Telecommunications Technology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Telecommunications Technology is a specialized field focused on the design, implementation, and management of modern communication systems that enable the reliable transmission of data, voice, and video across networks. This program equips learners with foundational engineering principles and hands-on technical expertise to develop and maintain high-performance telecommunications infrastructure in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
- Communications Protocol: Study of standardized rules and formats that govern how data is transmitted and received across networks, ensuring interoperability and efficient data exchange.
- Data Networking: Exploration of network architectures, topologies, and infrastructure components that support the flow of digital information across local and wide-area networks.
- Digital Compression Algorithms: Training in techniques that reduce data size without significant loss of quality, essential for optimizing bandwidth usage in streaming and storage applications.
- Digital Signal Processing: Application of mathematical and computational methods to analyze, modify, and synthesize signals used in telecommunications, such as audio, video, and sensor data.
- Internet Access Technologies: In-depth examination of protocols and systems that enable user connectivity to the global internet, including broadband, wireless, and fiber-optic solutions.
- Object-Oriented and Relational Databases: Development of skills in designing and managing structured data systems using both object-oriented models and relational frameworks for efficient information storage and retrieval.
- Programming Languages: Proficiency in industry-relevant coding languages used to develop network applications, automate system functions, and support telecommunications software development.
Telecommunications Technology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Telecommunications Technology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Telecommunications Technology degrees, including Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 92,710 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians 17-3023 | $77,180 | $48,250 - $111,790 | 92,710 | $37.11 |
Telecommunications Technology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $58,860 in South Dakota to $102,500 in District of Columbia—a 74% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Maryland, and Rhode Island. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 92,710 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Telecommunications Technology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 28 institutions offering Telecommunications Technology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Telecommunications Technology is found at Seminole State College of Florida (91 graduates), Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) (24 graduates), Colby Community College (24 graduates), College of Micronesia-FSM (COM-FSM) (18 graduates), and Commonwealth Technical Institute (CTI) (15 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 282 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seminole State College of Florida |
Other Award
|
91 | Sanford, Florida | Public | seminolestate.edu |
| Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
24 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
| Colby Community College |
Other Award
|
24 | Colby, Kansas | Public | colbycc.edu |
| College of Micronesia-FSM (COM-FSM) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
18 | Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia | Public | comfsm.fm |
| Commonwealth Technical Institute (CTI) |
Associate's
|
15 | Johnstown, Pennsylvania | Private | dli.pa.gov |
| Clark College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
14 | Vancouver, Washington | Public | clark.edu |
| American River College (ARC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
13 | Sacramento, California | Public | arc.losrios.edu |
| Mitchell Technical College (Mitchell Tech) |
Associate's
|
9 | Mitchell, South Dakota | Public | mitchelltech.edu |
| Fresno City College (FCC) |
Other Award
|
8 | Fresno, California | Public | fresnocitycollege.edu |
| Pace University |
Master's
Residency
|
7 | New York, New York | Private | pace.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
7 | Hohenwald, Tennessee | Public | tcathohenwald.edu |
| Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) |
Other Award
|
6 | Ankeny, Iowa | Public | dmacc.edu |
| Ferris State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Big Rapids, Michigan | Public | ferris.edu |
| Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
5 | Los Angeles, California | Public | lattc.edu |
| Universidad Ana G. Mendez (UAGM Gurabo) |
Master's
|
5 | Gurabo, Puerto Rico | Private | uagm.edu |
| Lawrence Technological University (LTU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Southfield, Michigan | Private | ltu.edu |
| Uintah Basin Technical College (UBTech) |
Residency
|
4 | Roosevelt, Utah | Public | ubtech.edu |
| Norco College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
4 | Norco, California | Public | norcocollege.edu |
| Imperial Valley College (IVC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
3 | Imperial, California | Public | imperial.edu |
| Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Bossier City, Louisiana | Public | bpcc.edu |
| Tarrant County College District (TCCD) |
Other Award
|
3 | Fort Worth, Texas | Public | tccd.edu |
| College of DuPage (COD) |
Other Award
|
2 | Glen Ellyn, Illinois | Public | cod.edu |
| CUNY New York City College of Technology (NYCCT) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | citytech.cuny.edu |
| Mt San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Walnut, California | Public | mtsac.edu |
| Arapahoe Community College (ACC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Littleton, Colorado | Public | arapahoe.edu |
| Minnesota West Community and Technical College |
Associate's
|
1 | Granite Falls, Minnesota | Public | mnwest.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Master's
|
1 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) |
Master's
|
1 | Rochester, New York | Private | rit.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Telecommunications Technology programs
How much can I earn with a Telecommunications Technology degree?
Salaries for Telecommunications Technology graduates vary by role and location. Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians earn a median of $77,180 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $102,500 compared to $58,860 in South Dakota. Approximately 92,710 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Telecommunications Technology programs?
Currently 28 accredited institutions offer Telecommunications Technology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Seminole State College of Florida (91 graduates), Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) (24 graduates), and Colby Community College (24 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Telecommunications Technology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 661 in 2010 to a peak of 646 in 2020, before declining slightly to 282 in 2023-24. This represents a 57% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Telecommunications Technology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians. Related occupations employ approximately 92,710 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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