What Do Telecommunications Operators Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for telecommunications operators?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what telecommunications operators do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
Telecommunications Operators Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about telecommunications operators by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
Telecommunications Operators design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks. Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning, including analysis of capacity needs for network infrastructures. May also design network and computer security measures. May research and recommend network and data communications hardware and software.
Popular Job Titles For Telecommunications Operators
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Network Engineers
- Automation Engineers
- Network Architects
- Network Analysts
- Network Systems Engineers
- Automation Controls Engineers
- Controls Engineers
- Telecommunications Engineers
- Network Specialists
- Cloud Network Engineers
- Principal Network Engineers
- Lead Network Engineers
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for telecommunications operators can be found.
Best Industries for Telecommunications Operators
Telecommunications Operators Jobs By Industry
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services: 24.5%
- Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite): 12.2%
- Management of Companies and Enterprises: 8.9%
- Employment Services: 4.4%
- Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services: 3.9%
- Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services: 3.3%
- Other: 42.8%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of telecommunications operators can be found working in the Computer Systems Design and Related Services sector. In 2023, about 24.5% of all jobs for telecommunications operators were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) (12.2%), Management of Companies and Enterprises (8.9%), Employment Services (4.4%), Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services (3.9%) and Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (3.3%).
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Degree Options for Telecommunications Operators
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Go beyond basic programming and develop the technical skills necessary to apply, design, and implement software systems.
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- Cost Per Credit: $398
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Get the knowledge to manage healthcare data, navigate regulations and inform ethical decision-making with a B.S. Information Systems-Healthcare Information Systems Focus
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Play a vital role in any business environment by designing and implementing mission-critical infrastructure, security, and servers.
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- Cost Per Credit: $398
Develop the advanced technical skills needed to turn complex programming specifications into well-designed computer programs.
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- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Deliver high-quality software that helps companies and organizations maintain data security and integrity with Franklin’s 20-month online M.S. in Computer Science with a focus in Cybersecurity.
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- Months To Complete: 20
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Learn to create scalable software systems that Improve organizational effectiveness and efficiency by earning Franklin’s 20-month online M.S. in Computer Science with a focus in Software Systems. The hands-on, theory-to-practice program will prepare you to be an asset in a variety of industries
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Earn your M.S. in Information Technology degree 100% online in as few as 16 months.
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Earn your M.S. in Information Technology degree with a focus in Healthcare 100% online in as few as 16 months.
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Earn your M.S. in Information Technology degree with a focus in IT Management 100% online in as few as 16 months.
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Certificates & Microcredentials for Telecommunications Operators
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Fast track your IT career with the Google IT support training and certificate that helps you learn about network protocols, operating systems, and solving problems using code.
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- Time To Complete: 4-5 months
- Cost: $35/month
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- Time To Complete: 4-5 months
- Cost: $35/month
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- Time To Complete: 4-5 months
- Cost: $35/month
Build your cloud developer portfolio with this hands-on IBM full stack cloud developer certificate course that uses the latest tools and technologies to manage full stack cloud native apps.
- Class Type: 100% Online
- Time To Complete: 5-6 months
- Cost: $35/month
- Class Type: 100% Online
- Time To Complete: 1-2 months
- Cost: $35/month
What Do Telecommunications Operators Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what telecommunications operators do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work telecommunications operators do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that telecommunications operators tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for telecommunications operators, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Telecommunications Operators
Based on 120,916 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Telecommunications Operators
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Network Engineering | 41,616 | 34% |
| Network Routing | 35,899 | 30% |
| Automation | 32,996 | 27% |
| Computer Science | 30,767 | 25% |
| Firewall | 30,421 | 25% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Telecommunications Operators
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Troubleshooting (Problem Solving) | 52,679 | 44% |
| Communication | 49,589 | 41% |
| Operations | 38,876 | 32% |
| Management | 38,125 | 32% |
| Problem Solving | 24,888 | 21% |
Based on 120,916 job postings related to telecommunications operators, network engineering was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 34% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for network routing, automation, computer science, firewall and network switches were also highly sought.
As for common skills, troubleshooting (problem solving) was the most desired skill found in job postings for telecommunications operators, followed by communication, operations, management, problem solving and planning.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Network Engineering | 41,616 | 34% |
| Network Routing | 35,899 | 30% |
| Automation | 32,996 | 27% |
| Computer Science | 30,767 | 25% |
| Firewall | 30,421 | 25% |
| Network Switches | 26,377 | 22% |
| Wide Area Networks | 23,236 | 19% |
| Local Area Networks | 21,175 | 18% |
| Systems Engineering | 20,598 | 17% |
| Project Management | 19,072 | 16% |
| Network Infrastructure | 18,033 | 15% |
| Border Gateway Protocol | 17,778 | 15% |
| Python (Programming Language) | 17,441 | 14% |
| Virtual Private Networks (VPN) | 16,409 | 14% |
| Network Security | 16,146 | 13% |
| Networking Hardware | 16,051 | 13% |
| Operating Systems | 15,457 | 13% |
| Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) | 15,244 | 13% |
| Scripting | 14,865 | 12% |
| Telecommunications | 14,319 | 12% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Troubleshooting (Problem Solving) | 52,679 | 44% |
| Communication | 49,589 | 41% |
| Operations | 38,876 | 32% |
| Management | 38,125 | 32% |
| Problem Solving | 24,888 | 21% |
| Planning | 24,073 | 20% |
| Leadership | 18,565 | 15% |
| Customer Service | 18,123 | 15% |
| Information Technology | 15,062 | 12% |
| Writing | 14,809 | 12% |
| Research | 12,863 | 11% |
| Wireless Communications | 12,700 | 11% |
| Detail Oriented | 11,483 | 9% |
| Self-Motivation | 10,540 | 9% |
| Verbal Communication Skills | 10,495 | 9% |
| Innovation | 10,489 | 9% |
| Microsoft Office | 10,218 | 8% |
| Coordinating | 9,586 | 8% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 9,228 | 8% |
| Presentations | 8,211 | 7% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for Telecommunications Operators
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Network Engineers | 50,590 | 48.1% |
| Automation Engineers | 12,009 | 11.4% |
| Network Architects | 5,566 | 5.3% |
| Network Analysts | 3,829 | 3.6% |
| Network Systems Engineers | 2,866 | 2.7% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2022 and August 2023, the top job sought by employers was network engineers, with 24,957 unique job postings. Automation engineers were second, with 2,944 postings, followed by network architects, network analysts and network systems engineers.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to telecommunications operators.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Network Engineers | 50,590 | 48.1% |
| Automation Engineers | 12,009 | 11.4% |
| Network Architects | 5,566 | 5.3% |
| Network Analysts | 3,829 | 3.6% |
| Network Systems Engineers | 2,866 | 2.7% |
| Automation Controls Engineers | 3,017 | 2.9% |
| Controls Engineers | 3,609 | 3.4% |
| Telecommunications Engineers | 2,981 | 2.8% |
| Network Specialists | 2,379 | 2.3% |
| Cloud Network Engineers | 2,038 | 1.9% |
| Principal Network Engineers | 3,074 | 2.9% |
| Lead Network Engineers | 2,015 | 1.9% |
| Core Network Engineers | 2,161 | 2.1% |
| Wireless Network Engineers | 1,708 | 1.6% |
| Cisco Network Engineers | 1,409 | 1.3% |
| VMware Engineers | 1,215 | 1.2% |
| Network Software Engineers | 1,437 | 1.4% |
| Storage Engineers | 1,184 | 1.1% |
| Network Security Engineers | 1,191 | 1.1% |
| Network Automation Engineers | 1,003 | 1% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for telecommunications operators? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for telecommunications operators.
How much do telecommunications operators make?
Telecommunications Operators: How do you become one?
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