Telecommunications Engineering Specialists Career, Salary and Skills
Telecommunications Engineering Specialists have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $134,050 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 179,740. Wage data is published for 297 locations.
Occupation description
Design or configure wired, wireless, and satellite communications systems for voice, video, and data services. Supervise installation, service, and maintenance.
O*NET code
15-1241.01
Job zone
3
Typical education
Not recorded
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$134,050
Hourly median
$64.45
Employment
179,740
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
$79,900
10th
$104,620
25th
$134,050
Median
$168,200
75th
$202,680
90th
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.88 | 3.88 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Active Listening | 3.62 | 3.88 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.38 | 3.62 |
| Writing | 3.38 | 3.75 |
| Monitoring | 3.25 | 3.50 |
| Active Learning | 3.25 | 3.88 |
| Speaking | 3.25 | 3.88 |
| Coordination | 3.25 | 3.38 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.25 | 3.38 |
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Develop, maintain, or implement telecommunications disaster recovery plans to ensure business continuity.
- Estimate costs for system or component implementation and operation.
- Install, or coordinate installation of, new or modified hardware, software, or programming modules of telecommunications systems.
- Document technical specifications and operating standards for telecommunications equipment.
Technology
- 2AB iLock Security Services
- Access management software
- Antivirus software
- Apache Kafka
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Autodesk Navisworks
- Autodesk Revit
- Avaya Identity Engines
- Call accounting software
- Cisco Systems Cisco Traffic Analyzer
- Firewall software
- IBM Domino
- IBM Lotus 1-2-3
- IBM Notes
Telecommunications Engineering Specialists salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Telecommunications Engineering Specialists Salary in COMedian $139,230 · Employment 16,380
- Telecommunications Engineering Specialists Salary in CAMedian $158,870 · Employment 14,870
- Telecommunications Engineering Specialists Salary in TXMedian $133,310 · Employment 13,650
- Telecommunications Engineering Specialists Salary in Denver, COMedian $139,230 · Employment 10,260
- Telecommunications Engineering Specialists Salary in New York, NYMedian $163,010 · Employment 10,230
- Telecommunications Engineering Specialists Salary in NYMedian $140,390 · Employment 9,800
- Telecommunications Engineering Specialists Salary in VAMedian $141,340 · Employment 9,380
- Telecommunications Engineering Specialists Salary in Washington, DCMedian $159,820 · Employment 9,370
- Telecommunications Engineering Specialists Salary in FLMedian $132,800 · Employment 9,370
- Telecommunications Engineering Specialists Salary in NCMedian $127,320 · Employment 8,350
- Telecommunications Engineering Specialists Salary in ILMedian $132,790 · Employment 7,810
- Telecommunications Engineering Specialists Salary in GAMedian $133,890 · Employment 7,690
Related careers
- Computer Hardware EngineersNational median $161,740
- Telecommunications Line Installers and RepairersNational median $74,330
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial EquipmentNational median $74,090
- Broadcast TechniciansNational median $59,570
- Computer and Information Systems ManagersNational median $175,140
- Database AdministratorsNational median $104,620
- Information Security AnalystsNational median $129,180
- Radio Frequency Identification Device SpecialistsNational median $130,220
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.