From phone lines to fiber optics, telecommunications techs are the reason people stay connected. It’s hands-on, in-demand work, and you don’t need a college degree to do it.
Telecommunications equipment installers set up and maintain the systems that deliver phone, internet, cable, and data services. They work in homes, offices, utility boxes, or central hubs, connecting the physical infrastructure that powers digital communication.
This role goes by many titles: broadband technician, field tech, central office technician, combination technician, or simply installer. Whether you're working indoors or out in the field, your job is to make the signal flow.
You don’t need a four-year degree to break into telecommunications, but you do need technical know-how, problem-solving skills, and safety training.
Here’s how many people get started:
Finish high school or earn a GED: Required by most employers and training programs.
Learn basic electrical or networking skills: Experience in cable, fiber, or IT support can be helpful but isn’t always required.
Take a telecom training course: Some community colleges and trade schools offer short-term training in telecom systems, low-voltage wiring, or network cabling.
Apply for entry-level field or installation roles: Many companies offer paid, on-the-job training for new technicians.
No. Most telecom installers learn through short-term training or on-the-job experience. A high school diploma or GED is typically required.
You might work at customer homes, office buildings, outdoor utility boxes, underground wiring hubs, or central switching facilities.
You might work with modems, routers, fiber optic lines, phone switches, cable systems, or network cabling.
Yes. Many people start in telecom installation and later move into network administration, fiber optics, or systems support.
