Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers
Install, set up, rearrange, or remove switching, distribution, routing, and dialing equipment used in central offices or headends. Service or repair telephone, cable television, Internet, and other communications equipment on customers' property. May install communications equipment or communications wiring in buildings.
Also called: Broadband Technician (Broadband Tech), Combination Technician (Combination Tech), Customer Service Technician (CST), Installer, Network Technician (Network Tech), Outside Plant Technician (Outside Plant Tech)
- Median pay in Greater Boston
- $78,240
- $37.62/hr
- Jobs in Greater Boston
- 2,140
- Massachusetts 2024–2034
- Not published
- Typical U.S. entry requirement
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- plus Moderate-term on-the-job training
Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.
Pay range in Greater Boston
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $39,750 | $64,020 | $78,240 | $94,690 | $107,020 |
10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.
What you’d do
- Note differences in wire and cable colors so that work can be performed correctly.
- Test circuits and components of malfunctioning telecommunications equipment to isolate sources of malfunctions, using test meters, circuit diagrams, polarity probes, and other hand tools.
- Drive crew trucks to and from work areas.
- Assemble and install communication equipment such as data and telephone communication lines, wiring, switching equipment, wiring frames, power apparatus, computer systems, and networks.
- Run wires between components and to outside cable systems, connecting them to wires from telephone poles or underground cable accesses.
- Inspect equipment on a regular basis to ensure proper functioning.
AI and this job
AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.
Lower exposure26 of 100
The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:
- AIOE 22
- Language-model AIOE 19
- GPTs-are-GPTs 37
Observed AI use today: Some (Anthropic Economic Index)
AI exposure for this job is lower, though some workers already use AI tools. Tools may help with troubleshooting circuits and reading diagrams. Running wires, installing equipment, and working on customers' property still need a person on site.
Likely to change
- Troubleshooting circuits and reading diagrams
- Finding the source of equipment faults
Still relies on people
- Running wires and installing equipment on site
- Driving crews and working at customer sites
Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.
Next steps from here
Related jobs that build on what you already do.
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers
Testing lines and finding faults carry over directly. It pays more ($103,090 median) and is learned through long-term on-the-job training.
- Pay difference
- +$24,850 median
- AI exposure
- Lower
- MA growth
- +0.9%
- To get started
- High school diploma or equivalent
Electricians
Wiring skills and following plans carry over. It pays about the same ($79,910 median) with 11.6% projected growth, learned through an apprenticeship.
- Pay difference
- +$1,670 median
- AI exposure
- Lower
- MA growth
- +11.6%
- To get started
- High school diploma or equivalent
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
Testing electrical circuits and talking with customers about faults carry over. It pays $78,530 median with 9.9% projected growth.
- Pay difference
- +$290 median
- AI exposure
- Lower
- MA growth
- +9.9%
- To get started
- Postsecondary nondegree award
Training near Boston
College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).
No college programs near Boston map to this job. Many people enter through on-the-job training or apprenticeship.
Talk to a career coach at the Office of Workforce Development about apprenticeships and City partner programs.
Related occupations
- Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers
- Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment
- Computer Network Architects
- Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers
- Power Distributors and Dispatchers
- Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers
- Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles
- Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Talk to a career coach
A coach at the Office of Workforce Development can help you plan your next step, and connect you with training, apprenticeships and City partner programs that are not listed here.
Talk to a career coach