How much do telecom line installers make in the US in 2026?

Which state is best for telecom line installers?

Different states win on different measures — here's the top on each. Pick the one that matters to you.

Across 25 states: $48,770–$103,410 (median $66,020).

Telecom Line Installer pay by state

Where is the union premium biggest for Telecom Line Installers?

Named locals and the premium over the BLS all-worker median.

We don't have union scale data for Telecom Line Installer across our states yet — these states are predominantly non-union, or we haven't added IBEW/UA data. Submitting your pay helps build complete data for Telecom Line Installer.

Union landscape

Telecom line installation has a union presence in parts of the country, and some workers in this trade are covered by a collective bargaining agreement. That matters because union-negotiated rates, benefits, and working conditions can differ significantly from what non-union employers offer — sometimes higher, sometimes structured differently across wage scales tied to hours worked or classification. Here's the honest situation on TradesPays: we do not have union scale data for this trade in any of the 25 states we currently cover. That's a gap, not a statement about how common union coverage is. It means we can't show you a union scale table the way we can for some other trades, and we're not going to invent numbers to fill that space. If you're a telecom line installer working under or considering a collective bargaining agreement, the right move is to go directly to your local for current negotiated rates. Agreements vary by region, employer, and contract cycle — no website can substitute for the actual CBA document or a conversation with your local's business agent. What we can tell you is that the BLS OEWS figures on this page reflect a broad mix of union and non-union workers, so they won't isolate what a union-represented installer earns in your area.

What we don't track yet

A few honest limits worth knowing before you lean too hard on these numbers. No metro-level pay. The state figures here are statewide averages. A telecom line installer working in a dense metro corridor is likely seeing different rates than one working in a rural part of the same state — but we don't have city or metro breakdowns to show you that difference yet. If you're comparing an offer in a specific metro, treat the state figure as a rough anchor, not a precise comp target. No apprentice, journeyman, or master wage tiers. BLS OEWS data doesn't break pay out by experience classification within an occupation, and beyond union scale data (which we don't have for this trade), we don't have a way to show you what a first-year installer earns versus someone with ten years of buried fiber work behind them. The p25-to-p75 range gives you some sense of spread, but it's not a career ladder. No specialty differentials. Fiber splicing, outside plant work, directional boring, and other specializations within the trade may command different rates. We don't track those splits currently. Help us fill these gaps. If you're a telecom line installer, contractor, or apprenticeship coordinator with current wage data — especially metro-level figures or tier-based pay scales — we want to hear from you. Use the submission form on this page to send us what you're seeing in the field.

Telecom Line Installer pay: FAQ

What is the national median wage for a Telecom Line Installer?

According to BLS OEWS May 2025 data, the national median is $74,330 per year. Twenty-five percent of workers in this occupation earn below $54,310, and twenty-five percent earn above $95,850.

Which states pay Telecom Line Installers the most?

Among the 25 states TradesPays currently covers, the three highest-paying are Massachusetts at $103,410, New Jersey at $102,090, and New York at $100,960.

Which state in your data set pays the least for this trade?

Louisiana is the lowest in our covered set at $48,770. That's a $54,640 difference compared to the top state, Massachusetts — a wide gap driven by cost of living, demand, and local market conditions.

How many states does TradesPays cover for this occupation?

TradesPays currently covers Telecom Line Installer wages in 25 states. If your state isn't listed, we don't have reliable data for it yet.

Do union telecom line installers earn more?

Some telecom line installers work under collective bargaining agreements, which can affect pay, benefits, and working conditions. TradesPays does not currently have union scale data for this trade in our covered states, so we can't make a direct comparison. Check with your local for current negotiated rates.

Does the $74,330 median include overtime or per diem?

BLS OEWS figures represent straight-time hourly wages and salaries. Overtime, per diem, travel pay, and other supplemental compensation are generally not included, so your total annual take-home may be higher depending on your employer and the work.

Why is there such a large gap between the p25 and p75 wages?

The $41,540 spread between the 25th percentile ($54,310) and the 75th percentile ($95,850) reflects real differences in geography, employer type, years of experience, and the nature of the work — aerial versus buried, copper versus fiber, construction versus maintenance. It's a wide trade with a wide pay range.

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