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Telecommunications engineering technician

Also called telecom administrator, telecoms administrator, communication administrator

Telecommunications engineering technician deploy, maintain and monitor a telecommunication system that provides interactions between data and voice communications, such as telephone, video conferencing, computer, and voicemail systems. They are also involved in the design, manufacturing, construction, maintenance and repair of telecommunication systems. Telecommunications engineering technicians provide technical assistance in the research and development of telecommunication equipment.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospects45 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Information and communications techniciansWhat does it pay?About averageFrom about €1,700 (Bulgaria) to €7,000 (Ireland) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Information and communications techniciansWhat do I need to study?Usually post-secondary or a short degree5 in 10 have a degree. 4 in 10 train through vocational routes.Information and communications techniciansWill AI change it?LittleLevel 2 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Telecommunications engineering technicians · ILO

What you'd do

Telecommunications engineering technicians · ILO
  • Providing technical assistance connected with research and the development of telecommunications equipment, or testing prototypes
  • Studying technical material such as blue prints and sketches to determine the method of work to be adopted
  • Preparing detailed estimates of quantities and costs of materials and labour required for the manufacture and installation of telecommunications equipment, according to the specifications given
  • Providing technical supervision of the manufacture, utilization, maintenance and repair of telecommunications systems to ensure satisfactory performance and compliance with specifications and regulations
  • Applying technical knowledge of telecommunications engineering principles and practices in order to identify and solve problems arising in the course of their work
Operate electronic measuring instrumentsCalibrate electronic instrumentsUse session border controllerUpgrade firmwareInstall monitors for process control+ 10 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors and outdoors
  • A mix of sitting and standing
  • Lots of contact with people, including the public
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Usually 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the similar US job "Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

Many jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as information and communications technicians in the EU
1.49m2.03m2.48m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
368,000 new jobs 590,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Information and communications technicians45
All jobs29
Right now
6 of 27 countries report a shortage of telecommunications engineering technicians, 6 a surplus.
Telecommunications engineering technicians · EURES

What does it pay?

About average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,700 a month (Bulgaria) to €7,000 (Ireland), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among technicians and associate professionals in the EU, women earn 16% less per hour than men. Technicians and associate professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually post-secondary or a short degree

Post-secondary training or a short degree in software and applications development and analysis is the usual route.

Highest qualification of information and communications technicians (EU, 2025)
Degree 46%Vocational 33%General secondary 13%Basic schooling 8%
Fields that teach it
Software and applications development and analysis · Electronics and automation
Vocational route, EU
4 in 10 trainees in this field
ICT graduates in a matching job
77% in the EU

887 institutions in the EU offer ICT bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.45 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 5 tasks
Providing technical assistance connected with research and the development of telecommunications equipment, or testing prototypes0.47
Providing technical supervision of the manufacture, utilization, maintenance and repair of telecommunications systems to ensure satisfactory performance and compliance with specifications and regulations0.47
Applying technical knowledge of telecommunications engineering principles and practices in order to identify and solve problems arising in the course of their work0.47
Preparing detailed estimates of quantities and costs of materials and labour required for the manufacture and installation of telecommunications equipment, according to the specifications given0.46
Studying technical material such as blue prints and sketches to determine the method of work to be adopted0.39

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for telecommunications engineering technicians. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).