Skills it runs on
The capabilities O*NET rates most important for this occupation — the human ground the work is built on.
See all skills →Telecommunications Engineering Specialists
Occupation · SOC 15-1241.01
Design or configure wired, wireless, and satellite communications systems for voice, video, and data services. Supervise installation, service, and maintenance.
Also called: Communications Engineer · Engineer · Infrastructure Engineer · Telecommunications Consultant (Telecom Consultant) · Network Engineer · Registered Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD) · Telecommunication Design Analyst (Telecom Design Analyst) · Telecommunication Design Engineer (Telecom Design Engineer) · Telecommunication Engineer (Telecom Engineer) · Telecommunication Systems Designer (Telecom Systems Designer) · Communications Analyst · Communications Network Engineer
Job family: Computer and Mathematical Occupations
Take this to your AI
A source-stamped Markdown brief of this occupation — paste it into an agent, or fetch
/roles/role-15-1241-01/context.md directly.
AI work map
A fast read on where AI already shows up in this occupation, where it stays a copilot, where humans remain in the loop, and what the labor market is doing. Built from observed Claude.ai conversations mapped to O*NET tasks and from published research — measures of usage and exposure, not advice or predictions that the job is going away.
Market signal
Independent published positions, read together — not a forecast.
- Growing fast employment outlook (+11.9% by 2034)
- 11,200 openings/yr
- High AI exposure
- Median pay $130,390/yr
80th-percentile task overlap — yet about 11,200 openings a year (+11.9% projected, BLS) . What exposure means →
AI & job outlook
What today's research says about this occupation's exposure to AI, how AI is actually being used in it, and where employment is headed. These are positions within published studies — measures of exposure and usage, not predictions that this job will disappear.
Exposure to current AI
Each study uses its own scale, so the raw scores are not comparable across rows — the percentile (this job's rank among all U.S. occupations with data) is the comparable figure, and sizes the bars.
| Measure | Rank vs all occupations | Percentile | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) High | 77th | 0.9 | |
| AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) High | 80th | 0.3 |
OpenAI's exposure study scores tasks three ways: with a language model alone (α 0.3), with simple added tooling (β 0.6), and including AI-powered software (γ 0.9). Higher means more of the job's tasks could be done at least twice as fast — not that they will be automated away.
How AI is actually used in this job
Among measured AI assistant conversations mapped to this occupation (Anthropic Economic Index, 2026-01-15), these task types came up most. These are shares of observed AI conversations — not shares of the job, of worker time, or of what could be automated.
| Implement controls to provide security for operating systems, software, and data. | 3.5% | |
| Manage user access to systems and equipment through account management and password administration. | 1.8% | |
| Document procedures for hardware and software installation and use. | 1.7% | |
| Keep abreast of changes in industry practices and emerging telecommunications technology by reviewing current literature, talking with colleagues, participating in educational programs, attending meetings or workshops, or participating in professional organizations or conferences. | 1.2% | |
| Instruct in use of voice, video, and data communications systems. | 0.8% | |
| Document technical specifications and operating standards for telecommunications equipment. | 0.5% |
Job outlook
Independent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projection for 2024–2034 — a labor-market forecast, not an AI-impact forecast.
| Outlook | Growing fast · +11.9% by 2034 |
| Projected annual openings | 11,200 |
| Employment 2024 → 2034 | 179,200 → 200,600 |
“Annual openings” counts new jobs plus replacements for workers who leave the occupation, so it can be large even when growth is modest.
Tasks
All 26 tasks O*NET lists for this occupation, ordered by importance. Each links to its own page with AI-exposure and observed-use detail.
- Consult with users, administrators, and engineers to identify business and technical requirements for proposed system modifications or technology purchases. Core · importance 4.3
- Implement system renovation projects in collaboration with technical staff, engineering consultants, installers, and vendors. Core · importance 4.3
- Keep abreast of changes in industry practices and emerging telecommunications technology by reviewing current literature, talking with colleagues, participating in educational programs, attending meetings or workshops, or participating in professional organizations or conferences. Core · importance 4.2
- Review and evaluate requests from engineers, managers, and technicians for system modifications. Core · importance 4.2
- Assess existing facilities' needs for new or modified telecommunications systems. Core · importance 4.1
- Implement controls to provide security for operating systems, software, and data. Supplemental · importance 4.1
- Develop, maintain, or implement telecommunications disaster recovery plans to ensure business continuity. Core · importance 4.1
- Communicate with telecommunications vendors to obtain pricing and technical specifications for available hardware, software, or services. Core · importance 4.0
- Document procedures for hardware and software installation and use. Core · importance 4.0
- Inspect sites to determine physical configuration, such as device locations and conduit pathways. Core · importance 4.0
- Manage user access to systems and equipment through account management and password administration. Supplemental · importance 4.0
- Install, or coordinate installation of, new or modified hardware, software, or programming modules of telecommunications systems. Core · importance 3.9
- Implement or perform preventive maintenance, backup, or recovery procedures. Core · importance 3.9
- Instruct in use of voice, video, and data communications systems. Core · importance 3.9
- Monitor and analyze system performance, such as network traffic, security, and capacity. Supplemental · importance 3.9
- Test and evaluate hardware and software to determine efficiency, reliability, or compatibility with existing systems. Supplemental · importance 3.9
- Prepare purchase requisitions for computer hardware and software, networking and telecommunications equipment, test equipment, cabling, or tools. Core · importance 3.8
- Document technical specifications and operating standards for telecommunications equipment. Core · importance 3.8
- Document user support activity, such as system problems, corrective actions, resolution status, and completed equipment installations. Core · importance 3.8
- Provide user support by diagnosing network and device problems and implementing technical or procedural solutions. Core · importance 3.8
- Estimate costs for system or component implementation and operation. Core · importance 3.7
- Order or maintain inventory of telecommunications equipment for customer premises equipment (CPE), facilities, access networks, or backbone networks. Core · importance 3.6
- Work with personnel and facilities management staff to install, remove, or relocate user connectivity equipment and devices. Core · importance 3.5
- Supervise maintenance of telecommunications equipment. Supplemental · importance 3.4
- Use computer-aided design (CAD) software to prepare or evaluate network diagrams, floor plans, or site configurations for existing facilities, renovations, or new systems. Core · importance 3.3
- Prepare system activity and performance reports. Core · importance 3.3
Work activities
- Update knowledge about emerging industry or technology trends.
- Estimate time or monetary resources needed to complete projects.
- Maintain contingency plans for disaster recovery.
- Test computer hardware performance.
- Evaluate project designs to determine adequacy or feasibility.
- Maintain computer hardware.
- Evaluate new technologies or methods.
- Troubleshoot issues with computer applications or systems.
- Provide technical support for computer network issues.
- Document network-related activities or tasks.
- Maintain the inventory of equipment.
- Develop models of information or communications systems.
- Monitor the performance of computer networks.
- Analyze security of systems, network, or data.
- Implement security measures for computer or information systems.
- Identify information technology project resource requirements.
- Coordinate project activities with other personnel or departments.
- Create electronic data backup to prevent loss of information.
- Document operational activities.
- Document technical specifications or requirements.
- Document operational procedures.
- Install computer hardware.
- Collaborate with others to determine design specifications or details.
- Conduct research to gain information about products or processes.
- Analyze project data to determine specifications or requirements.
- Install computer software.
- Coordinate software or hardware installation.
- Teach others to use computer equipment or hardware.
Knowledge, skills & abilities
O*NET importance rating, from 1 (not important) to 5 (extremely important).
Knowledge
| Telecommunications | 4.9 | |
| Computers and Electronics | 4.0 | |
| Engineering and Technology | 4.0 | |
| English Language | 3.6 | |
| Mathematics | 3.6 | |
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.5 | |
| Administration and Management | 3.4 | |
| Design | 3.1 |
Abilities
| Oral Comprehension | 3.8 | |
| Oral Expression | 3.8 | |
| Problem Sensitivity | 3.6 | |
| Written Comprehension | 3.5 | |
| Near Vision | 3.5 | |
| Information Ordering | 3.4 | |
| Written Expression | 3.3 | |
| Deductive Reasoning | 3.3 | |
| Inductive Reasoning | 3.3 | |
| Fluency of Ideas | 3.1 | |
| Originality | 3.1 | |
| Category Flexibility | 3.1 | |
| Mathematical Reasoning | 3.1 | |
| Number Facility | 3.1 | |
| Speech Recognition | 3.1 | |
| Speech Clarity | 3.1 |
Essential skills
| Reading Comprehension | 3.6 | |
| Active Listening | 3.6 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.6 | |
| Active Learning | 3.4 | |
| Writing | 3.3 | |
| Speaking | 3.3 | |
| Monitoring | 3.1 | |
| Mathematics | 3.0 |
Transferable skills
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.1 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 | |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.1 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 | |
| Systems Analysis | 3.1 | |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.1 | |
| Coordination | 3.0 | |
| Persuasion | 3.0 |
Skills in demand
Skills employers ask for in job postings for this occupation (Lightcast), with whether each is a common or specialized skill.
Showing the top 40 of 51.
Tools & technology
Showing the top 40 of 53.
Work context
How characteristic each condition is of the job, on O*NET's 1–5 context scale (higher = more present in day-to-day work). Each condition links to how it varies across all occupations.
How to get in
- Job zone
- Zone 3 — Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Typical entry-level education
- Bachelor's degree · BLS, the typical path — not a requirement
- Related experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Preparation level
- SVP (6.0 to < 7.0) — total schooling plus on-the-job experience.
What to study: Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services , Engineering . Fields of study crosswalked to this occupation (NCES CIP–SOC), not a requirement.
Education of current workers
Share of people in this occupation at each level of education.
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 23.8% | |
| Bachelor's Degree | 19.1% | |
| Some College Courses | 14.3% | |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 14.3% | |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 14.3% | |
| High School Diploma | 4.8% | |
| Master's Degree | 4.8% | |
| First Professional Degree | 4.8% |
Interests & work styles
The interests and personal qualities O*NET associates with people who do this work.
Interest areas
| Information Technology | 6.0 | |
| Engineering | 6.0 | |
| Mechanics/Electronics | 4.9 | |
| Mathematics/Statistics | 3.5 | |
| Management/Administration | 3.0 | |
| Business Initiatives | 2.0 |
Work styles
| Dependability | 6.0 | |
| Attention to Detail | 5.0 | |
| Cautiousness | 4.0 | |
| Intellectual Curiosity | 3.0 | |
| Adaptability | 2.0 |
Career interests (Holland / RIASEC)
| Conventional | 5.0 | |
| Realistic | 4.5 | |
| Investigative | 4.3 | |
| Enterprising | 3.1 | |
| Social | 2.3 |
Wages & employment
U.S. · annual wages (BLS OEWS)
| 10th percentile | $79,520 |
| 25th percentile | $102,120 |
| Median (50th) | $130,390 |
| 75th percentile | $164,440 |
| 90th percentile | $198,030 |
| People employed | 177,010 |
Wages and employment are reported by BLS for the broader occupation group this specialty belongs to (SOC 15-1241), not for the specialty alone.
Industries that employ this occupation
Where these workers are employed, by number of jobs (national, BLS OEWS). Pay shown is the occupation's national median, not industry-specific.
| Industry | Workers | National median pay |
|---|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services · Sector | 65,030 | $131,470 |
| Information · Sector | 32,580 | $125,140 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises · Sector | 17,530 | $137,770 |
| Finance and Insurance · Sector | 17,110 | $136,230 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services · Sector | 10,830 | $127,800 |
| Wholesale Trade · Sector | 6,990 | $147,170 |
| Manufacturing · Sector | 6,790 | $137,280 |
| Temporary Help Services · National industry | 6,380 | $130,670 |
| Educational Services · Sector | 4,950 | $105,810 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance · Sector | 4,410 | $119,450 |
| Engineering Services · National industry | 4,130 | $127,160 |
| Direct Health and Medical Insurance Carriers · National industry | 1,860 | $136,370 |
Where this work is most concentrated
Industries where this occupation is far more common than in the economy as a whole. The location quotient is how many times more concentrated it is here (a value of 5 means five times its economy-wide share).
| Industry | Concentration | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Information · Sector | 9.76× | 32,580 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises · Sector | 5.44× | 17,530 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services · Sector | 5.26× | 65,030 |
| Direct Health and Medical Insurance Carriers · National industry | 3.61× | 1,860 |
| Engineering Services · National industry | 3.11× | 4,130 |
| Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation · National industry | 3.05× | 250 |
| Finance and Insurance · Sector | 2.39× | 17,110 |
| Temporary Help Services · National industry | 2.1× | 6,380 |
Related occupations
Part of the Digital Technology career cluster.
- Computer Network Architects · 15-1241.00 Compare →
- Computer Network Support Specialists · 15-1231.00 Compare →
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers · 49-2022.00 Compare →
- Computer Systems Engineers/Architects · 15-1299.08 Compare →
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators · 15-1244.00 Compare →
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer · 17-2072.00 Compare →
- Computer Systems Analysts · 15-1211.00 Compare →
- Software Developers · 15-1252.00 Compare →
- Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers · 49-2021.00 Compare →
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians · 17-3023.00 Compare →
- Information Security Engineers · 15-1299.05 Compare →
- Computer User Support Specialists · 15-1232.00 Compare →
Side-by-side comparisons place two occupations’ pay, preparation, skills, and AI exposure on the same page — same data, same scale, no forecast.
What you can do with this
Options the data surfaces for Telecommunications Engineering Specialists — not advice or a forecast. Each is a real cross-link you can follow into the evidence.
Skills that travel
Capabilities this work builds that are used across many other occupations.
Adjacent roles
Occupations O*NET rates as related — the nearby moves on the map.
Paths in
How people typically prepare for this work.
- Bachelor's degree · typical entry level
- Job zone 3 — Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed · preparation tier
- Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services · field of study
- Engineering · field of study
Zoom out
See where this work sits in the bigger picture.
Write a report on thisheadline · factoids · citation
Telecommunications Engineering Specialists show 80th-percentile AI task overlap — and about 11,200 annual U.S. openings
- Telecommunications Engineering Specialists rank in the 80th percentile (High band) for AI task overlap across U.S. occupations — a measure of how much of the work today's AI can attempt, not how much is automated.Eloundou et al. (GPTs are GPTs) + Felten AIOE
- The occupation is projected to see about 11,200 U.S. job openings per year (2024–34), counting growth and replacement — a labor-demand projection made independently of AI.BLS Employment Projections 2024–34
- BLS projects employment to be growing fast (+11.9%) from 2024 to 2034.BLS Employment Projections 2024–34
- Median annual pay is $130,390, across about 177,010 U.S. workers.BLS OEWS (May 2024)
Copy the whole kit
Telecommunications Engineering Specialists show 80th-percentile AI task overlap — and about 11,200 annual U.S. openings • Telecommunications Engineering Specialists rank in the 80th percentile (High band) for AI task overlap across U.S. occupations — a measure of how much of the work today's AI can attempt, not how much is automated. (Eloundou et al. (GPTs are GPTs) + Felten AIOE) • The occupation is projected to see about 11,200 U.S. job openings per year (2024–34), counting growth and replacement — a labor-demand projection made independently of AI. (BLS Employment Projections 2024–34) • BLS projects employment to be growing fast (+11.9%) from 2024 to 2034. (BLS Employment Projections 2024–34) • Median annual pay is $130,390, across about 177,010 U.S. workers. (BLS OEWS (May 2024)) Source: Singulariki — "Telecommunications Engineering Specialists". https://singulariki.com/roles/role-15-1241-01 Note: AI task overlap measures what today's AI can attempt, not automation, job loss, or a forecast.
AssetsShare imageMethodology & sourcesPress & newsroomThe newsroom
Every line is built only from figures this page already shows and cites. AI task overlap means what today's AI can attempt — not automation, job loss, or a forecast.
Sources for this page
Every figure above traces to a named public dataset and the exact release below — not hand-written opinion. See the full methodology for what each measure does and does not mean.
- O*NET 30.3 U.S. Department of Labor / National Center for O*NET Development
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27) Anthropic
- Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai Microsoft Research
- “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130 OpenAI / academic
Data compiled June 2, 2026. Figures are estimates, not advice.
Cite this page
Plain
Singulariki. "Telecommunications Engineering Specialists." Singulariki: a source-backed encyclopedia of work. Built from O*NET 30.3; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024; BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034; Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27); Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130. Accessed June 7, 2026. https://singulariki.com/roles/role-15-1241-01
APA
Singulariki. (2026). Telecommunications Engineering Specialists. Singulariki: a source-backed encyclopedia of work. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from https://singulariki.com/roles/role-15-1241-01
BibTeX
@misc{singulariki-role-15-1241-01,
title = {Telecommunications Engineering Specialists},
author = {{Singulariki}},
year = {2026},
note = {O*NET 30.3; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024; BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034; Anthropic Economic Index v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27); Microsoft “Working with AI” working-with-ai; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130. Accessed June 7, 2026},
url = {https://singulariki.com/roles/role-15-1241-01}
} Citations name the underlying public dataset releases — they reflect what this page is built from, not just the URL.