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What is a telecommunications technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
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Telecommunication technicians oversee the repairing, installing, upgrading, and modifying companies' telecommunications systems and related equipment. This includes telephones, internet, and cable. Telecommunication technicians perform the role of maintaining and upgrading companies' telecommunications systems, and they evaluate customers' needs and install telecommunications systems that meet those needs. They run routine tests on the systems to ensure that all the components are working at optimal levels and check the wiring to ensure that there are no exposed cables. The telecommunication technician also orders replacement components for telecommunications equipment from suitable vendors and also investigates and resolves clients' complaints promptly.

Some qualities and skills that will be helpful for a telecommunication technician include attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and physical strength. They should also have good customer service skills and patience when dealing with clients and team members. The minimum educational requirement for a telecommunication technician is a high school diploma or GED and also completion of a postsecondary education program in telecommunication, telecommunication technology, computer science, and other related fields. A telecom tech earns an average of $49,366 a year.

ScoreTelecommunications TechnicianUS Average
Salary
3.3

Avg. Salary $41,935

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.5

Growth rate 8%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.63%

Asian 6.24%

Black or African American 13.02%

Hispanic or Latino 18.06%

Unknown 4.75%

White 57.30%

Gender

female 10.25%

male 89.75%

Age - 46
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 - 46
Stress level
7.5

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.7

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.5

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Telecommunications technician career paths

Key steps to become a telecommunications technician

  1. Explore telecommunications technician education requirements

    Most common telecommunications technician degrees

    Associate

    35.0 %

    Bachelor's

    28.8 %

    High School Diploma

    20.7 %
  2. Start to develop specific telecommunications technician skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Broadband14.30%
    Customer Service7.16%
    Fiber Optic Cables5.71%
    Telephone Systems5.45%
    Hand Tools5.45%
  3. Complete relevant telecommunications technician training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New telecommunications technicians 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 telecommunications technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real telecommunications technician resumes.
  4. Gain additional telecommunications technician certifications

    Telecommunications technician certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific telecommunications technician certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for telecommunications technicians include Telecommunications (TCM) and Master Certified Electronics Technician (CETma).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research telecommunications technician duties and responsibilities

    • Project complete while simultaneously managing VoIP project.
    • Install cable television, high-speed internet, routers, VOIP phone services, and data services to residential and commercial clients.
    • Provide technical and operational guidance and direction to the DoD customer in establishing and operating video teleconferencing systems.
    • Work with OSP to troubleshoot and repair faulty cable plant.
  6. Prepare your telecommunications technician resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your telecommunications technician 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 telecommunications technician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable telecommunications technician resume templates

    Build a professional telecommunications technician 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 telecommunications technician resume.
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    Telecommunications Technician Resume
    Telecommunications Technician Resume
  7. Apply for telecommunications technician jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a telecommunications technician job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first telecommunications technician job

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Average telecommunications technician salary

The average telecommunications technician salary in the United States is $41,935 per year or $20 per hour. Telecommunications technician salaries range between $31,000 and $55,000 per year.

Average telecommunications technician salary
$41,935 Yearly
$20.16 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do telecommunications technicians rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Telecommunications technician reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on May 2020
Pros

I like it because I enjoy doing it.for the past 21years I was doing cabling .so cabling is my life .I like when I get challenges every now and then it build me give me strength to face life

Cons

I don't like when don't get business I feel down and lazy


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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