by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Communications Systems Installation & Repair Technology covers Communications Systems Installation And Repair Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Technical Knowledge And Skills To Assemble, Install, Operate, Maintain, And Repair One- And Two- Way Communications Equipment And Systems, Including Television Cable Systems And Mobile Or Stationary Communication Devices. Includes Instruction In Diagnostic Techniques, The Use Of Testing Equipment And The Principles Of Mechanics, Electricity, And Electronics As They Relate To The Repair Of Communications Systems. Read on to learn the essential details every communications systems installation & repair technology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering communications systems installation & repair technology programs.
In the U.S., communications systems installation & repair technology is a widely-pursued major, with 290 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Communications Systems Installation & Repair Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 14 schools to determine the best overall colleges for communications systems installation & repair technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of communications systems installation & repair technology programs later in this article.
Programs in Communications Systems Installation & Repair Technology develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations communications systems installation & repair technology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a communications systems installation & repair technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a communications systems installation & repair technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several communications systems installation & repair technology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 216 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 39 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 26 |
People currently working in careers related to communications systems installation & repair technology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 41.0% |
| Some college courses | 16.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 16.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 10.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 10.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 5.5% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in communications systems installation & repair technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in communications systems installation & repair technology prepares you for numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to communications systems installation & repair technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to communications systems installation & repair technology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers | 554,055 | -3.1% |
| Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers | 405,480 | 11.3% |
| Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers | 369,411 | 11.9% |
| Communications Equipment Operators, All Other | 252,529 | 1.3% |
| Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers | 188,956 | 0.5% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of communications systems installation & repair technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $36,246 |
| 4 years | $37,373 |
| 5 years | $41,963 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for communications systems installation & repair technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers communications systems installation & repair technology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers | $79,400 |
| Communications Equipment Operators, All Other | $61,253 |
| Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers | $47,380 |
| Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers | $38,332 |
| Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers | $37,281 |
With 14 different communications systems installation & repair technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased communications systems installation & repair technology school rankings to help you.
Students interested in communications systems installation & repair technology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
