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Career Profile

Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers

What they do:

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.

Also Called:

Broadband Technician, Central Office Technician, Combination Technician, Customer Service Technician (CST), Field Technician, Install and Repair Technician, Installer, Outside Plant Technician, Service Technician, Telecommunications Technician, Broadband Technician, Central Office Technician, Combination Technician, Customer Service Technician (CST), Field Technician, Install and Repair Technician, Installer, Outside Plant Technician, Service Technician, Telecommunications Technician

Job Data & Employment

*National data provided by O*NET & BLS
Compare State data      Compare Metro Area Data   
$44,240
Starting Salary (2025)
$63,890
Median Salary (2025)
-4.2%
Projected Job Growth
140,920
Employment (2025)

Typical Tasks

Collaborate with other workers to locate and correct malfunctions.
Test repaired, newly installed, or updated equipment to ensure that it functions properly and conforms to specifications, using test equipment and observation.
Repair or replace faulty equipment, such as defective and damaged telephones, wires, switching system components, and associated equipment.
Clean and maintain tools, test equipment, and motor vehicles.
Test circuits and components of malfunctioning telecommunications equipment to isolate sources of malfunctions, using test meters, circuit diagrams, polarity probes, and other hand tools.

A day in the life

What kind of work is this?

Realistic
Practical, Physical Work
Conventional
Organized, Procedural Work
Investigative
Studying, Research based work

What personality traits do you need to succeed?

Dependability
Integrity
Attention to Detail
Cooperation
Adaptability/Flexibility
Analytical Thinking

What key skills are needed for this job?

Troubleshooting
Repairing
Critical Thinking
Operations Monitoring
Quality Control Analysis
Active Listening

Expected Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Telecommunications

Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

Computers and Electronics

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Common Activities

Working with Computers

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Education & Preparation

Some occupations may require additional education, advanced degrees, and years of experience in the field.
Talk to your support team on campus about this career pathway and additional degree information.
Job Zone 3

Medium Preparation Needed

Education

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

Training

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Typical Education Required

Education a new hire may need

  • High school diploma 43%
  • Post-secondary certificate 21%
  • Bachelor's degree 17%
  • Some college 10%
  • Associate's degree 8%
Source: O*NET Education, Training & Experience data

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*Data on career profiles are based on information supplied by the O*NET Program, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration.