---

Telecommunications Technology

Types of Degrees Telecommunications Technology Majors Are Earning

People majoring in Telecommunications Technology may pursue degrees at several award levels.

Award Level	Graduates
Certificate	40
Associate’s Degree	52
Bachelor’s Degree	12
Master’s Degree	171

What Telecommunications Technology Majors Need to Know

Programs in Telecommunications Technology build a specific mix of knowledge, skills, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in occupations that Telecommunications Technology graduates commonly enter.

Knowledge Areas

This major prepares you for careers needing Telecommunications Technology emphasizes the following knowledge areas:

• Computers and Electronics — Importance 4.4 / 5; level 5.2 / 7.
• Engineering and Technology — Importance 4.4 / 5; level 5.1 / 7.
• English Language — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.9 / 7.
• Design — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 4.7 / 7.
• Mathematics — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 4.4 / 7.

^{Importance is rated 1–5; level is 1–7. Source: ONET Online — weighted across related occupations.*}

Skills

The skill set built by a Telecommunications Technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:

• Reading Comprehension — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4 / 7.
• Critical Thinking — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.
• Active Listening — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 3.5 / 7.
• Repairing — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.5 / 7.
• Troubleshooting — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.5 / 7.

Abilities

Abilities most relevant to Telecommunications Technology careers — again drawn from O*NET surveys of related occupations:

• Inductive Reasoning — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 3.6 / 7.
• Written Comprehension — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.1 / 7.
• Deductive Reasoning — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.
• Near Vision — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.9 / 7.
• Oral Comprehension — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 4.1 / 7.

Common Job Activities

Day-to-day, Telecommunications Technology graduates report doing:

Activity	Frequency / Importance
Working with Computers	4.4 / 7
Making Decisions and Solving Problems	4.2 / 7
Getting Information	4.2 / 7
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	4.0 / 7
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards	4.0 / 7
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	3.9 / 7
Documenting/Recording Information	3.9 / 7
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials	3.9 / 7
Processing Information	3.8 / 7
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	3.8 / 7

Technology Skills Used on the Job

Most frequently-cited tools used by Telecommunications Technology professionals:

Tool / Software	Category	In-Demand
Microsoft Word	Word processing software	—
Computer-aided engineering CAE software	Analytical or scientific software	—
Analog Devices VisualDSP++	Development environment software	—
FileMaker Pro	Data base user interface and query software	—
Bentley Systems ProjectWise	Project management software	—
Graphics software	Graphics or photo imaging software	—
Spectrum Software Micro-Cap	Analytical or scientific software	—
PUFF	Computer aided design CAD software	—
Oracle Database	Data base user interface and query software	—
Microsoft Internet Explorer	Internet browser software	—
Programmable logic controller PLC software	Industrial control software	—
GE Fanuc Automation VersaPro	Development environment software	—

^{Source: ONET Online technology skills, weighted across related occupations.*}

Sample Job Titles

Real job postings for Telecommunications Technology graduates include:

• Relay Tester
• Programmable Logic Controller Programmer (PLC Programmer)
• Field Service Technician
• Electrical Mechanical Technician
• System Technologist
• Research Instrumentation Technician
• Distribution Engineering Technologist
• LEOT (Laser and Electro-Optics Technician)
• Analog Device Designer
• Calibration Technician
• Electrical Instrument Repairer
• Light Technician
• Plastic Parts Designer
• Process Control Technician
• E & I Technician (Electrical and Instrumentation Technician)

Who Is Earning a Degree in Telecommunications Technology?

Gender Distribution

This field skews predominantly male, with men earning 86.5% of Telecommunications Technology degrees.

Gender	Graduates	Share
Women	38	13.5%
Men	244	86.5%

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

At the national level, the racial-ethnic distribution of Telecommunications Technology graduates is as follows:

Race / Ethnicity	Graduates	Share
White	138	48.9%
Asian	9	3.2%
Hispanic or Latino	53	18.8%
Black or African American	21	7.4%
American Indian / Alaska Native	2	0.7%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	19	6.7%
Two or More Races	6	2.1%
Race Unknown	27	9.6%
International Students	7	2.5%

^{See minority definition below.}

How Much Do Telecommunications Technology Graduates Earn?

College Scorecard reports median earnings of Telecommunications Technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb steadily as graduates gain experience and move into mid-career roles.

Years Out	Median Earnings
1 year	$62,062
4 years	$60,768
5 years	$67,536

By year 5 out, median earnings rise to $67,536 — roughly 9% above the 1-year mark.

^{Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.}

Is a Degree in Telecommunications Technology Worth It?

On the earnings side, the federal earnings tracker, Telecommunications Technology graduates earn a median of $60,768 four years after completion — roughly 60% above the national median for workers with only a high school diploma (~$38,000).

^{ROI estimate compares the program’s 4-yr median earnings against the 2023 BLS CPS median earnings for high-school-only workers. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard + BLS Current Population Survey.}

Related Programs

You may also be interested in these closely related fields of study:

Program	Annual Degrees Awarded
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians	9,196
Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician	6,829
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians	3,770
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other	1,750
Automation Engineer Technology/Technician	1,364
Computer/Computer Systems Technology/Technician	1,272
Computer Engineering Technology/Technician	1,215
Laser and Optical Technology/Technician	249
Audio Engineering Technology/Technician	76
Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology/Technician	16
Integrated Circuit Design Technology/Technician	10

References

The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students and international students. This number is then divided by the total number of students to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

• College Factual
• National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)
• O*NET Online
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard

More about our data sources and methodologies.