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Career Profile

Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers

What they do:

Install and repair telecommunications cable, including fiber optics.

Also Called:

Cable Splicer, Cable Technician, Cable Television Technician (Cable TV Tech), Combination Technician, Field Service Technician, Installation and Repair Technician (I and R Technician), Installer, Lineman, Outside Plant Technician, Service Technician, Cable Splicer, Cable Technician, Cable Television Technician (Cable TV Tech), Combination Technician, Field Service Technician, Installation and Repair Technician (I and R Technician), Installer, Lineman, Outside Plant Technician, Service Technician

KY Employment Data

*State data provided by O*NET & BLS
Compare State Data      Compare Metro Area Data   
$42,450
Starting Salary (2025)
$64,010
Median Salary (2025)
-3.1%
Projected Job Growth
1,870
KY Employment (2025)

Typical Tasks

Clean or maintain tools or test equipment.
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.
Pull cable through ducts by hand or with winches.
Inspect or test lines or cables, recording and analyzing test results, to assess transmission characteristics and locate faults or malfunctions.
Measure signal strength at utility poles, using electronic test equipment.

A day in the life

What kind of work is this?

Realistic
Practical, Physical Work
Conventional
Organized, Procedural Work
Investigative
Studying, Research based work

What personality traits do you need to succeed?

Dependability
Attention to Detail
Cooperation
Self-Control
Integrity
Stress Tolerance

What key skills are needed for this job?

Complex Problem Solving
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Operations Monitoring
Monitoring
Equipment Maintenance

Expected Knowledge

Telecommunications

Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Common Activities

Performing General Physical Activities

Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment

Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Education & Preparation

Some occupations may require additional education, advanced degrees, and years of experience in the field.
Talk to your support team on campus about this career pathway and additional degree information.
Job Zone 2

Some Preparation Needed

Education

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed.

Training

Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Typical Education Required

Education a new hire may need

  • High school diploma 60%
  • Post-secondary certificate 14%
  • Less than high school 13%
  • Some college 12%
  • Associate's degree 1%
Source: O*NET Education, Training & Experience data

Related Careers

Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers
Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers
Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment

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*Data on career profiles are based on information supplied by the O*NET Program, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration.