How Many Jobs Are Available In Telecommunications Equipment? (2026 Data)

Quick Answer

About 20,300 telecommunications technician job openings are projected annually in the United States from 2025 to 2035, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In 2025, the country had approximately 143,100 telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, excluding line installers, within a broader workforce of 257,800 telecommunications technicians. Their overall median annual salary was $66,200 in May 2025. However, these figures represent existing employment and projected annual openings, not currently advertised vacancies.

Key Takeaways

• 20,300 annual openings: The BLS projects approximately 20,300 telecommunications technician job openings per year from 2025 to 2035.
• 143,100 equipment installation jobs: Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, excluding line installers, held about 143,100 U.S. jobs in 2025.
• $66,200 median annual pay: Telecommunications technicians earned a median annual salary of $66,200 in May 2025.
• 564,600 telecommunications industry employees: The broader U.S. telecommunications services industry employed approximately 564,600 people in September 2026.
• 3% projected employment decline: Telecommunications technician employment is expected to decrease by 3% through 2035, although replacement hiring will continue.

How many jobs are available in telecommunications equipment in 2026? If you are planning to enter this industry, understanding current employment numbers, annual openings, and salary expectations can help you make a better career decision. Telecommunications equipment supports mobile networks, broadband internet, fiber-optic connections, and other communication systems used by millions of Americans.

Although communication technology continues to develop, not every telecommunications occupation is growing. This guide examines the latest BLS employment data, available career paths, salaries, qualifications, and job outlook to help you identify suitable opportunities. If you are also weighing neighboring industries, our guide on whether television services is a good career path covers another part of the communications sector.

What Is the Telecommunications Equipment Industry?

The telecommunications equipment industry focuses on the hardware and systems that transmit voice, video, text, and data across communication networks. These technologies allow businesses, households, and government organizations to connect through telephone systems, internet services, wireless networks, and satellite communication.

Telecommunications equipment includes routers, network switches, fiber-optic cables, wireless antennas, transmission towers, cellular base stations, modems, and radio communication devices. Companies involved in this industry design, manufacture, install, test, maintain, and repair these systems. Depending on your interests, you may work directly with equipment, develop electronic components, or support the infrastructure that carries communication signals.

The industry also overlaps with telecommunications services, electronics manufacturing, engineering, and construction. This matters when counting available jobs because the BLS classifies workers according to their occupations and the industries employing them. As a result, telecommunications equipment does not have one official employment figure covering every related career.

How Many Jobs Are Available in Telecommunications Equipment in 2026?

According to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, approximately 257,800 telecommunications technician jobs existed in the United States in 2025. This total includes workers responsible for telecommunications equipment, communication lines, and radio or tower systems.

The following table shows how these positions were distributed across the three main occupations.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025 occupational employment estimates.

Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers represented the largest group, with approximately 143,100 positions. These workers install and maintain equipment that carries communication signals, including network switches, routers, and related systems. Meanwhile, line installers maintain telecommunications cables, and tower technicians work with wireless and radio transmission equipment.

How Many Telecommunications Job Openings Are Expected Each Year?

The BLS projects approximately 20,300 telecommunications technician job openings annually from 2025 to 2035. These opportunities are expected to arise when employees retire, leave the labor force, or move into different occupations. Therefore, the industry can continue hiring workers even when its total employment decreases.

The distinction between annual openings and current vacancies is important. The projected 20,300 openings cover the broader telecommunications technician occupation, not only equipment installers and repairers. They also do not represent the number of positions employers are advertising at a particular moment in 2026.

For more immediate hiring information, you should compare current employer job postings with regional labor market data. Job availability can vary considerably by location, specialization, and experience.

How Many People Work in the Telecommunications Industry?

Employment in telecommunications extends beyond installation and repair positions. According to the BLS Telecommunications Industry at a Glance, approximately 564,600 people worked in the U.S. telecommunications services industry in September 2026, based on preliminary, seasonally adjusted employment data.

This broader industry includes technical workers, engineers, customer support employees, supervisors, and other professionals involved in telecommunications services. It covers businesses that provide wired, wireless, satellite, and related communication services.

However, the 564,600 figure does not include every worker who manufactures telecommunications equipment. Equipment manufacturing is classified separately, so adding manufacturing employment estimates without checking their coverage could overstate the number of telecommunications equipment jobs.

Telecommunications Equipment Job Outlook Through 2035

The telecommunications equipment job market is changing as communication networks become more advanced and efficient. According to the BLS, overall telecommunications technician employment is projected to decline by approximately 3% between 2025 and 2035.

The agency expects employment to decrease from 257,800 positions in 2025 to approximately 249,700 in 2035. That represents a projected reduction of around 8,100 positions over the decade, although replacement hiring is still expected to generate thousands of openings each year.

Several factors help explain this outlook. The BLS expects certain installation activities to decrease as recent 5G network upgrades and government-funded broadband expansion projects are completed. Newer telecommunications systems, including fiber-optic infrastructure, may also require less frequent maintenance than older equipment.

However, the outlook is not identical across all related occupations.

Source: BLS employment projections, 2025–2035. Engineering projections cover these occupations across all industries, not telecommunications equipment alone.

The projected decline in traditional installation and repair work does not mean telecommunications careers are disappearing. Radio, cellular, and tower equipment technicians are projected to experience modest employment growth, while electronics engineering positions have a different outlook. For job seekers, the main lesson is to evaluate specific occupations instead of assuming every telecommunications equipment career will grow at the same rate.

Best-Paying Jobs in Telecommunications Equipment

Telecommunications equipment careers offer different earning opportunities depending on education, technical knowledge, and job responsibilities. Installation and repair roles may require technical training rather than a bachelor’s degree, while professional engineering positions usually require more formal education.

According to the BLS, the median annual wage for telecommunications technicians was $66,200 in May 2025. That was higher than the $50,980 median annual wage for all U.S. occupations during the same period.

Here are several telecommunications equipment and closely related technical careers.

Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2025 occupational wage data. These are national medians across all employing industries, not salaries exclusive to telecommunications equipment companies.

Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers

Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers maintain the hardware that supports telephone, internet, and other communication networks. Their responsibilities include installing equipment, testing connections, troubleshooting system failures, and repairing damaged components. They may work inside businesses, telecommunications facilities, or customers’ homes.

The BLS reported a median annual wage of $63,890 in May 2025 for telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, excluding line installers. This occupation may suit you if you enjoy hands-on technical work and diagnosing electronic problems. Some positions also require travel, customer interaction, and nonstandard working hours.

Telecommunications Line and Tower Technicians

Telecommunications line installers build and maintain the physical connections used to transmit information. Their work may involve installing fiber-optic cables, repairing damaged communication lines, and testing network connections. According to the BLS, these workers earned a median annual salary of $74,330 in May 2025.

Radio, cellular, and tower equipment technicians focus on wireless communication systems, including antennas, radio transmitters, and cellular network equipment. Their median annual pay was $63,520 in May 2025. Some positions involve climbing towers or working at significant heights, making physical fitness and safety training especially important.

Electronics Engineers and Engineering Technicians

Electronics engineers design and develop electronic components, circuits, and systems used in communication technology. They may help create or improve wireless devices, signal-processing equipment, and other electronic systems. According to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile for electrical and electronics engineers, electronics engineers, excluding computer engineers, earned a national median annual salary of $130,220 in May 2025.

Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians support engineers by testing equipment, examining prototypes, and helping identify technical problems. Their national median annual wage was $78,190 in May 2025. These positions may appeal to people who prefer equipment testing, product development, and laboratory work rather than field installation.

The difference between national occupational salaries and telecommunications-specific wages is worth noting. For example, BLS industry data show that electronics engineers employed in telecommunications had a median annual wage of $109,040 in May 2025. That is different from the $130,220 national median covering electronics engineers across all industries.

Where Are Telecommunications Equipment Jobs Available?

Telecommunications equipment jobs are concentrated among communication service providers, installation contractors, construction businesses, and technical services companies. Manufacturers and engineering firms also employ workers who design, assemble, or test communication hardware.

According to the BLS, the telecommunications industry employed approximately 61% of telecommunications technicians in 2025. Specialty trade contractors accounted for another 13%, while heavy and civil engineering construction employed approximately 7%. Professional, scientific, and technical services employed around 4%.

These employer categories provide a useful starting point for your job search because they show where many telecommunications technicians work. However, the percentages describe existing employment, not the share of vacancies currently available.

Telecommunications service providers employ technicians to install equipment, maintain connections, troubleshoot network problems, and repair communication systems. Installation and construction contractors often hire workers for fiber-optic projects, cable installation, and network infrastructure development.

If you prefer engineering or manufacturing, consider companies that produce communication hardware and electronic components. These employers may offer equipment testing, electronics assembly, quality control, and product development positions. The qualifications for those jobs can differ substantially from the requirements for field technicians.

Which Locations Have Telecommunications Equipment Jobs?

Telecommunications equipment jobs are available across the United States, but the number of positions differs by state and metropolitan area. Regions with network infrastructure projects, communication service providers, and electronics manufacturing operations may offer relevant opportunities.

Instead of relying on an outdated ranking of states, use the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program to compare employment levels and wages in your preferred location. You can also review current employer listings to see which skills and certifications are being requested locally.

Remember that a location with many telecommunications workers does not necessarily have the most open positions. Comparing current vacancies, living costs, travel requirements, and wages will give you a more useful picture of your opportunities.

What Qualifications Do You Need for Telecommunications Equipment Jobs?

The qualifications required for telecommunications equipment careers depend on the work you want to perform. Some entry-level installation positions require a high school diploma and job training, while electronics engineering positions generally require a bachelor’s degree.

According to the BLS, telecommunications technicians typically need at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Employers may prefer applicants with a certificate or associate’s degree, and technicians also receive on-the-job training. Technical education can help you build a stronger foundation in networking, electronics, and communication systems.

For engineering technician careers, an associate’s degree in electrical or electronic engineering technology is a common educational route. Professional electrical and electronics engineering positions generally require a bachelor’s degree in a related engineering field. Practical experience through internships, laboratory work, or technical projects can also strengthen your qualifications.

Important Technical and Workplace Skills

Employers look for workers who can install equipment accurately, diagnose faults, and follow safety procedures. You may need to understand network connections, electrical circuits, communication signals, fiber-optic systems, or electronic testing equipment, depending on the role.

Troubleshooting and problem-solving are especially valuable because technicians must identify the cause of equipment failures before making repairs. Reading technical diagrams, recording maintenance work, and communicating with coworkers or customers are also important parts of many positions.

Some employers prefer applicants with networking, fiber-optic, equipment installation, or safety certifications. However, certifications vary by position and employer, so you should review job descriptions before choosing a training program. If you are also curious about the electrical side of utility work, our guide to jobs available in electric utilities shows how similar lineworker and technician careers are structured.

How to Get a Job in Telecommunications Equipment

If you want to enter telecommunications equipment, begin by selecting a career path that fits your education and interests. A technician role may be appropriate if you prefer working directly with equipment, while engineering or product development could be a better match if you enjoy designing and testing electronic systems.

Start by reviewing entry-level job descriptions to identify common qualification requirements. This can help you decide whether you need technical training, a certificate, an associate’s degree, or a bachelor’s degree. It also allows you to focus your education on skills that employers actually request.

Next, build practical experience through internships, apprenticeships, technical coursework, or supervised projects. Experience with cabling, electronic testing, router configuration, network troubleshooting, or equipment repair can improve your readiness for relevant positions.

When preparing your resume, describe the equipment and technologies you have worked with instead of only listing general abilities. If you completed a networking course, installed cables, tested electronic circuits, or repaired communication devices, explain those experiences clearly. Employers can then better understand how your skills relate to the job. Troubleshooting questions are common in technical interviews, so our list of IT support interview questions is a useful way to practice.

Finally, search for specific position titles rather than using only the broad phrase “telecommunications equipment jobs.” Relevant searches include telecommunications equipment technician, telecom line installer, fiber-optic technician, tower technician, electronics assembler, and electronics engineering technician.

Check current hiring requirements carefully. Some positions involve travel, night shifts, outdoor work, or safety training, and these conditions may influence whether a job suits your preferences.

Is Telecommunications Equipment a Good Career Path in 2026?

Telecommunications equipment can be a worthwhile career path if you enjoy technology, technical problem-solving, and practical work. The field includes jobs with different education requirements, and the BLS reported a median wage of $66,200 for telecommunications technicians in May 2025. Engineering-related positions may offer additional opportunities for workers who complete more advanced education.

One advantage is that telecommunications equipment supports services that households, businesses, and public organizations depend on. The field also offers several types of work, including equipment repair, field installation, electronic testing, and engineering. This variety gives you options as your skills and career interests develop.

However, you should also consider the disadvantages. The BLS projects a 3% decline in overall telecommunications technician employment between 2025 and 2035. Some installation and maintenance tasks may require fewer workers as equipment becomes more efficient, and competition can vary by region.

Physical demands are another concern. Telecommunications technicians may need to climb ladders, poles, or towers, work in confined spaces, or respond to service outages outside regular business hours. The BLS also identifies falls and strains among workplace risks in certain telecommunications occupations.

For someone willing to develop relevant technical skills and adapt to changing equipment, the industry can still offer suitable employment opportunities. Your long-term prospects will depend on your specialization, practical experience, and ability to meet employers’ changing requirements.

Final Verdict

So, how many jobs are available in telecommunications equipment in 2026? The most reliable BLS figures show 143,100 telecommunications equipment installer and repairer jobs, excluding line installers, in 2025, within a broader telecommunications technician workforce of 257,800. The BLS also projects approximately 20,300 telecommunications technician openings annually between 2025 and 2035, mainly because existing workers will need to be replaced.

Although overall technician employment is expected to decline by 3% over the decade, opportunities will remain in equipment maintenance, communication lines, wireless systems, and related engineering fields. If you are considering this career, compare specific job requirements, salaries, and regional hiring conditions before choosing your training or specialization.

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