Telecommunications line installers and repairers
SOC Code: 49-9052
Telecommunications line installers and repairers carries a 28% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $70,500 and -3.1% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 99,900 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Telecommunications line installers and repairers (SOC 49-9052) carries an AI exposure score of 28%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 99,900 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -3.1% change through 2034 — a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $70,500, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Telecommunications line installers and repairers. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Registered Apprenticeship Pathway Available
Telecommunications line installers and repairers is a recognized registered apprenticeship occupation under the DOL RAPIDS system. Earn while you train — apprentices typically start at ~$16/hr and reach $28–$46/hr upon completion, depending on the specific trade and region.
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Set up service for customers, installing, connecting, testing, or adjusting equipment.
- 2. Explain cable service to subscribers after installation, and collect any installation fees due.
- 3. Travel to customers' premises to install, maintain, or repair audio and visual electronic reception equipment or accessories.
- 4. Measure signal strength at utility poles, using electronic test equipment.
- 5. Inspect or test lines or cables, recording and analyzing test results, to assess transmission characteristics and locate faults or malfunctions.
- 6. Splice cables, using hand tools, epoxy, or mechanical equipment.
- 7. Access specific areas to string lines, or install terminal boxes, auxiliary equipment, or appliances, using bucket trucks, climbing poles or ladders, or entering tunnels, trenches, or crawl spaces.
- 8. Place insulation over conductors, or seal splices with moisture-proof covering.
- 9. Clean or maintain tools or test equipment.
- 10. String cables between structures and lines from poles, towers, or trenches, and pull lines to proper tension.
Key Skills Required
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Operations Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Coordination
- Operation and Control
- Equipment Maintenance
- Troubleshooting
Knowledge Areas
- Telecommunications
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Computers and Electronics
- Mechanical
- Education and Training
- Communications and Media
- Administration and Management
- Engineering and Technology
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Telecommunications line installers and repairers?
Telecommunications line installers and repairers has an AI exposure score of 28%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Telecommunications line installers and repairers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Telecommunications line installers and repairers is projected to decline by 3.1% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 99,900 workers.
What skills are needed for Telecommunications line installers and repairers?
Key skills for Telecommunications line installers and repairers include Speaking, Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Telecommunications line installers and repairers earn?
The median annual wage for Telecommunications line installers and repairers is $70,500, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Telecommunications line installers and repairers?
The typical entry-level education for Telecommunications line installers and repairers is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Long-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Telecommunications line installers and repairers?
Telecommunications line installers and repairers roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).