Searching

Career Exploration

  1. Home

Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers

Also called: Central Office Technician, Install and Repair Technician, Service Technician, Telecommunications Technician

What they do:

Install, set up, rearrange, or remove switching, distribution, routing, and dialing equipment used in central offices or headends. Service or repair telephone, cable television, Internet, and other communications equipment on customers' property. May install communications equipment or communications wiring in buildings.

On the job, you would:
  • Demonstrate equipment to customers and explain its use, responding to any inquiries or complaints.
  • Test circuits and components of malfunctioning telecommunications equipment to isolate sources of malfunctions, using test meters, circuit diagrams, polarity probes, and other hand tools.
  • Test repaired, newly installed, or updated equipment to ensure that it functions properly and conforms to specifications, using test equipment and observation.
On the job, you'll need:

Business

  • customer service

Communications

  • telecommunications

Engineering and Technology

  • computers and electronics
  • mechanical

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Basic Skills

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

People and Technology Systems

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
  • figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it

Hand and Finger Use

  • keep your arm or hand steady
  • hold or move items with your hands

Ideas and Logic

  • notice when problems happen
  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information

Verbal

  • listen and understand what people say
  • communicate by speaking

Visual Understanding

  • see hidden patterns

Realistic

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Attention to Detail
  • Cooperation
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Analytical Thinking

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Analytical or scientific software

  • Fluke ClearSight Analyzer
  • Fluke Networks TechAdvisor Field Access System

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Bright.

New job opportunities are very likely in the future. This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Median Annual Salary: $59,960

Education

High school diploma/GED or certificate after high school is usually needed.

Explore More

See other careers in the following industries: