Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers

SOC code 49-9052 · O*NET-SOC 49-9052.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Skilled trades

Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$74,330

a year

Hourly

$35.73

per hour

10th$45,310Median$74,33090th$103,680

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$73,940

$35.55 per hour

Middle 50%

$54,310 – $95,850

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$45,310 – $103,680

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

97,720

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $45,310; $21.79/hr
25th percentile: $54,310; $26.11/hr
Median percentile: $74,330; $35.73/hr
75th percentile: $95,850; $46.08/hr
90th percentile: $103,680; $49.85/hr

What do telecommunications line installers and repairers do?

Install and repair telecommunications cable, including fiber optics.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Splice cables, using hand tools, epoxy, or mechanical equipment.
Inspect or test lines or cables, recording and analyzing test results, to assess transmission characteristics and locate faults or malfunctions.
Clean or maintain tools or test equipment.
Set up service for customers, installing, connecting, testing, or adjusting equipment, such as digital subscriber line modems.
Travel to customers' premises to install, maintain, or repair audio and visual electronic reception equipment or accessories.
Access specific areas to string lines, or install terminal boxes, auxiliary equipment, or appliances, using bucket trucks, climbing poles or ladders, or entering tunnels, trenches, or crawl spaces.
Measure signal strength at utility poles, using electronic test equipment.
Place insulation over conductors, or seal splices with moisture-proof covering.

How to qualify for this work

Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed

Education: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Training: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

See all zone 2 occupations →

The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.

Common questions

How much does a telecommunications line installers and repairers earn?

The national median is $74,330 a year. The full range runs from $45,310 at the 10th percentile to $103,680 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a telecommunications line installers and repairers without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Speaking3.1/5
Critical Thinking3.1/5
Monitoring3.1/5
Reading Comprehension3.0/5
Active Listening3.0/5

Knowledge areas

Telecommunications4.4/5
Customer and Personal Service4.2/5
Engineering and Technology4.0/5
Computers and Electronics3.9/5
Public Safety and Security3.9/5
Building and Construction3.7/5
Production and Processing3.5/5
English Language3.4/5

Transferable strengths: Quality Control Analysis, Coordination, Installation, Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control.