Utility workers represent the more than half-a-million unsung heroes who keep our everyday lives going. Utility workers help provide the water, electricity and heat we need to survive. And let’s not forget about our beloved smartphones and other connected devices. All of that technology relies on the skill and dedication of utility workers, too.
Demand for a wide variety of utility workers is on the rise. Wages are climbing, too. As a matter of fact, average industry hourly wages increased 20% from 2019 to 2023 alone.
Several factors fuel demand for utility services, including population growth and new infrastructure installation, existing infrastructure replacement, and ongoing maintenance and repair. Thus, there are more employment opportunities in certain parts of the country than others. Employment opportunities may also vary depending on which segment of the broader utilities industry you’re seeking employment in.
Telecommunications Line Installers are employed to install and repair telecommunications cable, including fiber optic. There are nearly 67,000 people across the country who are working in this utilities industry sector.
Employment Opportunities
The top 10 cities employing the most telecommunications line installers are:
1. New York
2. Los Angeles
3. Dallas
4. Houston
5. Washington, D.C.
6. Chicago
7. Philadelphia
8. Tampa, Fla.
9. San Antonio
10. Miami
Wages and Compensation
Average wages range from over $39 per hour in the electric power generation sector, to $24 in utility system construction. Kahului, Hawaii, leads the nation with an average of $46.56 an hour across all sectors. Here’s a look at the top 10 cities for telecommunications line installer wages:
1. Kahului, Hawaii
2. Providence, Rhode Island
3. Boston
4. Honolulu
5. San Francisco
6. New York
7. Worcester, Massachusetts
8. Trenton, New Jersey
9. Philadelphia
10. Chico, California
In conclusion
Choosing the best cities to seek employment as a telecommunications worker largely depends on where you’d like to live and work. Yes, certain cities offer more employment opportunities and higher wages. But the industry as a whole is growing, is in urgent need of workers, and is paying higher wages than it has ever paid before. Now is a great time to build a great career as a telecommunications worker—whichever city you choose.
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