How to become a telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technician
Official title: Telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technicians
Also called: Television cable servicer, Telephone equipment tester, Wirer - telecommunications, Racker - telecommunications, Cellular telephone technician, Facsimile equipment installer, Telecommunication line tester, Telecommunications technician, Installer - telecommunications, Communication systems technician, Relay tester - telecommunications, Telecommunications service tester
Telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technicians install, test, maintain and repair cable and satellite television, internet signal and associate equipment, telephones, telephone switching equipment and other telecommunications equipment related to transmission and processing of voice, video signals and other data over a variety of media including fibre optics, microwave, radio and satellite. They are employed by cable and satellite television, telephone and other telecommunications transmission service companies. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Main tasks
- Telephone installers and repairers
- Install, arrange, remove and maintain telephone equipment, wiring and associated hardware
- Test installed telephone systems to locate transmission faults
- Repair or replace defective and damaged telephones, wire and associated equipment
- Switch network installers and repairers
- Install electromechanical, analog and digital trunking systems, circuits and equipment in telecommunications central offices and switching centres
- Inspect and test trunking systems, circuits and equipment
- Analyze test results and adjust, change or repair switching system, network, associated equipment and software
How to become one
Completion of secondary school is required. Telephone and switch network installers and repairers require completion of an apprenticeship program ranging from three to four years or a combination of over three years work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry related courses. Cable television service technicians require completion of a college program in electronics or a combination of college, correspondence or industry courses related to electronics and electrical systems and on-the-job training or completion of a four-year cable television technician apprenticeship program is required Telecommunications equipment technicians usually require completion of a college electrical and electronics program and several months of on-the-job training or completion of a three- or four-year apprenticeship training program. Trade certification for communication technicians is available, but voluntary, in Nova Scotia, Alberta, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Experience as an installer and repairer (telephone and switch network) is usually required for service testers.
Ways in
- Apprenticeship: Apprenticeship. Telephone and switch network installers and repairers require completion of an apprenticeship program ranging from three to four years or a combination of over three years work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry related courses. Cable television service technicians require completion of a college program in electronics or a combination of college, correspondence or industry courses related to electronics and electrical systems and on-the-job training or completion of a four-year cable television technician apprenticeship program is required Telecommunications equipment technicians usually require completion of a college electrical and electronics program and several months of on-the-job training or completion of a three- or four-year apprenticeship training program. Apprenticeships are run by each province and territory.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $65,910 a year The middle half earn $52,650 to $74,100.
- About 25,900 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 29,700 are projected by 2033. (+14.7%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
Related jobs
- Electricians (except industrial and power system)
- Industrial electricians
- Power system electricians
- Electrical power line and cable workers
- Telecommunications line and cable installers and repairers
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Questions people ask
How do I become a telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technician?
Completion of secondary school is required. Telephone and switch network installers and repairers require completion of an apprenticeship program ranging from three to four years or a combination of over three years work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry related courses. Cable television service technicians require completion of a college program in electronics or a combination of college, correspondence or industry courses related to electronics and electrical systems and on-the-job training or completion of a four-year cable television technician apprenticeship program is required Telecommunications equipment technicians usually require completion of a college electrical and electronics program and several months of on-the-job training or completion of a three- or four-year apprenticeship training program. Trade certification for communication technicians is available, but voluntary, in Nova Scotia, Alberta, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Experience as an installer and repairer (telephone and switch network) is usually required for service testers.
How much does a telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technician earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $65,910 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $52,650 to $74,100.
Is a telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technician a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 15% by 2033, from about 25,900 to about 29,700 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technician?
Usually not. Only 15% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Apprenticeship.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03