What is a Telecommunications Engineering Specialist?
Telecommunications Engineering Specialist Definition Design or configure voice, video, and data communications systems. Supervise installation and post-installation service and maintenance.
A Day in the Life of a Telecommunications Engineering Specialist
- Estimate costs for system or component implementation and operation.
- Review and evaluate requests from engineers, managers, and technicians for system modifications.
- Consult with users, administrators, and engineers to identify business and technical requirements for proposed system modifications or technology purchases.
- Implement or perform preventive maintenance, backup, or recovery procedures.
- Work with personnel and facilities management staff to install, remove, or relocate user connectivity equipment and devices.
- Use computer-aided design (CAD) software to prepare or evaluate network diagrams, floor plans, or site configurations for existing facilities, renovations, or new systems.
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Telecommunications Engineering Specialist Required Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Telecommunications Engineering Specialists say are important on the job.
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.
Other Telecommunications Engineering Specialist Job Titles
- Network Operations Center Technician (NOC Technician)
- Telecom Network Manager (Telecommunication Network Manager)
- Voice Engineer
- Communications Technician
- Telecommunications Management Specialist
Job Demand for Telecommunications Engineering Specialists
In the United States, there were 162,700 jobs for Telecommunications Engineering Specialist in 2016. 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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Telecommunications Engineering Specialists
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Telecommunications Engineering Specialists:
- 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 do I Become a Telecommunications Engineering Specialist?
Education needed to be a Telecommunications Engineering Specialist:

How Long Does it Take to Become a Telecommunications Engineering Specialist?

Where Telecommunications Engineering Specialists Work

The table below shows the approximate number of Telecommunications Engineering Specialists employed by various industries.

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