Career comparison
Telecommunications Lineworker vs. Telecommunications Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Telecommunications lineworkers earn more at the median ($74,330 vs. $63,890), while telecommunications technicians usually get to work faster (3–12 months of training). Telecommunications lineworkers build and repair the cables and fiber that carry internet, TV and phone. Telecommunications technicians install and repair internet, phone and cable systems for homes and businesses.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Telecommunications Lineworker | Telecommunications Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $74,330 ($35.73/hr) | $63,890 ($30.72/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $45,310 – $103,680 | $44,240 – $96,730 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -3.4% (a projected decline) | -3.3% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 8,000 | 11,300 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | 1–3 years | 3–12 months |
| Key credential | Fiber Optic Association CFOT | Fiber Optic Association CFOT |
| Work setting | Lineworkers work outdoors at heights, in trenches and in vehicles, in all weather.. | Technicians work in homes, businesses, utility cabinets, central offices and outdoors, climbing ladders and working in attics and crawl spaces.. |
What each job does
Telecommunications Lineworker
- Install aerial and underground cable
- Splice and test fiber optics
- Climb poles and use bucket trucks
- Repair damaged lines
- Install network equipment
Telecommunications Technician
- Install internet, phone and TV service
- Run and terminate copper, coax and fiber cabling
- Splice and test fiber optic lines
- Configure modems, routers and phone systems
- Troubleshoot signal and connectivity problems
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working outdoors and hands-on work. They sit in different fields, energy & utilities and technology, but share transferable skills such as teamwork and customer service.
Which should you choose?
Choose telecommunications lineworker if…
- I like working outdoors
- I’m comfortable at heights
- I want good pay without a degree
Choose telecommunications technician if…
- I like electronics and networks
- I enjoy hands-on troubleshooting
- I’m comfortable on ladders
Still torn? Take the Telecommunications Lineworker fit quiz and the Telecommunications Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, telecommunications lineworker or telecommunications technician?
Telecommunications Lineworkers earn more at the median: $74,330 versus $63,890 for telecommunications technicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Telecommunications Technicians typically train faster (3–12 months) than telecommunications lineworkers (1–3 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects telecommunications technicians to grow -3.3% from 2025–35, compared with -3.4% for telecommunications lineworkers.