Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers
Also called: Telecommunications Line Installers
Install and repair telecommunications cable, including fiber optics.
Also called: Broadband Cable Installer, Cable Installer, Cable Repairer, Cable Splicer, Cable Systems Installer, Cable Tech (Cable Technician)
Median pay
$74,330
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$45,310 – $103,680
People employed
97,720
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 2.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 3.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 4.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 5.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 6.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
The hard parts
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Tight deadlines are common
- Long hours on your feet
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers salary in every state →
What telecommunications line installers and repairers do
- 01Splice cables, using hand tools, epoxy, or mechanical equipment.
- 02Inspect or test lines or cables, recording and analyzing test results, to assess transmission characteristics and locate faults or malfunctions.
- 03Clean or maintain tools or test equipment.
- 04Set up service for customers, installing, connecting, testing, or adjusting equipment, such as digital subscriber line modems.
- 05Travel to customers' premises to install, maintain, or repair audio and visual electronic reception equipment or accessories.
- 06Access 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.
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Telecommunications
- Customer and Personal Service
- Engineering and Technology
- Computers and Electronics
- Public Safety and Security
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from telecommunications line installers and repairers
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers85% · −14%
- Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment83% · +14%
- Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers81% · −15%
- Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers78% · −19%
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment73% · 0%
Change into telecommunications line installers and repairers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers90% · $63,890
- Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers86% · $63,520
- Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers83% · $52,600
- Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers82% · $60,070
- Helpers--Electricians77% · $42,670
Majors that lead here
- Communications Systems Installation and Repair Technology/Technician
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.