Install and repair telecommunications cable, including fiber optics.
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers
SOC: 49-9052 O*NET: 49-9052.00
Median Salary
$70,500
per year
Job Growth
📉 -3.1%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
8.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Install and repair telecommunications cable, including fiber optics.
What does a Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$42,940
10th percentile
Early Career
$50,620
25th percentile
Median
$70,500
50th percentile
Experienced
$95,520
75th percentile
Top Earners
$104,840
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$42,940
25th
$50,620
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$70,500
Mean: $72,440
75th
$95,520
90th
$104,840
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $61,900 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $50,620 and $95,520
- •Salary spread is 63.7% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 98,360 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:99,900
Top Industries
Information60.3%
Telecommunications59.6%
Construction31.5%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-3.1%
Annual Openings:8,900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)99,900
Current
2034 (Projected)96,800
-3.1%
-3,100
Employment Change
-3.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
10,300 jobs$92,3500.89x
New York
9,780 jobs$105,9001.61x
Texas
8,160 jobs$68,3200.92x
Florida
6,400 jobs$53,1401.02x
Virginia
4,200 jobs$80,0901.62x
Georgia
3,830 jobs$57,0301.24x
Pennsylvania
3,640 jobs$80,6300.95x
Ohio
3,260 jobs$55,4300.93x
New Jersey
3,230 jobs$101,2701.19x
Maryland
2,850 jobs$87,9001.63x
Illinois
2,470 jobs$75,5900.64x
Massachusetts
2,450 jobs$104,0401.05x
Missouri
2,270 jobs$58,9201.22x
Michigan
2,220 jobs$65,4600.79x
Tennessee
2,050 jobs$59,4200.98x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Complex Problem Solving
100%
#2
Operations Monitoring
94%
#3
Critical Thinking
86%
#4
Speaking
80%
#5
Equipment Maintenance
74%
#6
Active Listening
66%
#7
Judgment and Decision Making
60%
#8
Troubleshooting
54%
#9
Monitoring
46%
#10
Coordination
40%
Skills Overview
Complex Problem Solving
advanced5.0
100%
Operations Monitoring
advanced4.7
94%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.3
86%
Speaking
intermediate4.0
80%
Equipment Maintenance
intermediate3.7
74%
Active Listening
intermediate3.3
66%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.0
60%
Troubleshooting
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Equipment Maintenance
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Troubleshooting
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics67%
5 shared skills
Broadcast Technicians67%
5 shared skills
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels67%
5 shared skills
Continuous Mining Machine Operators67%
5 shared skills
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door67%
5 shared skills
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Troubleshooting
- →Active Listening
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Complex Problem Solving
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Complex Problem Solving
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Equipment Maintenance
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Slack
🔥 Hot TechAutodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Slack
Autodesk AutoCAD
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🌤️
Location
MOSTLY OUTDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly outdoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
19
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Analysis & Evaluation (1)General Responsibilities (14)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Travel to customers' premises to install, maintain, or repair audio and visual electronic reception equipment or accessories.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Inspect or test lines or cables, recording and analyzing test results, to assess transmission characteristics and locate faults or malfunctions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation97% perform98%
3
Splice cables, using hand tools, epoxy, or mechanical equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Measure signal strength at utility poles, using electronic test equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Set up service for customers, installing, connecting, testing, or adjusting equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Place insulation over conductors, or seal splices with moisture-proof covering.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
String cables between structures and lines from poles, towers, or trenches, and pull lines to proper tension.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Install equipment such as amplifiers or repeaters to maintain the strength of communications transmissions.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform84%
10
Lay underground cable directly in trenches, or string it through conduits running through trenches.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Management & Supervision73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •37% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.52
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.46
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.40
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.38
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.33
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.24
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.5
Cooperation
4.4
Self-Control
4.4
Integrity
4.3
Stress Tolerance
4.2
Analytical Thinking
4.2
Concern for Others
4.1
Achievement/Effort
4.0
Initiative
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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