Telecommunications Engineering Specialist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Telecommunications Engineering Specialists Make?
Telecommunications Engineering Specialists earn a median annual salary of $130,390 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $79,520 at the 10th percentile to $198,030 at the 90th percentile — a range of $118,510. The highest-paying state is Washington at $155,890.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $79,520 |
| 25th percentile | $102,120 |
| Median (50th) | $130,390 |
| 75th percentile | $164,440 |
| 90th percentile | $198,030 |
Telecommunications Engineering Specialist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washingtontop | $155,890 |
| South Dakota | $149,300 |
| Virginia | $148,080 |
| New Jersey | $147,650 |
| Maryland | $143,260 |
| District of Columbia | $140,050 |
| California | $138,350 |
| Massachusetts | $136,930 |
| New York | $136,230 |
| Colorado | $134,680 |
| Connecticut | $134,150 |
| New Hampshire | $133,100 |
| Illinois | $132,310 |
| Georgia | $132,300 |
| Nevada | $132,080 |
| Oregon | $130,810 |
| Florida | $130,320 |
| Texas | $129,110 |
| Utah | $128,990 |
| Alabama | $128,210 |
| Delaware | $127,970 |
| Minnesota | $126,680 |
| North Carolina | $126,000 |
| Rhode Island | $125,140 |
| Arizona | $124,700 |
| Ohio | $124,520 |
| Wisconsin | $121,060 |
| Pennsylvania | $120,420 |
| Idaho | $119,110 |
| Michigan | $117,330 |
| Tennessee | $115,930 |
| Hawaii | $114,590 |
| New Mexico | $113,070 |
| South Carolina | $112,850 |
| Alaska | $112,560 |
| Maine | $111,320 |
| Arkansas | $109,900 |
| Nebraska | $109,590 |
| North Dakota | $109,150 |
| Missouri | $108,480 |
| Indiana | $107,770 |
| Iowa | $107,060 |
| Kentucky | $106,990 |
| Oklahoma | $105,180 |
| Louisiana | $103,880 |
| West Virginia | $103,350 |
| Montana | $101,240 |
| Kansas | $100,910 |
| Wyoming | $97,510 |
| Mississippi | $95,710 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Telecommunications Engineering Specialists
Telecommunications Engineering Specialist Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$79,520 – $102,120 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$130,390 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$164,440 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $198,030+ |
How to Earn More as a Telecommunications Engineering Specialist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Telecommunications Engineering Specialists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $174,120 — $43,730 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($164,440) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Telecommunications Engineering Specialist Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Telecommunications Engineering Specialistthis career | $130,390 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $171,200 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,790 |
| Information Security Analyst | $124,910 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $73,340 |
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SOC: 15-1241.01 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.