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

Telecom line installers in Georgia earn a median wage of $58,760 a year, which works out to about $28.25 an hour based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. That's the middle of the pack — half of installers in the state earn more, half earn less. If you're just starting out or working in a lower-demand area, expect something closer to the 25th percentile: $47,670 annually, or roughly $22.92 an hour. Workers in the top quarter of earners — typically those with more years in the field, specialized certifications, or roles that involve more complex infrastructure — pull in $73,960 a year or better, which is around $35.56 an hour.

The $26,290 gap between the 25th and 75th percentile tells you something important: experience and specialization move the needle significantly in this trade. A newer installer working residential drop work in a mid-size Georgia market is not going to see the same paycheck as a seasoned technician splicing fiber in a dense metro corridor or running aerial lines for a major carrier in Atlanta, Savannah, or Augusta.

Georgia's telecom infrastructure has been expanding steadily, with rural broadband buildout projects and ongoing upgrades to fiber networks across the state. That work keeps demand for qualified installers consistent. Line installer work is physically demanding — climbing poles, working in bucket trucks, pulling cable in all weather — and the pay reflects a trade that requires real skill and carries real safety risk.

Hours and pay structure vary by employer. Utility contractors and large telecom carriers often pay hourly with overtime available, which can push annual take-home well above the base figures listed here. Some crews working active buildout projects log 50 or more hours per week during peak seasons, meaning a worker at the $28.25 median rate could realistically gross over $70,000 in a year with overtime factored in. That said, work can also be seasonal or project-based, so steady full-year hours aren't always guaranteed depending on who you're working for.

No union scale data is available for this trade in Georgia. Many telecom line installers in the state work for non-union contractors, though some larger carriers maintain their own wage structures that may include benefits, vehicle allowances, and tool stipends on top of base pay. When comparing job offers, factor those in — a job at $27/hr with a company truck and full health coverage is worth more than $29/hr with nothing extra.

Certifications like OSHA 10 or 30, CDL, and manufacturer credentials for specific fiber splicing or network equipment can support movement from the lower end of the pay scale toward the 75th percentile and beyond. Employers running fiber-to-the-home or cellular tower work often pay a premium for workers who bring those credentials on day one.

All figures on this page come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2025. Figures reflect Georgia-specific data and are not national averages.