How To Become A Signal Operator: What It Is and Career Path

What is a signal operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a signal operator. For example, did you know that they make an average of $22.75 an hour? That's $47,324 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow -2% and produce -1,500 job opportunities across the U.S.

ScoreSignal OperatorUS Average

Salary

3.7

Avg. Salary $47,324

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.5

Growth rate -2%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.6

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.38%

Asian 5.73%

Black or African American 17.15%

Hispanic or Latino 16.31%

Unknown 4.07%

White 55.37%

Gender

female 19.25%

male 80.75%

Age - 48

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 48

Stress level

8.5

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

2.6

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a signal operator

Explore signal operator education requirements

Most common signal operator degrees

Bachelor's

42.7 %

Associate

22.0 %

High School Diploma

22.0 %

Start to develop specific signal operator skills

Skills	Percentages
Signals Intelligence	28.73%
Intelligence Data	26.52%
Intelligence Reports	19.72%
SIGINT	15.26%
Top Secret	4.26%

Complete relevant signal operator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New signal operators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a signal operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real signal operator resumes.

Research signal operator duties and responsibilities

Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
Operate as a SME on LLVI operations and equipment.
Provide ISR threat warning support and interface with other units.
Perform SIGINT collection according to current CCP assign by the CRC.

Prepare your signal operator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your signal operator resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a signal operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable signal operator resume templates

Build a professional signal operator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your signal operator resume.