Working as a Telecommunications Installation and Maintenance Worker
Industry Overview
The telecommunications industry is changing rapidly. The largest growth area is in wireless technology. Competition in this industry is intense, and restructuring and downsizing are common.
Companies will rely more heavily on graduates of colleges and technical institutes who are highly trained in the skills required to do the job. Contract work is common for new graduates. As workers gain experience in this industry they may advance to supervisory positions.
Job Outlook in BC
Telecommunications line and cable workers
Chart from Work BC
Telecommunications installation and repair workers
Chart from Work BC
The Employment Outlook for BC provides job openings projections for Telecommunications Line and Cable Workers and for Telecommunications Installation and Repair Workers within BC regions:
You can learn more about working as a Telecommunications worker in BC from:
Types of Employers
You will look for work with telecommunication carriers and radio and television communications businesses, which are in the information and cultural industries sector because they employ the majority of these workers.
The construction industry is the next largest employer, with the remaining jobs spread among various industries and services.
Salary & Working Hours
In BC, the median annual salary for Telecommunication Installation and Maintenance workers is $61,108 with a median hourly wage of $29.30. The median annual salary for Telecommunications Installation and Repair workers, NOC 7246, is $61,671, with a median hourly wage of $29.57.
Many permanent full time telecommunication workers belong to a labour union. If this is true for you, then your wages and benefits are negotiated by union representatives on your behalf. In addition to a salary, you may also receive benefits such as health and dental coverage, paid vacation and sick days, and contributions to retirement income plans.
Sources: Work BC and Career Cruising database
Job Bank Canada, Wage Reports, provides hourly wages in BC regions:
Telecommunications Line and Cable Workers
Source: Job Bank Canada, Wage Reports
Telecommunications Installation & Repair Workers
Source: Job Bank Canada, Wage Reports
Working Hours
As a telecommunication worker, either as a Line and Cable Worker or an Installation and Repair Worker, you will usually work a regular 40 hours per week with some evenings and weekends included. Also, you may be on call 24 hours a day or be called out to deal with emergencies.