprentices aligned with Job Zone 3 qualification standards.Quality assurance programs for telecommunications installations — establish metrics, audit field work, and lead continuous improvement initiatives across service territories.Complex, high-stakes telecommunications projects — lead planning, resource allocation, and execution for enterprise or municipal infrastructure deployments.Cross-functional relationships with engineering, operations, and customer service teams — coordinate to align telecommunications installation strategies with broader organizational objectives.Organizational safety culture in aerial, subterranean, and confined-space work environments — champion policy development and enforce compliance at the leadership level.Technology procurement decisions for test equipment, tools, and software platforms — advise and influence based on operational needs and long-term infrastructure strategy.Telecommunications systems performance data — analyze at organizational scale to identify capability gaps, prioritize capital investments, and present findings to senior leadership.
Also known as
336 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Cable TV Tech (Cable Television Technician)PBX Mechanic (Private Branch Exchange Mechanic)Telegraph MechanicSwitch TechnicianStation RepairerTactical Air Control Party (TACP) Craftsman (Air Force 1Z371)Low Voltage Technician (Low Voltage Tech)Communications Operator (Navy 001215)AN/USQ-82(V) Data Multiplex System Technician (Navy V72B)Missile And Space Systems Maintenance Helper (Air Force 2M012)Communications Equipment InstallerCommunication Equipment RepairerSpecial Reconnaissance Apprentice (Air Force 1Z431)Teletype AdjusterEquipment MechanicTelegraph InstallerTest WorkerTechnician, Plant and MaintenanceTransmissions Chief (Marine Corps 0629)Facility ExaminerSwitch Box InstallerIntelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) Systems Engineer (Marine Corps 2651)SwitchmanSwitchboard WirerSSGN Navigation Maintenance Electronics Technician (Navy T16A)Submarine Cable Equipment TechnicianAutomatic-Equipment TechnicianFrame WirerAviation RADAR Technician (Marine Corps 5948)Relay AdjusterMultiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)/High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) Crewmember (Army 13M)Cable and Antenna Systems (Air Force 3D1X7)Field Artillery Radar Operator (Marine Corps 0842)Station InspectorCall Circuit WorkerTest DeskmanSatellite Communications Antenna InstallerCryptologic Technician (Technical) (Navy CTT)Cable and Antenna Systems Apprentice (Air Force 3D137)Call Box Wirer