Career Trends: Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers

Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, also known as telecom technicians, set up and maintain devices or equipment that carry communications signals, connect to telephone lines, and access the Internet.

Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers generally work in central offices or electronic service centers. They also work in the homes and offices of customers. Some technicians must travel frequently to installation and repair sites.

Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers typically need postsecondary education in electronics, telecommunications, or computer technology, and receive on-the-job training. Industry certification is required for some positions.

Employment of telecommunications equipment installers and repairers is projected to decline 4 percent from 2014 to 2024. Consumers are increasingly demanding wireless and mobile services, which often require less installation. Some job opportunities should come from the need to replace workers who leave the occupation. Candidates with a 2-year degree and strong customer-service skills should have the best job prospects.

This occupation supported 217,200 jobs in 2012 and 218,600 jobs in 2014, reflecting an increase of 0.6%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to increase by 3.9% in 2022 to 225,700 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 218,900, compared with an observed value of 218,600, 0.1% lower than expected. This indicates current employment trends are about on track with the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to decrease by 3.6% in 2024 to 210,800 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 227,400 jobs for 2024, 7.9% higher than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are much worse than the 2012 trend within this occupation.