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Job outlook for field installers in the United States
Are field installer jobs in demand?
Field installer job and salary trends over time
Field installer jobs over time
Field installer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,252 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 1,380 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 1,511 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,666 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 1,693 | 0.00% |
Average field installer salary over time
Field installer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $41,668 | $20.03 | +6.1% |
| 2024 | $39,255 | $18.87 | +3.2% |
| 2023 | $38,028 | $18.28 | +5.1% |
| 2022 | $36,184 | $17.40 | --0.5% |
| 2021 | $36,361 | $17.48 | --1.7% |
Field installer jobs by state
Most common states for field installers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 171 | 23% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 125 | 18% |
| 3 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 169 | 16% |
| 4 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 707 | 13% |
| 5 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 172 | 13% |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 794 | 12% |
| 7 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 687 | 12% |
| 8 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 482 | 12% |
| 9 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 382 | 12% |
| 10 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 363 | 12% |
| 11 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 203 | 12% |
| 12 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 166 | 12% |
| 13 | Vermont | 623,657 | 77 | 12% |
| 14 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 72 | 12% |
| 15 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 919 | 11% |
| 16 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 706 | 11% |
| 17 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 380 | 11% |
| 18 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 224 | 11% |
| 19 | Delaware | 961,939 | 106 | 11% |
| 20 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 605 | 10% |
Most common cities for field installers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Myers | 2 | 3% | $36,395 |
| 2 | Winter Haven | 1 | 3% | $36,338 |
| 3 | Sarasota | 1 | 2% | $36,403 |
| 4 | Hollywood | 1 | 1% | $36,351 |
| 5 | Boston | 2 | 0% | $44,804 |
| 6 | Columbus | 1 | 0% | $37,845 |
| 7 | Jacksonville | 1 | 0% | $36,322 |
| 8 | Orlando | 1 | 0% | $36,301 |
| 9 | San Bernardino | 1 | 0% | $43,238 |
Field Installer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of field installer experts
SCTE·ISBE
What general advice would you give to a Field Installer?
Steve Harris: Given connectivity's essential role in our daily lives, telecommunication networks must be extremely reliable, and installers are expected to operate at a higher level than ever before. Installers must be well-trained and have the proper certifications to safely work on telecom networks - to reduce the risk of human error and ensure issues are addressed as efficiently as possible.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Field Installers?
Steve Harris: The pandemic has shifted many face-to-face roles to remote support; in general, there are less technicians in the field, and the use of remote technology to troubleshoot network issues has increased. Some entry-level technicians also work in tech support. In those instances, many now use video calls to assist customers.
When installers are in the field, they must be able to recognize and understand performance metrics to install or restore services correctly the first time. All of this was true before the pandemic, but is even more essential in the era of social distancing. This dynamic environment requires professionals who can learn, think, and adapt quickly.
All new grads should be knowledgeable about the industry they’re pursuing. Joining a membership organization like SCTE•ISBE offers networking, mentoring, and training opportunities. It also provides an inside look at how the industry is responding to current events.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Field Installers in the next 3-5 years?
Steve Harris: Installers must support both new and legacy services, even as cable operators roll-out emerging technologies like Wi-Fi 6, out Distributed Access Architecture (DAA), and Fiber to the Home (FTTH). Those interested in cable telecommunications should consider training and certifications that map to their interests and intended career paths.
Entry-level professionals with the new SCTE•ISBE broadband premises installer, SCTE•ISBE broadband wireless installer, or SCTE•ISBE broadband fiber installer (FTTH) certifications will be more successful pursuing a career in the cable telecommunications industry. In fact, the major cable operators use SCTE•ISBE programs to train their employees, so these certifications will put them ahead of the curve.