Computer and Mathematical · Holland code CRI
Telecommunications Engineering Specialists
Design or configure wired, wireless, and satellite communications systems for voice, video, and data services. Supervise installation, service, and maintenance.
Also called: Communications Systems Technician (Communications Systems Tech), Engineer, Telecommunications Consultant (Telecom Consultant), Telecommunications Engineer (Telecom Engineer), Communications Engineer, Communications Infrastructure Engineer, Infrastructure Engineer, Network Engineer.
O*NET 15-1241.01
At a glance
- US median annual pay
- $134,050
- Middle half earn $104,620 to $168,200. BLS OEWS, May 2025.
- Preparation needed
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Medium preparation. Zone 1 is little or none; zone 5 is graduate-level.
- US employment outlook, 2024 to 2034
- +12% · Much faster than average
- 179,200 jobs in 2024, projected 200,600. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, which groups this with similar roles as "Computer network architects".
What the work involves
The tasks workers in this occupation rate as most important, from the O*NET survey.
- Document technical specifications and operating standards for telecommunications equipment.
- Provide user support by diagnosing network and device problems and implementing technical or procedural solutions.
- Implement system renovation projects in collaboration with technical staff, engineering consultants, installers, and vendors.
- Keep abreast of changes in industry practices and emerging telecommunications technology by reviewing current literature, talking with colleagues, participating in educational programs, attending meetings or workshops, or participating in professional organizations or conferences.
- Use computer-aided design (CAD) software to prepare or evaluate network diagrams, floor plans, or site configurations for existing facilities, renovations, or new systems.
- Implement controls to provide security for operating systems, software, and data.
- Develop, maintain, or implement telecommunications disaster recovery plans to ensure business continuity.
- Estimate costs for system or component implementation and operation.
Skills and knowledge it leans on
Skills
- Reading Comprehension3.9 / 5
- Critical Thinking3.9 / 5
- Active Listening3.6 / 5
- Writing3.4 / 5
- Speaking3.3 / 5
- Active Learning3.3 / 5
Knowledge areas
- Telecommunications4.9 / 5
- Computers and Electronics4.6 / 5
- Engineering and Technology4.5 / 5
- English Language4.0 / 5
- Design4.0 / 5
- Customer and Personal Service3.7 / 5
Importance ratings on O*NET’s 1 to 5 scale. Higher means the occupation depends on it more.
Who tends to enjoy it
How strongly this occupation draws on each of the six Holland interest types, which is the same profile the career interests test compares you against.
- Realistic59
- Investigative55
- Artistic15
- Social22
- Enterprising35
- Conventional66
The same work abroad
Other countries classify jobs differently, so these are the closest matches through the international ISCO-08 standard, not exact equivalents.
European occupation titles (ESCO)
- telecommunications manager · DE Telekommunikationsmanager/Telekommunikationsmanagerin · FR responsable des télécommunications
- telecommunications engineer · DE Telekommunikationsingenieur/Telekommunikationsingenieurin · FR ingénieur de télécommunications/ingénieure de télécommunications
- telecommunications analyst · DE Telekommunikationsanalyst/Telekommunikationsanalystin · FR analyste des télécommunications
- ICT network engineer · DE IT-Netzwerkingenieur/IT-Netzwerkingenieurin · FR ingénieur de réseaux informatiques/ingénieure de réseaux informatiques
- ICT network technician · DE IT-Netzwerktechniker/IT-Netzwerktechnikerin · FR technicien de réseau informatique/technicienne de réseau informatique
- telecommunications engineering technician · DE Maschinenbautechniker im Bereich Telekommunikation/Maschinenbautechnikerin im Bereich Telekommunikation · FR technicien en télécommunications/technicienne en télécommunications
Closest UK occupation groups (SOC 2020)
- IT network professionals (2137)33,500 employed
- Computer system and equipment installers and servicers (5244)41,000 employed
- Information technology directors (1137)197,000 employed
Employment is the UK Annual Population Survey for April 2025 to March 2026, all workers in the group, which can be broader than this one occupation.
Pay across Europe, for the whole group
Median annual earnings of all employees in “Craft and related trades workers”. This is the broad ISCO group this occupation falls in, not the occupation itself, so treat it as context for the wage level, not as a salary for this job.
| Country | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Belgium | €40,086 |
| Germany | €38,638 |
| Austria | €38,194 |
| Sweden | €37,856 |
| Netherlands | €37,077 |
| Ireland | €36,098 |
| France | €27,145 |
| Italy | €26,488 |
| Spain | €22,817 |
| Portugal | €11,142 |
| Poland | €10,099 |
Eurostat Structure of Earnings Survey, businesses with ten or more employees outside public administration, in euro and not adjusted for the cost of living. Reference years differ between sources: the US, Japan and Europe figures on this page come from different survey years, so compare them as rough levels, not to the euro or yen.
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