Telecommunications Engineering Specialists

Overview

Telecommunications Engineering Specialists has a national median salary of $134,050 per year, with +7.7% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a bachelor's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation.

Description

Design or configure wired, wireless, and satellite communications systems for voice, video, and data services. Supervise installation, service, and maintenance.

Work Values

• Achievement
• Support
• Working Conditions

Work Styles

Responsibilities

Tasks

• 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.

Work Activities

• Working with Computers
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Getting Information
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
• Documenting/Recording Information
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment

Detailed Work Activities

• Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

T-A-S-K

Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

Education

Education Levels of Current Workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a bachelor's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation. The chart below shows the highest level of education held by people already working in this field, ages 25 and older. It includes workers who earned more education than the job requires and workers who entered the field under earlier requirements, so the largest bar is not the entry requirement. For example, if someone finished a master's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Master's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for a bachelor's degree.

Certificates

Certifications applicable to Telecommunications Engineering Specialists:

Video Resources