Occupation · SOC 49-9052
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers
Install and repair telecommunications cable, including fiber optics.
Median wage
$70,500
$42,940–$104,840
Projected growth
-3.1%
Declining
Annual openings
-310
per year
Employed (US)
98,360
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
28 mapped
Core skills
Complex Problem SolvingOperations MonitoringSpeakingCritical ThinkingEquipment MaintenanceCoordinationOperation and ControlTroubleshooting
Knowledge areas
TelecommunicationsCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguagePublic Safety and SecurityComputers and Electronics
Technology & tools
Computer aided design CAD softwareOperating system softwareCustomer relationship management CRM softwareElectronic mail softwareFacilities management software
Representative tasks
Set up service for customers, installing, connecting, testing, or adjusting equipment.Travel to customers' premises to install, maintain, or repair audio and visual electronic reception equipment or accessories.Measure signal strength at utility poles, using electronic test equipment.Inspect or test lines or cables, recording and analyzing test results, to assess transmission characteristics and locate faults or malfunctions.Splice cables, using hand tools, epoxy, or mechanical equipment.Access specific areas to string lines, or install terminal boxes, auxiliary equipment, or appliances, using bucket trucks, climbing poles or ladders, or entering tunnels, trenches, or crawl spaces.Clean or maintain tools or test equipment.String cables between structures and lines from poles, towers, or trenches, and pull lines to proper tension.Lay underground cable directly in trenches, or string it through conduits running through trenches.Pull up cable by hand from large reels mounted on trucks.Pull cable through ducts by hand or with winches.Dig trenches for underground wires or cables.Explain cable service to subscribers after installation, and collect any installation fees due.Place insulation over conductors, or seal splices with moisture-proof covering.Compute impedance of wires from poles to houses to determine additional resistance needed for reducing signals to desired levels.Install equipment such as amplifiers or repeaters to maintain the strength of communications transmissions.Use a variety of construction equipment to complete installations, such as digger derricks, trenchers, or cable plows.Fill and tamp holes, using cement, earth, and tamping devices.Dig holes for power poles, using power augers or shovels, set poles in place with cranes, and hoist poles upright, using winches.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Basic hand tools and safety gear — identify and handle under direct supervisor guidance at a residential installation site.Cable types and connector fittings — distinguish and select following written instructions during an entry-level field assignment.Customer premises equipment — assist with unpacking, positioning, and connecting under close technician supervision.Electronic test meters and signal-strength gauges — observe correct readings and record results on paper logs as directed.Pole-climbing harnesses and bucket-truck safety protocols — follow step-by-step procedures under direct supervision before ascending utility structures.Splicing hand tools and epoxy materials — prepare and organize prior to a supervised cable-splice task on a job site.Service activation checklists — complete each step in sequence under technician direction when setting up a new customer account.Tools and test equipment — clean and store according to posted maintenance schedules at the end of each shift.Work orders and route assignments — read and interpret with supervisor assistance to locate the correct customer address.Public safety and traffic-control guidelines — follow posted instructions when working in roadway or trench environments under direct oversight.
developing
Residential cable and telecommunications lines — string between structures and pull to specified tension with minimal oversight on standard installations.Signal-strength readings at utility poles — measure using electronic test equipment and document results accurately in a field log.Customer service appointments — manage arrival, conduct equipment installation, and confirm service activation with routine supervision.Coaxial and fiber-optic cables — splice using hand tools and mechanical equipment following standard operating procedures on familiar line types.Terminal boxes and auxiliary equipment — mount and connect in attics, crawl spaces, or trenches using appropriate climbing or access tools.Transmission-fault data — record, compare against acceptable thresholds, and escalate abnormal results to a senior technician when needed.Audio and visual reception equipment — inspect, adjust, and test at customer premises to confirm proper signal quality after installation.CRM and work-order software — enter job completion details, parts used, and customer notes accurately at the close of each service call.Ladder and bucket-truck operations — conduct pre-use inspections and operate safely during pole-top and aerial line work.Common line malfunctions — apply learned troubleshooting steps to diagnose and resolve routine faults within a defined service territory.
proficient
Complex cable faults and signal anomalies — independently diagnose using advanced electronic test equipment across aerial, buried, and in-building environments.Full service setups for residential and small-business customers — plan, install, test, and commission without supervisory oversight from start to finish.Non-routine splicing scenarios involving damaged or legacy cable — select and execute the appropriate mechanical or epoxy method under field conditions.Transmission characteristic data — analyze test results from multiple line segments to pinpoint intermittent faults and recommend corrective action.Bucket trucks, pole-climbing gear, and tunneling access — coordinate safe equipment use across varied terrain and structure types on multi-task jobs.Audio and visual reception systems — troubleshoot end-to-end signal path issues and adjust or replace components to restore full service quality.Escalated customer complaints involving recurring outages — investigate root cause, implement a lasting fix, and document findings in facilities management software.Junior technicians on site — provide real-time technical guidance and demonstrate correct splicing, testing, and safety techniques during joint assignments.Preventive maintenance schedules for assigned line segments — evaluate equipment condition, prioritize repairs, and update records in spreadsheet or office software.High-stress or hazardous field conditions such as storm damage or confined-space access — apply critical judgment to maintain personal safety and service continuity.
advanced
Departmental installation and repair standards — develop, document, and implement updated procedures that reflect new cable technologies and regulatory requirements.Cross-functional field crews — lead coordination across installation, maintenance, and customer-service teams to resolve large-scale outages or infrastructure upgrades.Training curricula for entry-level and mid-level technicians — design and deliver hands-on programs covering splicing, test equipment use, and safety protocols.Territory-wide signal-quality metrics — monitor trends using facilities management and CRM data to identify systemic issues and drive proactive infrastructure investment.Capital equipment needs and tool-replacement cycles — evaluate organizational requirements and present evidence-based recommendations to management.Safety culture and compliance programs — champion adherence to public-safety and OSHA standards across all field crews and subcontractors.Complex multi-site projects such as aerial-to-underground cable migrations — plan sequencing, assign crews, and oversee execution from initiation through customer sign-off.Vendor and contractor relationships — negotiate service agreements, audit work quality, and ensure adherence to company specifications on outsourced line projects.Emerging telecommunications technologies including fiber-to-the-premises and small-cell installations — assess readiness and lead pilot deployments for the organization.Organizational knowledge retention — mentor senior technicians for leadership roles and establish succession pathways within the installation and repair workforce.
Also known as
152 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Aerial LinemanCable SplicerCable and Antenna Defense Operations Apprentice, Cable and Antenna Operations (Air Force 1D733C)Construction Electrician (Navy CE)Telegraph LinemanInstallerConduit WorkerCable LayerWire SplicerTactical Data Systems Technician (Marine Corps 5974)Low Voltage Technician (Low Voltage Tech)Installer TechnicianConduit MechanicLine RepairerInstallation and Repair Technician (I and R Technician)Electrical Systems Helper (Air Force 3E011)JointerNetwork Administrator (Marine Corps 0631)Cable WirerUnderground Utility Installer TechnicianFiber Optic Data Multiplex System (FODMS) Technician (Navy V80B)ClimberLine InstallerAviation Communication Systems Technician (Marine Corps 5939)Overhead Utility Installer TechnicianTransmissions Chief (Marine Corps 0629)Tactical Air Operations/Air Defense Systems Technician (Marine Corps 5979)Network Cable InstallerAir Traffic Control Radar Technician (Marine Corps 5953)Network Cable Technician (Network Cable Tech)Aerial InstallerNAMTS Interior Communications Repair Technician (Navy V82B)Electronics Communications Technician (Navy 003723)Interior Communication Operator (Navy 003733)Signal Support Systems Specialist (Army 25U)Submarine Cable Equipment TechnicianCable InstallerAviation RADAR Technician (Marine Corps 5948)Telephone Cable SplicerLine Inspector