Employment for telecommunications equipment installers and repairers is expected to grow by 4 percent through 2032, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). General installation and maintenance work won't be in high demand because many buildings are now prewired and modern telecommunications equipment is sturdier and more reliable than it has been in the past. This development will likely have an adverse impact on the employment prospects of telecommunications equipment installers and repairers because as equipment becomes more reliable and durable, it requires less need for telecommunications installers and repairers.
Consumers are increasingly using wireless and mobile services, which often require minimal or negligible professional installation compared with high-speed digital subscriber line (DSL), cable, and satellite telecommunications delivery services. Moreover, the increasing preference of media entertainment consumers to use streaming services, such as Netflix and Hulu, in order to view, at their convenience, entertainment content on their mobile and wireless devices will affect employment prospects for telecommunication equipment installers and repairers.
However, consumers, businesses, and governments will continue to need cable and wireless services for faster and better connections, so there will be job opportunities for installers and repairers. Cable companies will need technicians to install additional fiber optic cables, work with new technologies that increase cable line capacities and capabilities, and maintain the systems. In addition, installation of systems may become more time consuming as customers personalize their selection of services for their various needs. More jobs will stem from the growing popularity of video on demand and broadband Internet, which require high data transfer rates in telecommunications systems. Headend technicians and other related workers will be needed to maintain and repair switchers and routers. Those with strong technical skills should have good employment opportunities.
- Computer and Office Machine Service Technicians
- Computer Network Administrators
- Computer Programmers
- Computer Support Specialists
- Computer Systems Programmer/Analysts
- Customer Service Representatives
- Electrical Engineering Technologists
- Electrical Engineers
- Electronics Engineering Technicians
- Electronics Engineers
- Electronics Service Technicians
- Engineering Technicians
- Engineers
- Fiber Optics Technicians
- Internet Developers
- Internet Security Specialists
- Line Installers and Cable Splicers
- Microelectronics Technicians
- Network Operations Center Engineers
- Network Operations Center Technicians
- Software Application Developers
- Telecommunications Network Engineers
- Telephone and PBX Installers and Repairers
- Telephone Operators
- Wireless Service Technicians
