Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for senior communications engineers in the United States
Are senior communications engineer jobs in demand?
Senior communications engineer job and salary trends over time
Senior communications engineer jobs over time
Senior communications engineer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,692 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 3,072 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 3,235 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 4,506 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 4,584 | 0.00% |
Average senior communications engineer salary over time
Senior communications engineer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $108,459 | $52.14 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $104,885 | $50.43 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $102,511 | $49.28 | +4.2% |
| 2022 | $98,402 | $47.31 | +3.4% |
| 2021 | $95,167 | $45.75 | +1.0% |
Senior communications engineer jobs by state
Most common states for senior communications engineers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 713 | 103% |
| 2 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,592 | 31% |
| 3 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,686 | 28% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 224 | 23% |
| 5 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,099 | 20% |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,289 | 19% |
| 7 | Vermont | 623,657 | 118 | 19% |
| 8 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,241 | 17% |
| 9 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 96 | 17% |
| 10 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 601 | 15% |
| 11 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 207 | 15% |
| 12 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 434 | 14% |
| 13 | Alaska | 739,795 | 101 | 14% |
| 14 | California | 39,536,653 | 5,301 | 13% |
| 15 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 138 | 13% |
| 16 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 112 | 13% |
| 17 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 99 | 13% |
| 18 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 669 | 12% |
| 19 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 232 | 12% |
| 20 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 512 | 11% |
Most common cities for senior communications engineers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richfield | 1 | 3% | $104,006 |
| 2 | Cambridge | 2 | 2% | $124,601 |
| 3 | Burbank | 1 | 1% | $113,043 |
| 4 | Elk Grove | 1 | 1% | $121,519 |
| 5 | Washington | 3 | 0% | $118,898 |
| 6 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $125,521 |
| 7 | Denver | 1 | 0% | $93,139 |
| 8 | San Francisco | 1 | 0% | $122,013 |
| 9 | Seattle | 1 | 0% | $113,095 |
| 10 | Urban Honolulu | 1 | 0% | $105,651 |
Senior Communications Engineer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of senior communications engineer experts
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
University of Indianapolis
University of Washington
Bakersfield College
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Pennsylvania State University - Great Valley
What will help Senior Communications Engineers increase their earning potential?
Don Gelosh Ph.D.: There is a great demand for those who can understand the big picture as well as knowing the
smallest detail in the development and delivery of complex systems. It is very important that
everyone involved in the engineering of complex systems works from the same requirements
and understands the intended operational environment. Systems engineers facilitate this
common understanding of the target system, interconnected systems and the operational
environment.
Today's advanced technology and systems that utilize that technology are increasingly
becoming more complex and more challenging to develop and deliver. This requires a different
type of engineer, one who has both in-depth technical knowledge and leadership skills.
Systems engineers who understand these requirements and can deliver successful complex
systems will always be in demand.
Dr. Katie Greenan Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Indianapolis
Department of Communication
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Senior Communications Engineer job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Katie Greenan Ph.D.: Research shows the job market continuing to shrink. Remote work will continue to normalize beyond the pandemic. The technology field was vast prior to the pandemic and will be even larger post pandemic. The same is true for the healthcare industry. What they have in common is communication, and communication never goes out of style. In order to succeed in any career - to keep a job - an individual must know how to write, speak, listen, and get along with others whether face-to-face or virtually.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Senior Communications Engineers?
Dr. Katie Greenan Ph.D.: Enrolling in an online public speaking course is practical since much of our work is virtual. It's important to practice delivery skills via technology and learn how to gesture effectively from the waist up, provide eye contact to connect with the audience, and position the camera and lighting. Companies can bring in consultants to train employees. This course would benefit every professional across all industries. It would also be valuable to recent graduates interviewing for jobs.
What's a good job out of college for Senior Communications Engineers?
Dr. Katie Greenan Ph.D.: There are two types. The first is electronic media. Companies are constantly seeking employees who can fill entry-level jobs in social media and marketing. I'm seeing more and more job advertisements for social media influencers, too. I suggest recent graduates visit a handful of companies' websites and search "jobs." Chances are they'll find openings. Second, with the new administration in Washington, D.C., there is policy-related work that can provide recent graduates with entry-level jobs. After working in the political arena and gaining unparalleled experience, one thing will lead to the next, and they can go anywhere.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Senior Communications Engineers?
Les Atlas: Most certainly an impact, a very strong impact. The best lesson for us is from the 1919 Spanish Flu pandemic. That strain of flu still circulates as a seasonal virus. Over 100 years laters, it is now considered a Phase 6 pandemic by the World Health Organization. While it is reduced due to current social distancing and mask wearing, the 1919 Spanish Flu virus still causes community-level outbreaks in multiple parts of the globe. Societal changes from this event of over 100 years ago are still with us.
In fact, they changed society. As is well-documented, after a high level of immunity was reached in the 1920's, the resulting labor shortage enabled workers to demand better living and working conditions, as well as better wages and public health care. As just one example of the societal changes due to the 1919 pandemic, the drop in the male labor force empowered male workers, and also changed the gender composition.
The aftermath of the 1919 pandemic was the start of women joining the labour force. In the United States, the proportion of women in the labour force rose from 18 per cent in 1900 to almost 21 per cent in 1920. In that same year, with the ratification of the 19th Amendment of the Constitution, the Congress of the United States guaranteed all American women the right to vote.
The current COVID-19 pandemic will certainly change the way we live, be it our mobility or the kinds of career options people have. After our current year-long experience in remote learning and work, will we go back to the inefficiencies of going to our office every work day? Or will remote work be acceptable, where one's residence will not be dependent upon the locations of employment. Will we avoid future hotspots of infection, choosing to instead reside and travel in areas where infection is decreasing? Will we prefer to travel on aircraft which are certified to be virus-free and frequent restaurants which are documented to be safer? Future marketing will likely make a sharp turn in this direction.
What general advice would you give to a Senior Communications Engineer?
Maryam Farahani: Thinking about the fields they want to experience or try. And to be intentional about their job search. The best advice is learning as much as they can about what company offers. Visualizing themselves in the next 5 years as a starting point. Do they want to travel a lot, or be in management positions? Do they want to be subject matter expert, or a hands-on engineer or technologist? Their goal may change as they progress in their career but having one makes a big difference in their career choices and keeping them on track.
Dr. T.S. Kalkur
Department ChairUniversity of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Electrical and Computer Engineering Department
What experience really stands out on Senior Communications Engineer resumes?
Dr. T.S. Kalkur: Internship experience and tools used in design.
What experience really stands out on Senior Communications Engineer resumes?
Nil Ergin Ph.D.: Knowledge of analytical skills, methods, and tools for analysis, design, and management of complex systems and experience working with interdisciplinary teams are essential for systems engineering professionals. Experience in applying systems thinking and design thinking approaches to understanding organization, technical, and non-technical factors that influence the design and performance of complex systems stands out on resumes.