How much do telecom line installers make in Colorado in 2026?

Telecom line installers in Colorado earn a median wage of $66,020 per year, which works out to roughly $31.74 per hour based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. That number sits in the middle of the range — half of workers in this trade in the state earn more, and half earn less. If you're starting out or just broke into the trade, the 25th percentile is $51,420 annually, or about $24.72 per hour. Workers at the higher end of experience, skill, or job complexity land at the 75th percentile: $84,710 per year, roughly $40.73 per hour. All figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2025.

That $33,290 spread between the 25th and 75th percentile tells you something important: where you fall in this trade depends heavily on what kind of work you're doing. Entry-level roles installing residential fiber or copper drop lines tend to cluster toward the lower end. Technicians handling high-voltage aerial plant, underground conduit systems, or complex carrier infrastructure — especially on commercial or utility contracts — are more likely to approach or exceed the 75th percentile. Overtime and per diem also move real-world take-home pay beyond these base figures for workers on out-of-town jobs, which are common in a state with large rural coverage expansion projects.

Colorado's geography plays a direct role in what employers pay. Mountain communities, the Western Slope, and rural Eastern Plains all have ongoing broadband build-out projects tied to federal and state infrastructure funding. Workers willing to travel or relocate for these projects routinely see higher effective pay through overtime and allowances, even when the base hourly rate stays consistent with urban market rates along the Front Range.

The work itself involves installing, splicing, and maintaining aerial and underground telecommunications cables — fiber optic, coaxial, and copper. Line installers climb utility poles, operate bucket trucks, work in trenches, and handle splicing equipment. Physical demands are real, and so are the safety requirements. Employers generally want workers with a valid driver's license, ability to work at height, and either prior line work experience or a completed apprenticeship or vocational program. OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification gives candidates a hiring edge on utility-scale projects.

No union scale data is currently available for this trade in Colorado. Where union agreements do exist in other states, they typically set floor wages and establish overtime rules, health benefits, and pension contributions that can significantly affect total compensation. For Colorado telecom line installers, pay terms are negotiated at the employer level, so it pays to compare offers carefully and ask specifically about overtime expectations, vehicle allowances, and benefit packages when evaluating a position.

For workers moving up from the 25th to the 75th percentile, the most direct paths are accumulating splice certifications, gaining experience on fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) builds, picking up CDL or bucket truck endorsements, and moving into lead or foreman roles. A lead installer or crew foreman on a large infrastructure contract can push total compensation well past the 75th percentile figure, especially when project bonuses are included.

The $66,020 median in Colorado puts telecom line installer pay above the national median for many construction trades, reflecting both the cost of living in key Colorado markets and the ongoing demand for broadband infrastructure workers across the state. Use TradesPays to compare this trade against others in Colorado, or to check telecom line installer wages in other states where you might be considering work.