How much does a Telecommunications Engineer make?

The average salary for a Telecommunications Engineer is $102,442 per year in United States. Salaries estimates are based on 1087 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Telecommunications Engineer employees in United States.

The highest salary for a Telecommunications Engineer in United States is $133,761 per year.

The lowest salary for a Telecommunications Engineer in United States is $79,161 per year.

If you are thinking of becoming a Telecommunications Engineer or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of a Telecommunications Engineer.

Telecommunications engineering salaries are high, reflecting the field’s significant barriers to entry. A bachelor’s in engineering degree is considered a minimum qualification, although many firms strongly prefer candidates with internship experience. Once hired, telecommunications engineers typically work full time and are paid a salary with full benefits. Candidates with a Master of Engineering degree are typically paid higher salaries than candidates with only a bachelor’s degree. Successful engineers can earn a Professional Engineering (PE) license that indicates they are ready for more leadership responsibility, or they may choose to transition into a project manager role.

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Currently, around 72% of anonymous telecommunications engineers report to Glassdoor that they're satisfied with their salaries. Employees with at least five years of experience and state licenses can expect to earn a salary closer to a telecommunications engineer's maximum potential, with additional compensation totaling up to $17,495.25.

It's natural to expect your overall pay in a telecommunications engineer career to increase the longer you've been in the position. Aside from experience, pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in telecommunications is a popular option to increase your market value and take on additional responsibilities that come with higher pay. You can also work with your current manager, supervisor, or mentor and express a desire to move up within the company or to a more senior role. If your position requires travel, ensure you're being paid an additional daily allowance for food and transportation called a per diem.

Negotiating the base salary of an upcoming offer for a telecommunications engineer position or internal promotion can be stressful if you go in unprepared. Always start by seeing how much other companies are paying for someone with your level of experience, education, and skills to know the range of salary you should work within. Not every negotiation ends with one counter and an offer, so be ready to lower your offer while staying within your determined range. Use terms like "value" and "contributions" to emphasize the positive impact your work will have if you're the one to fill the position.

About 71.69% of Telecommunications Engineer professionals feel satisfied with their salary, according to anonymous Glassdoor ratings. An additional $17,495 in potential pay per year, among other factors, can qualify the annual pay of a Telecommunications Engineer in United States as a good salary.

Telecommunications Engineer professionals in United States have a wide total pay range, between $62,807 and $169,047 depending on experience, with an estimated total pay of $102,442 following the average career path of a Telecommunications Engineer.