Life As a Telecommunications Engineering Specialist
Job Description: Design or configure voice, video, and data communications systems. Supervise installation and post-installation service and maintenance.
What Do Telecommunications Engineering Specialists Do On a Daily Basis?
- Use computer-aided design (CAD) software to prepare or evaluate network diagrams, floor plans, or site configurations for existing facilities, renovations, or new systems.
- Estimate costs for system or component implementation and operation.
- Implement controls to provide security for operating systems, software, and data.
- Manage user access to systems and equipment through account management and password administration.
- Prepare purchase requisitions for computer hardware and software, networking and telecommunications equipment, test equipment, cabling, or tools.
- Install, or coordinate installation of, new or modified hardware, software, or programming modules of telecommunications systems.
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What Every Telecommunications Engineering Specialist Should Know
When polled, Telecommunications Engineering Specialists say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Network Operations Center Technician (NOC Technician)
- Network Engineer
- Telecommunications Consultant
- Telecommunications Specialist (Telecom Specialist)
- Telecommunications Analyst (Telecom Analyst)
Is There Going to be Demand for Telecommunications Engineering Specialists?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 162,700 jobs in the United States for Telecommunications Engineering Specialist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.5% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 10,500 new jobs for Telecommunications Engineering Specialist by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 11,700 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Telecommunications Engineering Specialist are Utah, Tennessee, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in New Jersey, Ohio, or Alaska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Telecommunications Engineering Specialist
The average yearly salary of a Telecommunications Engineering Specialist ranges between $60,310 and $164,280.

Telecommunications Engineering Specialists who work in Delaware, Maryland, or New Jersey, make the highest salaries.
How much do Telecommunications Engineering Specialists make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $104,580 |
Alaska | $94,250 |
Arizona | $101,750 |
Arkansas | $89,840 |
California | $127,500 |
Colorado | $115,300 |
Connecticut | $122,200 |
Delaware | $126,990 |
District of Columbia | $123,200 |
Florida | $91,180 |
Georgia | $114,240 |
Hawaii | $98,880 |
Illinois | $114,780 |
Indiana | $88,210 |
Iowa | $119,590 |
Kansas | $93,670 |
Kentucky | $77,950 |
Louisiana | $79,560 |
Maine | $97,890 |
Maryland | $121,720 |
Massachusetts | $121,700 |
Michigan | $100,710 |
Minnesota | $110,330 |
Mississippi | $89,550 |
Missouri | $99,880 |
Montana | $88,520 |
Nebraska | $98,430 |
Nevada | $104,350 |
New Hampshire | $123,310 |
New Jersey | $124,310 |
New Mexico | $111,210 |
New York | $113,300 |
North Carolina | $108,040 |
North Dakota | $94,750 |
Ohio | $97,250 |
Oklahoma | $87,160 |
Oregon | $108,990 |
Pennsylvania | $101,090 |
Rhode Island | $117,650 |
South Carolina | $85,450 |
South Dakota | $100,330 |
Tennessee | $102,030 |
Texas | $119,340 |
Utah | $114,900 |
Vermont | $85,930 |
Virginia | $123,050 |
Washington | $111,960 |
West Virginia | $92,060 |
Wisconsin | $97,110 |
What Tools do Telecommunications Engineering Specialists Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Telecommunications Engineering Specialists may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Data entry software
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Project
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Visio
- Structured query language SQL
- Linux
- IBM Notes
- Microsoft SQL Server
- UNIX
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
- Practical extraction and reporting language Perl
How to Become a Telecommunications Engineering Specialist
Learn what Telecommunications Engineering Specialist education requirements there are.

What work experience do I need to become a Telecommunications Engineering Specialist?

Where Telecommunications Engineering Specialists Are Employed

Below are examples of industries where Telecommunications Engineering Specialists work:

References:
Image Credit: U.S. Army graphic via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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