19+ Best Jobs in Telecommunications With High Salaries

Jobs in telecommunications involve working with technology that enables sending information over long distances. It’s a complex and technical field that comes with a wide assortment of roles suitable for many different types of professionals.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the best and highest-paying jobs in telecommunications in today’s market. We’ll see what the jobs are about, what the requirements needed to get them are, and what you can expect in terms of compensation. 

Without further ado, let’s dive in!

Why Should You Choose a Career in Telecommunications?

You should choose a career in telecommunications if you’re looking for a dynamic and technology-oriented field that facilitates global connectivity. Roles in this field often include working with cutting-edge software and hardware and have a positive impact on billions of lives.

A career path in this industry depends on your skills and career goals. The customer service representative, junior software developer, or telecommunications technician are typical entry-level telecommunications jobs through which you’ll gain sufficient knowledge and experience to advance to senior roles.

Senior roles are highly specialized and offer plenty of variety. For instance, there are numerous engineering jobs in telecommunications for which you can apply with a well-written engineering resume. On the other hand, if you have strong leadership and management skills, you can opt for consulting and management roles.

Here are three key reasons why careers in telecommunications are a smart choice:

11 Best and Highest-Paying Jobs in Telecommunications

Let’s explore some of the best and highest-paying jobs in telecommunications. We’ll consider what these roles encompass, what the requirements to get them are, and what the salary ranges for such positions look like.

#1. IC Design Engineer

IC (integrated circuit) design engineer is a highly knowledgeable specialist in the field of electronic engineering. They are adept at working with microchips and circuit boards that power telecommunication devices. This involves proficiency in fitting amplifiers, capacitors, transistors, and other components.

For this job in telecommunications, you need to have a strong foundation in physics, proficiency in tools like Cadence and Synopsys, and knowledge of programming languages like Verilog or VHDL. Entry-level candidates typically need to have at least a bachelor’s degree, though a master’s degree along with experience is preferred and can give you an advantage.

This is one of the highest-paying jobs in the telecommunications industry, with salaries ranging between $164,500 and $215,000 per year. The competition can be fierce, but those with better skills and qualifications quickly get ahead.

#2. Antenna Engineer

Antenna engineers develop, test, optimize, and maintain telecommunication antennas and similar systems and devices. Their field of work includes modern technologies, like 5G, IoT devices, and satellite systems. With the rise of wireless technology, this is becoming an increasingly evolving field with a high demand for competent professionals.

As an engineer working for a company, you’ll typically be in charge of analyzing its needs and infrastructure to develop optimal solutions. The role requires strong research and budgeting skills and the ability to develop and test prototypes before monitoring their performance for future improvement.

A bachelor’s degree in physics, telecommunications, or electrical engineering is usually an entry-level requirement for this job in telecommunications, while a master’s degree and relevant experience can vastly improve your employability. This can earn you a lucrative annual salary that ranges between $101,500 and $196,000.

#3. Wireless Telecommunications Engineer

Wireless telecommunications engineers research, design, and maintain wireless networks. This includes Wi-Fi, LTE, 4G and 5G systems, and more. They work to ensure seamless connectivity and uninterrupted uptime, often troubleshooting issues, resolving problems, and optimizing network performance.

Technical skills required for the job include proficiency in wireless protocols and network optimization, knowledge of tools like NetSim and MATLAB, an in-depth understanding of signal propagation, etc.

To become a wireless telecommunications engineer, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. Applicable certifications, such as Cisco CCNA certification, can significantly boost your employability.

All of this will net you a lucrative median salary in the range of $150,000–$191,000 per year. On top of that, you get excellent job security as the expansion of 5G and IoT increases the demand for skilled engineers.

#4. Telecommunications Consultant

Telecommunications consultants advise clients and businesses on the hardware and software components of their telecommunication systems. These are highly knowledgeable professionals with exceptional creativity and problem-solving skills. They analyze clients’ situations and requirements, recommend optimal solutions, and help with implementation.

To get a job as a telecommunications consultant, you generally need to have a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications, computer engineering, or information technology. A master’s degree and experience in relevant equipment and services can help you get ahead of the competition and get the job more easily.

The annual salary of telecommunications consultants varies significantly based on their skills and experience, ranging from $64,500 to $165,000. This is one of the best jobs in telecommunications for tech-savvy professionals who also enjoy the strategic and business-oriented aspects of the profession.

#5. Satellite Communications Engineer

Satellite communications engineers work with satellite systems, including designing and maintaining them and providing technical support. They are in charge of hardware and software systems used to transfer information via satellites.

This role requires extensive knowledge of satellite technology, signal processing, and RF systems. Additionally, they need strong communication, collaboration, analytical, and problem-solving skills, as well as software skills like MATLAB and STK.

A typical job candidate should have a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications, electrical engineering, or even aerospace engineering. Additional experience and specialized knowledge in satellite technology can increase their chances of standing out among the competition and landing a role that pays $84,500–$142,000 per year.

#6. Unified Communications Engineer

Unified communications engineers create and manage comprehensive communication systems, combining various platforms and systems for seamless collaboration. For instance, they can merge the company’s email, phone lines, and messaging platforms into a single robust system for internal use.

Apart from exceptional technical skills and proficiency in VoIP, SIP, networking, and server management, you also need collaboration skills for this telecommunications job. That’s because unified communications engineers often work with professionals from other fields to find the best possible solution for the company and optimally integrate its different systems.

A bachelor’s degree in telecommunications or a related field is generally a must to apply for the job. Certifications that focus on specialized knowledge or even add credibility to your leadership and management skills can boost your chances with recruiters. This can earn you a lucrative annual salary of $89,000–$134,500.

#7. VoIP Engineer

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) engineers develop, implement, and maintain VoIP telephony systems. Companies typically employ them to maintain their communication infrastructure, whether to develop networks or monitor systems to ensure optimal call quality and resolve issues.

The role requires proficiency in various VoIP protocols, networking knowledge, and expertise in tools like Asterisk. Moreover, job candidates usually need to have a relevant bachelor’s degree, while specialized training and certifications can boost their employability.

If you become a VoIP engineer, you can expect an annual salary between $85,000 and $130,500.

#8. Communications Engineer

Communications engineers work on ensuring efficient communication infrastructure, including wired and wireless networks and technologies. They design, install, and maintain various systems, including radio, internet, and satellite communication infrastructure.

These professionals need an in-depth knowledge of telecom systems and RF technology. On top of that, they need to have strong analytical skills and the ability to troubleshoot and solve problems. Like with most other high-paying jobs in telecommunications, a bachelor’s degree is typically mandatory by employers.

This can get you a lucrative annual salary of $94,500–$130,000.

#9. Telecommunications Network Engineer

Telecommunications network engineers are in charge of telecommunications networks. They develop, implement, and oversee these networks to ensure uninterrupted connectivity and optimal performance.

In addition to all the technical knowledge that telecommunications network engineers need to have, they also need to be good at budgeting. Ultimately, their goal is to develop a communications network that is safe, secure, and efficient with the least amount of resources.

A bachelor’s degree is a typical requirement for this job in telecommunications, while certifications like CCNA or CCNP can boost your chances with employers. The salary range for this position ranges between $77,500 and $128,500.

#10. Telecommunications Manager

Telecommunications managers typically work with contractors and other professionals to install and maintain communication systems in an organization. These include a phone line, internet connection, and other communication infrastructure.

Apart from a technical background, telecommunications managers usually need to have strong project management skills and exceptional organization and communication abilities. A standard requirement is a degree in telecommunications or management.

If you’re after this job in telecommunications, you can expect an annual salary between $81,000 and $112,000.

#11. Telecommunications Specialist

Telecommunications specialists are IT experts who focus on communication via the computer network. They develop, install, maintain, and test computer networks and equipment. These systems are vital for business operations, as they are used to transmit digital data, video, and audio.

Professionals in this field usually need to have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of IT and proficiency in computer networks and systems. For this, they can expect a median annual salary of $59,500–$94,000.

How to Get a Job in Telecommunications

The first step to getting a job in telecommunications is obtaining relevant education. Most roles require at least a bachelor’s degree, while some employers can also ask for a master’s. However, there are certain roles, especially entry-level ones, that you can get with specialized training or certification.

Following that, you should gain practical experience through cooperative education, internships, junior roles, or similar activities. This will give you the necessary know-how to apply for more demanding and lucrative positions.

To find job opportunities in your field, you should connect with other professionals and practice industry networking. This includes attending seminars, conferences, and webinars, communicating through social media, connecting on LinkedIn, etc.

Additionally, you can actively look for opportunities on job boards and company websites. Websites like ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor, and Monster often have thousands of postings across many different categories you can browse until you find roles that suit your qualifications.

When applying for a job, one of the easiest ways of getting ahead of the competition is with a well-written resume and a catchy cover letter. Make sure to tailor these documents to optimally demonstrate your skills and experiences relevant to the role you’re after.

Finally, prepare for job interviews by researching companies, brushing up on your technical knowledge, and practicing giving answers to common questions during mock interviews.

Final Thoughts

There is a lot of variety among the best jobs in telecommunication. While most roles require high technical prowess, some positions focus on collaborative work, while others need strong problem-solving capabilities, creativity, and even business skills.

Remember that experience and certifications can boost your employability, and don’t forget to write a captivating resume and cover letter. You can use our resume builder to highlight your skills and experience in a way that will impress recruiters and land you an interview. That way, you’ll all but guarantee landing an interview and, afterward, the job of your dreams!