How to become a communication operator
Official title: Communication operators
Also called: Operator, Taxi operator, Cable operator, Radar operator, Radio operator, Telex operator, Bureau operator, Homecall operator, Lifeline operator, Teletype operator, Teleprinter operator, Fire control operator
Communication operators operate telecoms equipment to transmit and receive signals and messages.
Main tasks
- Receives messages, weather reports and other material to transmit
- Tunes transmitter to required channel or wavelength and relays or receives message to/ from person or vehicle
- Uses a teleprinter or telex keyboard to transmit messages to other teleprinters or telexes
- Keeps record of messages sent and received
- Performs routine tests and maintenance on equipment and reports faults
- Receives and handles incoming calls for emergency services, transmitting to the appropriate services
How to become one
Academic qualifications may not be required. On-the-job training is provided.
Ways in
- Apprenticeship (England): Emergency contact handler (level 3). England. Typically 12 months. Skills England standard ST0483.
Pay · Outlook
- Median full-time pay: £36,415 a year The middle half earn £30,236 to £40,942.
- About 37,500 people work in this job now, and about 42,900 are projected by 2035. (+14.3%)
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Questions people ask
How do I become a communication operator?
Academic qualifications may not be required. On-the-job training is provided.
How much does a communication operator earn in the UK?
Median full-time pay is £36,415 a year (Office for National Statistics). The middle half earn £30,236 to £40,942.
Is a communication operator a growing career in the UK?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 14% by 2035, from about 37,500 to about 42,900 people (Department for Education).
Do you need a degree to become a communication operator?
Not always. 35% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Emergency contact handler (level 3).
Sources
- Office for National Statistics: Annual Population Survey: employment by occupation (April 2025 to March 2026), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Office for National Statistics: SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions (2026-08-27 edition), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Department for Education: Skills Imperative 2035: employment projections by occupation (2021 to 2035 (Warwick IER / Cambridge Econometrics)), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Office for National Statistics: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Table 14 (2025 provisional), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03