Washington median pay
$77,610 a year
National median
$63,890
Telecom techs in Washington
About 4,010
State worker certificate
Not required
Telecommunications technicians install and repair the cable, fiber, phone, internet and network equipment that keeps homes and businesses connected. Some work inside buildings running and terminating cable; others work outside on poles and in the field. In Washington, the trade pays well above the national average and doesn’t require an individual state certificate to get started.
Looking for an apprenticeship? Search every registered apprenticeship program in Washington by trade, region and union or non-union, with starting and journey-level pay, in our free Washington Apprenticeship Finder.
Who does well in telecom
From the dean’s desk
First, you can’t be afraid of heights. Telecom is a really interesting trade, a middle ground between an electrician and a lineman. It can be a long-term, stable career, and some people take the skills they learn and go on to become linemen or low-voltage electricians.
— Lester Burkes, Dean of Trades, Transportation & Apprenticeship
- Comfortable at heights: ladders, lifts, poles and towers are part of the job for many techs.
- Good with details: labeling, testing and documenting every connection matters.
- Customer-facing: many techs work in people’s homes and businesses.
- Thinking ahead: the skills transfer to lineworker and limited energy (06) electrician careers.
Licensing in Washington
Washington doesn’t require individual telecom workers to hold an electrical certificate. State law says “individual worker certification is not required” for telecommunications work. The company you work for needs a telecommunications contractor license from L&I.
Your telecom hours can still help you later. Under the same law, telecom experience can count as limited energy credit toward an electrical certificate, which is how some techs move into low-voltage electrical work. Many employers also value industry credentials such as BICSI installer certifications and fiber optic certifications.
Where to train
You can get hired with a high school diploma and learn on the job, but formal training helps you stand out and can open union doors.
- Limited energy / sound and communication apprenticeships: IBEW-affiliated programs in Renton (Puget Sound Electrical JATC), Tacoma (IBEW 76), Spokane (Inland Empire Electrical Training Trust), Kennewick (IBEW 112) and Mount Vernon (IBEW 191), plus Frontier Apprenticeship & Training in Vancouver.
- Clover Park Technical College (Lakewood): Low Voltage Fire/Security certificate and degree, approved by L&I for 06 limited energy credit.
- Perry Technical Institute (Yakima): Information Technology and Communications Systems.
- Employer training: cable, fiber and telephone companies hire entry-level techs and train them in-house.
What telecom techs earn in Washington
Telecom equipment techs in Washington earned a median of $77,610 in May 2025, compared with $63,890 nationally. Outside line techs earned $76,070 in Washington and $74,330 nationally.
| Area | Median pay (May 2025) |
|---|---|
| Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue | $81,030 |
| Bremerton–Silverdale–Port Orchard | $79,140 |
| Kennewick–Richland | $77,610 |
| Spokane–Spokane Valley | $70,240 |
| Olympia–Lacey–Tumwater | $69,350 |
| Wenatchee | $65,430 |
| Washington overall | $77,610 |
| United States | $63,890 |
The honest picture on jobs: telecom equipment employment is projected to dip about 1% in Washington from 2024 to 2034, and about 3% nationally from 2025 to 2035, as equipment gets more reliable. Washington still expects about 350 openings a year, mostly from people retiring or changing careers, and fiber buildouts keep line and field techs busy.
Steps to become a telecom tech in Washington
1
Finish high school or a GED
Basic math, a clean driving record and comfort with tools help.
2
Get training or apply for entry-level jobs
Choose a limited energy apprenticeship, a college program, or an employer that trains new techs.
3
Earn industry certifications
Fiber optic and BICSI credentials can raise your pay and open more jobs.
4
Build experience and keep your hours documented
Your hours can count toward a limited energy electrical certificate later.
5
Decide your next move
Stay in telecom, or use your experience to move into lineworker or low-voltage electrician work.
Frequently asked questions
Do telecom technicians need a license in Washington?
Individual workers don’t need a state certificate for telecom work. The employer needs a telecommunications contractor license from L&I.
How much do telecom techs make in Washington?
The median for telecom equipment techs was $77,610 a year in May 2025, and about $81,030 in the Seattle–Tacoma area.
Is telecom a good path to becoming a lineman or electrician?
It can be. Telecom work builds skills at heights and with low-voltage systems, and the hours can count toward a limited energy electrical certificate.
Sources
- RCW 19.28.511: Telecommunications work, certification not required
- Washington L&I: Registered electrical apprenticeships (rev. Aug 2024)
- Washington L&I: Approved electrical training schools
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Telecommunications Technicians
- O*NET OnLine: Telecom equipment installer wages and outlook in Washington (BLS OEWS May 2025)
Related: Low Voltage Electrician · High Voltage Electrician · Electrician in Washington · All Washington guides
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