Introduction
Station Installers and Repairers, Telephone, are skilled technicians who install, maintain, and repair telephone lines, equipment, and related systems inside homes, businesses, and institutions.
This role combines hands-on electrical and telecom skills with customer service and is essential for maintaining communication infrastructure. While landline usage has declined, demand continues in business, government, and rural areas, as well as in upgraded digital and VoIP systems.
What Does a Station Installer and Repairer Do?
- Installation: Setting up telephone wiring, jacks, and customer equipment.
- Testing: Using diagnostic tools to check line quality and troubleshoot problems.
- Repairs: Fixing static, dropped calls, faulty wiring, or damaged components.
- Upgrades: Installing VoIP and digital telecom systems.
- Customer Service: Explaining issues, recommending solutions, and training users on equipment.
- Documentation: Recording work completed and ensuring compliance with telecom standards.
Work is a mix of indoor and outdoor tasks, often involving travel to customer sites.
Average Requirements
Education
- Minimum: High school diploma or GED.
- Preferred: Vocational training in telecommunications, electronics, or IT.
Skills
- Strong electrical and electronics knowledge.
- Ability to read wiring diagrams and schematics.
- Customer service and communication skills.
- Manual dexterity for wiring and small parts.
- Problem-solving and troubleshooting ability.
Certifications & Licensing
- OSHA safety training (especially for ladder and confined-space work).
- Some employers require CompTIA or telecom certifications.
- CDL may be required if operating service vehicles.
2025 BLS Salary and Job Outlook
The figures below are U.S. national estimates. Wages refer to May 2025; job growth and annual openings refer separately to the 2025–2035 BLS employment projections.
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers
Related O*NET occupation: Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers (49-2022.00). BLS reporting code: 49-2022.
Scope: These figures describe the full BLS occupation listed above, which may include other specialties and job titles. BLS does not publish a separate estimate for this exact guide title.
- Median wage (May 2025): $63,890 per year.
- Mean wage (May 2025): $68,500 per year.
- 10th percentile wage (May 2025): $44,240 per year.
- 25th percentile wage (May 2025): $51,830 per year.
- 75th percentile wage (May 2025): $81,690 per year.
- 90th percentile wage (May 2025): $96,730 per year.
- OEWS employment estimate (May 2025): 140,920. This estimate excludes self-employed workers.
- Employment in the projections base year (2025): 143,100.
- Projected employment (2035): 138,400.
- Projected employment change (2025–2035): -3.3%.
- Projected annual openings (2025–2035 average): 11,300. Openings include employment growth and workers leaving the occupation; they are not all newly created jobs.
Wage percentiles describe the distribution of wages, not guaranteed entry-level or experienced-worker salaries. National figures can differ from pay in a particular state, industry, or employer. OEWS wages do not include self-employed earnings. The projections employment estimates use a different coverage basis and may include self-employed workers.
Sources: BLS May 2025 national OEWS wage estimates; BLS 2025–2035 occupational projections, Table 1.2; BLS OEWS coverage and definitions.
Earnings Potential
- Entry-Level (0–2 years): $36,000 – $42,000 annually.
- Mid-Career (3–7 years): $42,000 – $55,000.
- Experienced (8–15 years): $55,000 – $65,000.
- Senior Specialists / Supervisors: $65,000 – $75,000+.
Hourly pay generally ranges $18–$32/hour, with unionized positions often higher.
Growth Stages & Promotional Path
Stage 1: Helper / Trainee
- Assists with installations and learns wiring basics.
- Works under senior technicians.
Stage 2: Junior Installer / Repairer
- Performs standard installations and simple troubleshooting.
- Gains experience in residential and small business telecom.
Stage 3: Certified Technician
- Handles advanced repairs and digital telecom upgrades.
- May specialize in VoIP or enterprise systems.
Stage 4: Senior Technician / Lead
- Oversees installation teams.
- Works with business clients and larger systems.
Stage 5: Supervisor / Contractor
- Manages telecom operations for a company or runs an independent contracting business.
Education & Training Path
- High School Prep: Focus on electronics, math, and computer science.
- Technical School or Vocational Program: Telecom and electronics courses.
- On-the-Job Training: Many employers train workers in specific telecom systems.
- Certifications: CompTIA A+, Network+, or vendor-specific telecom certifications.
- Continuous Learning: Adapting to VoIP, fiber optics, and digital communication technologies.
Employment Outlook
- Projected Growth: About -2% through 2032 - slight decline as traditional landline usage drops.
- Drivers of Demand:
- Maintenance of existing telephone infrastructure.
- Transition to VoIP and digital communication.
- Business demand for reliable communication systems.
- Industries Hiring:
- Telecom companies.
- IT and VoIP providers.
- Independent contractors.
- Government and institutional telecom services.
Would You Like This Career?
This career may be right for you if you:
- Enjoy electronics and troubleshooting.
- Like working in varied environments with customer interaction.
- Value steady, skilled work in telecom services.
- Don’t mind climbing ladders or working in small spaces.
It may not fit if you:
- Want a fast-growing field with high advancement potential.
- Dislike fieldwork or customer-facing roles.
- Prefer strictly IT/software work over hardware installation.
If you’re considering becoming a Station Installer and Repairer, Telephone, the best next step is to see if your motivations and problem-solving skills match this trade. Take the Free MAPP Career Assessment at Assessment.com to discover whether this telecom role fits you, or if another technical path may be a better match.
