Telecommunications Engineering Specialists

O*NET-SOC code: 15-1241.01

Design or configure wired, wireless, and satellite communications systems for voice, video, and data services. Supervise installation, service, and maintenance.

Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
Very high· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery high
Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
Source dataset (XLSX download)
Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.199
0.000Range of values carried here0.745
Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
Source dataset (CSV download)
Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.52
0.09Range of values carried here0.70
Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
Source dataset (PDF download)

What kind of figure this source publishes

The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.

Task-level exposure

Show 21 hidden tasks

26 rated tasks · 23 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (88.5%)

β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.

Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
All rated tasks are in the O*NET 31.0 task list.

Source: OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
Release: gh-main-0471612
License: MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI

Task (O*NET 30.2)	Claude.aiRaw / share %	APIRaw / share %
Provide user support by diagnosing network and device problems and implementing technical or procedural solutions. 15-1241.01	0.0800100.0	0.010020.0
Monitor and analyze system performance, such as network traffic, security, and capacity. 15-1241.01	0.00000.0	0.010020.0
Manage user access to systems and equipment through account management and password administration. 15-1241.01	0.00000.0	0.010020.0
Implement controls to provide security for operating systems, software, and data. 15-1241.01	0.00000.0	0.010020.0
Document user support activity, such as system problems, corrective actions, resolution status, and completed equipment installations. 15-1241.01	0.00000.0	0.010020.0

Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime. The unit and the meaning differ from the observed shares (%) in the other tabs, so do not place them on the same axis.

Task (O*NET 27.2)	βE1 + 0.5 × E2
Test and evaluate hardware and software to determine efficiency, reliability, or compatibility with existing systems. O*NET Task ID 16061	1.0
Prepare purchase requisitions for computer hardware and software, networking and telecommunications equipment, test equipment, cabling, or tools. O*NET Task ID 16066	1.0
Manage user access to systems and equipment through account management and password administration. O*NET Task ID 16070	1.0
Implement or perform preventive maintenance, backup, or recovery procedures. O*NET Task ID 16074	1.0
Implement controls to provide security for operating systems, software, and data. O*NET Task ID 16075	1.0
Document user support activity, such as system problems, corrective actions, resolution status, and completed equipment installations. O*NET Task ID 16076	1.0
Document technical specifications and operating standards for telecommunications equipment. O*NET Task ID 16077	1.0
Document procedures for hardware and software installation and use. O*NET Task ID 16078	1.0
Install, or coordinate installation of, new or modified hardware, software, or programming modules of telecommunications systems. O*NET Task ID 16083	1.0
Keep abreast of changes in industry practices and emerging telecommunications technology by reviewing current literature, talking with colleagues, participating in educational programs, attending meetings or workshops, or participating in professional organizations or conferences. O*NET Task ID 16058	0.5
Estimate costs for system or component implementation and operation. O*NET Task ID 16059	0.5
Develop, maintain, or implement telecommunications disaster recovery plans to ensure business continuity. O*NET Task ID 16060	0.5
Review and evaluate requests from engineers, managers, and technicians for system modifications. O*NET Task ID 16063	0.5
Provide user support by diagnosing network and device problems and implementing technical or procedural solutions. O*NET Task ID 16064	0.5
Prepare system activity and performance reports. O*NET Task ID 16065	0.5
Use computer-aided design (CAD) software to prepare or evaluate network diagrams, floor plans, or site configurations for existing facilities, renovations, or new systems. O*NET Task ID 16067	0.5
Monitor and analyze system performance, such as network traffic, security, and capacity. O*NET Task ID 16069	0.5
Implement system renovation projects in collaboration with technical staff, engineering consultants, installers, and vendors. O*NET Task ID 16073	0.5
Consult with users, administrators, and engineers to identify business and technical requirements for proposed system modifications or technology purchases. O*NET Task ID 16080	0.5
Communicate with telecommunications vendors to obtain pricing and technical specifications for available hardware, software, or services. O*NET Task ID 16081	0.5
Assess existing facilities' needs for new or modified telecommunications systems. O*NET Task ID 16082	0.5
Order or maintain inventory of telecommunications equipment for customer premises equipment (CPE), facilities, access networks, or backbone networks. O*NET Task ID 20365	0.5
Instruct in use of voice, video, and data communications systems. O*NET Task ID 20366	0.5
Show 13 more tasks ▾Show less ▴

β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.

Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Anthropic Economic Index, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page

All O*NET 31.0 task statements (26)

All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.

Task (O*NET 31.0)	Type
Keep abreast of changes in industry practices and emerging telecommunications technology by reviewing current literature, talking with colleagues, participating in educational programs, attending meetings or workshops, or participating in professional organizations or conferences.	Core
Estimate costs for system or component implementation and operation.	Core
Develop, maintain, or implement telecommunications disaster recovery plans to ensure business continuity.	Core
Test and evaluate hardware and software to determine efficiency, reliability, or compatibility with existing systems.	Core
Supervise maintenance of telecommunications equipment.	Core
Review and evaluate requests from engineers, managers, and technicians for system modifications.	Core
Provide user support by diagnosing network and device problems and implementing technical or procedural solutions.	Core
Prepare system activity and performance reports.	Core
Prepare purchase requisitions for computer hardware and software, networking and telecommunications equipment, test equipment, cabling, or tools.	Core
Use computer-aided design (CAD) software to prepare or evaluate network diagrams, floor plans, or site configurations for existing facilities, renovations, or new systems.	Core
Inspect sites to determine physical configuration, such as device locations and conduit pathways.	Core
Implement system renovation projects in collaboration with technical staff, engineering consultants, installers, and vendors.	Core
Implement or perform preventive maintenance, backup, or recovery procedures.	Core
Document user support activity, such as system problems, corrective actions, resolution status, and completed equipment installations.	Core
Document technical specifications and operating standards for telecommunications equipment.	Core
Document procedures for hardware and software installation and use.	Core
Work with personnel and facilities management staff to install, remove, or relocate user connectivity equipment and devices.	Core
Consult with users, administrators, and engineers to identify business and technical requirements for proposed system modifications or technology purchases.	Core
Communicate with telecommunications vendors to obtain pricing and technical specifications for available hardware, software, or services.	Core
Assess existing facilities' needs for new or modified telecommunications systems.	Core
Install, or coordinate installation of, new or modified hardware, software, or programming modules of telecommunications systems.	Core
Order or maintain inventory of telecommunications equipment for customer premises equipment (CPE), facilities, access networks, or backbone networks.	Core
Instruct in use of voice, video, and data communications systems.	Core
Monitor and analyze system performance, such as network traffic, security, and capacity.	Supplemental
Manage user access to systems and equipment through account management and password administration.	Supplemental
Implement controls to provide security for operating systems, software, and data.	Supplemental

Anthropic, "What work can robots do?"2026-09

0.07/ 3· Robot exposure index

0 none3 unstructured settings

Scale, basis and source

Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time

Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks

Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.

Source dataset

The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.

Tier of each physical task

Robot environment tiers (E0–E3)

E0 noneDetails
Rated not doable by robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated, even in a purpose-built setting
E1 purpose-built robot settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting built around the machine, such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line
E2 structured facilitiesDetails
Rated doable in a human work facility that an institution keeps to a working standard, such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port
E3 unstructured settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting that no institution keeps to a working standard, such as a private home or a construction site

Only tasks classified as physical are listed; other tasks have no tier in the source.

Task (O*NET 29.3)	Robot environment tier
Inspect sites to determine physical configuration, such as device locations and conduit pathways.	E1 purpose-built robot settings
Work with personnel and facilities management staff to install, remove, or relocate user connectivity equipment and devices.	E1 purpose-built robot settings

Employment outlook (BLS)

Values for the whole SOC 15-1241 group (Computer network architects), not for this O*NET occupation alone.

Employment, 2025: 182K
Projected employment, 2035: 196K
Change (2025–35): +7.7%
Median annual wage, 2025: $134,050
Typical education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree

lowest $30,890median wage across 825 detailed occupations, BLS EP 2025–35highest $559,030

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — Employment by detailed occupation, 2025 and projected 2035

Korea classification links (KSCO)

Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.

KSCO code	KSCO title	Relation	Status
22123	통신기술 기술자 및 연구원	This occupation is narrower	confirmed
22124	통신망 운영 기술자 및 연구원	Overlapping, not the same	confirmed
22129	그 외 통신공학 기술자 및 연구원	Overlapping, not the same	confirmed
22121	통신기기 기술자 및 연구원	Related, not a match	confirmed
22122	통신장비 기술자 및 연구원	Related, not a match	confirmed

Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)

ILO occupational description

AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.

ISCO-08 2523Computer Network Professionals

The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.

Computer network professionals research, analyse, design, test and recommend strategies for network architecture and development. They implement, manage, maintain and configure network hardware and software, and monitor, troubleshoot and optimize performance.

Tasks

(a) analysing, developing, interpreting and evaluating complex system design and architecture specifications, data models and diagrams in the development, configuration and integration of computer systems;
(b) researching, analysing, evaluating and monitoring network infrastructure to ensure networks are configured to operate at optimal performance;
(c) assessing and recommending improvements to network operations and integrated hardware, software, communications and operating systems;
(d) providing specialist skills in supporting and troubleshooting network problems and emergencies;
(e) installing, configuring, testing, maintaining and administering new and upgraded networks, software database applications, servers and workstations;
(f) preparing and maintaining procedures and documentation for network inventory, and recording diagnosis and resolution of network faults, enhancements and modifications to networks and maintenance instructions;
(g) monitoring network traffic and activity, capacity and usage to ensure continued integrity and optimal network performance.

Example occupations

Communications analyst (computers) · Network analyst

Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits

ESCO occupational vocabulary

Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.

telecommunications engineerESCO 2153.1Same scope
Telecommunications engineers design, build, test and maintain telecommunication systems and networks, including radio and broadcasting equipment. \ They analyse customer needs and requirements, ensure that the equipment meets regulations, and prepare and present reports and proposals on telecommunication-related problems. Telecommunications engineers design and oversee the service delivery in all it's phases, supervising the installation and use of telecommunications equipment and facilities, preparing documentation and providing training for company staff once new equipment has been installed.
ICT network engineerESCO 2523.3This occupation is broader
ICT network engineers implement, maintain and support computer networks. They also perform network modelling, analysis, and planning. They may also design network and computer security measures. They may research and recommend network and data communications hardware and software.
telecommunications engineering technicianESCO 3522.1This occupation is broader
Telecommunications engineering technician deploy, maintain and monitor a telecommunication system that provides interactions between data and voice communications, such as telephone, video conferencing, computer, and voicemail systems. They are also involved in the design, manufacturing, construction, maintenance and repair of telecommunication systems. Telecommunications engineering technicians provide technical assistance in the research and development of telecommunication equipment.

Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)

License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)

View original

ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.

France classification links (ROME)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.

ROME code	ROME title (French)	Relation
I1104	Ingénieur / Ingénieure infrastructures télécoms réseaux mobiles	This occupation is broaderprovisional
M1804	Ingénieur / Ingénieure télécoms et environnement	This occupation is broaderprovisional
I1106	Responsable de maintenance réseaux des territoires connectés	Related, not a match
M1854	Chef / Cheffe de projet réseau fixe et mobile	Related, not a match
M1862	Responsable d'exploitation fibre optique	Related, not a matchprovisional
M1885	Responsable télécoms	Related, not a matchprovisional

Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.

ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)

Spain classification links (CNO-11)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

CNO-11 code	CNO-11 title (Spanish)	Relation
2443	Ingenieros en telecomunicaciones	Overlapping, not the same
2473	Ingenieros técnicos en telecomunicaciones	Overlapping, not the same
3833	Técnicos de ingeniería de las telecomunicaciones	Related, not a match

Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)

Germany classification links (KldB)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

KldB code	KldB title (German)	Relation
26313	Berufe in der Informations- und Telekommunikationstechnik - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten	Overlapping, not the same
26314	Berufe in der Informations- und Telekommunikationstechnik - hoch komplexe Tätigkeiten	Overlapping, not the same

Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)

Japan classification links (JSCO)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

JSCO code	JSCO title (Japanese)	Relation
106	通信ネットワーク技術者	This occupation is narrowerprovisional

Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)

Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources