Salaries - PBX Info :: Your Free PBX, PABX and Telephone Information Resource

coryl28 · 10-12-2003, 07:54 PM

I'm hoping someone can help me. I'm trying to find information on telecom salaries. I'm trying to determine where my current salary is in relation to others performing the same type of work. I'm currently a telecom coordinator for a company with 500+ employees and a call centre.

I've been to salary.com, monster.com and monster.ca but I'm looking for something a little more substantial and detailed if possible.

I'm from Canada so any Canadian information would be appreciated but I will also accept US info as well.

TIA

***John_In_Dakota*** · 10-12-2003, 10:19 PM

Your Telcom position sounds alot like mine. Fifteen years in the telcom business, Call Center 300 seats, OPT 81C, Mer Mail, CCR, MAX and MAT. I am under the impressions that once you have established yourself with a good company you are truley one of a kind. With out you as the telcom support your company would be lost without you. You should be compensated greatly. Having said all that...
I have been without a job since January. What I felt was a very good company, and did all the telecommunications, I was let go because the company went bankrupt. There are no telcom jobs in my area. It is true, if you are a good telcom person the company you are with will not likely look for anyone new.

Good luck with your research.

coryl28 · 10-13-2003, 12:17 AM

Thanks John. I feel the same way. There is a large learning curve to the job and each company is different in the way they do things. From what I've discovered, many companies don't have employees like us. They just simply call their local technician whenever they want the simplest tasks performed. I assume that may be part of the reason why you are having such a difficult time finding a new position.

The way I see it, They can either pay the standard salary or they can take several years to train someone new. But if they were to hire someone who already has the skills, the new employee would want as much or more than I would be asking for. From what I've discovered, I'm underpaid by about $10,000 annually. Don't get me wrong though. I'm not naive enough to think that the company would crumble without me or that I'm irreplaceable.

Although I am having a hard time finding information on salaries for this particular position. The information I have found is very limited and not exactly concrete. I've found information available from the goverment but they want as much as $150 for a report on salaries in the telecommunications industry. I can't bear the thought of spending that much money only to discover that my responsibilities and position aren't even included.

Hopefully someone else can help me out.

Thanks.

Pirates_Ghost · 10-13-2003, 08:28 AM

Don't know if it's really any help at all, but while I was looking for work (for 9MONTHS!) I was seeing there seemed to be a LARGE range of salary in similar work (Mind you, it took me the whole of those months to find my current job....
Anyway....what I've found (and even worked) is that for jobs similar to what you've described the range can be anywhere from $25k (low end) to $60k (higher end) American.
Really dependant on the company, the responsiblities of the job it'self, and the relationship (IE contracts) with local providers.
Good luck to ya.

**Chas2002** · 10-13-2003, 11:45 AM

Cory -
It posed twice

**Chas2002** · 10-13-2003, 11:45 AM

Cory -
I'll attach a document that I created for students that come to our hotel and study our Hospitality Management Programs...

Kind of a long read - but a lot of good info...

Document --------------------------------------------------------------------

Hospitality Introduction

~ Private Branch Exchange Department ~
Student Handout by Charles XXXXXX

Have you ever considered a career in Telecommunications?

If so, consider this. The Telecommunications Industry has an expected growth of 12 percent to the year 2010. Changes in technology and government regulation continue to transform the telecommunications industry. Whereas voice telephone communication was once the primary service of the industry, the transmission of a variety of media, including data, graphics, and video, is now commonplace. The widespread installation of fiber optic cables, which transmit light signals along glass strands, permits faster, higher capacity transmissions than those that are possible with traditional copper wirelines. In addition, networks of radio towers provide rapidly expanding wireless telecommunications services. Changes in government regulation have introduced competition into an industry that was once dominated by a single company. Competition from outside the industry is increasing as cable companies and public utilities expand their own communications networks.

This handout covers the following Topics:

Requirements for Employment
Nature of the Telecommunications Industry
Employment
Occupations in the Industry
Earnings
Employment Outlook
Requirements for Employment

Do I need a Degree in Telecommunications or a similar discipline?

Not necessarily. As with any career choice, a degree is the preferred "door opener". What's unique about the Telecommunications Industry is that experience and the ability to perform are crucial elements in obtaining and maintaining employment. Many companies have apprentice programs that allow Telecommunication professionals to obtain experience through On-The-Job training. Branches of the United States Military offer extensive training in Electronics and Telecommunications.

Nature of the Telecommunications Industry

The principal sector of the telecommunications industry is telephone communications. Establishments in this sector operate
both wireline and wireless networks. Wireline networks use wires and cables to connect customers' premises to central offices
maintained by telecommunications companies. Central offices contain switching equipment that routes content to its
final destination or to another switching center. For example, switching equipment may route local phone calls directly from
the central office to their final destination; long distance calls are routed to larger switching centers that determine the most
efficient route for the call to take.
Wireless networks are rapidly expanding; they operate through the transmission of signals over networks of radio towers.
For example, a wireless cellular telephone transmits radio signals to an antenna located on a radio tower. The signal is
then transmitted through the antenna into the wireline network. Other wireless services include beeper, paging, and limited
Internet access. Because these devices require no wireline connection, they are popular with customers who need to communicate
as they travel, residents of areas with inadequate wireline service, and those who simply desire the convenience of portable
communications.
Wireless providers are developing additional technology called third generation (3G) wireless access. Conventional wireless
Internet access is slow, and allows cellular phones to display only limited amounts of text-based information. A 3G system
allows high-speed data transmission and better Internet access. Wireless service is expanding into homes through fixed
cellular service, which involves connecting the telephone system in a house to an antenna, instead of a telephone line. It
should become increasingly common, because 3G wireless will provide a level of service similar to that of wireline systems.
The wireline and wireless sectors also include resellers of telecommunications services who compete with traditional local
telephone service providers. These resellers lease transmission facilities, such as telephone wirelines, from existing telecommunications networks, and then resell the service to other customers. Other sectors in the industry include message communications services, such as e-mail and facsimile services, and operators of other communication services, ranging from radar
stations to radio networks used by taxicab companies.
Voice telephone communications have long been the predominant service offered by telephone companies. With the rising
popularity of the Internet, however, customers increasingly use their telephone service to transmit data and other electronic
materials. The transmission of such content relies on digital technologies that use telecommunications networks more efficiently
than do conventional systems. Digital signals consist of separate pieces of electronic code that can be broken apart during
transmission and then reassembled at the destination without loss of clarity. Telecommunications providers have built
networks of computerized switching equipment, called packet switched networks, to route digital signals. Packet switches break
the signals into small segments or "packets" and provide each with the necessary routing information. Segments may take separate
paths to their destination and may share the paths with transmissions from other users. At the destination, the segments are reassembled, and the transmission is complete. Because packet switching considers alternate routes, and allows multiple transmissions to share the same route, it results in a more efficient use of telecommunications capacity.
The transmission of voice signals requires relatively small amounts of capacity on telecommunications networks. By contrast,
the transmission of data, video, and graphics requires much higher capacity. This transmission capacity is referred to as
bandwidth. As the demand increases for high-capacity transmissions especially with the rising volume of Internet data
telecommunications companies are continually expanding and upgrading their networks to increase the amount of available
bandwidth.
Wireline providers are expanding their networks by laying additional fiber optic cable, which provides higher bandwidth
and transmission speed than does copper wire. The capacity of fiber optic cables is increasing due to a technology known as
wavelength division multiplexing (WDM). WDM divides each glass strand within a cable into different colors of the spectrum; each color can carry a separate stream of data, increasing overall capacity. Providers have also begun offering upgraded service on the copper wirelines that connect most residential customers with the central offices. Technologies such as digital
subscriber lines (DSL) allow simultaneous transmission of voice and data communications at relatively high speeds. Additionally,
satellite communications providers are expanding a network of satellites that competes with wireline providers for highbandwidth
data communication services.
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 allowed competition in all sectors of the communications industry, from local and
long-distance telephone services to cable television and broadcasting. The Act also opened the telecommunications market to
sectors outside the industry, such as public utilities. As a result of this latest round of industry deregulation, telecommunications
companies are able to compete across traditionally separate markets. For example, a single provider might offer both
local and long-distance telephone service. Providers from other industries also are entering the telecommunications market, offering cable TV and high-speed Internet access, as well as telephone service. Such convergent services are popular with customers seeking to consolidate their purchase of communication services. To meet this demand for combined services, mergers are taking place as companies seek to acquire the services they need to compete in the marketplace.

Employment

The telecommunications industry provided almost 1.2 million wage and salary jobs in 2000. Most jobs were concentrated in
telephone communications. Only 34,000 worked in the other sector of the telecommunications industry telegraph and communications services, not elsewhere classified.
Most telephone employees work in large establishments. About 77 percent of employment is in establishments with 50 or
more employees (chart). With continuing deregulation, however, the number of small contractors has been increasing. Telecommunications jobs are found in almost every community, but most telephone employees work in cities that have large concentrations of industrial and business establishments.
Occupations in the Industry

Although the telecommunications industry employs workers in many different occupations, about 55 percent of all workers
are employed in either office and administrative support occupations or installation, maintenance, and repair occupations . Telephone craftworkers install, repair, and maintain telephone equipment, cables and access lines, and telecommunications systems. These workers can be grouped by the type of work they perform. Telecommunications line installers and repairers connect telephone central offices to customers' telephone systems. They install poles and terminals, and place wires and cables that lead to a consumer's premises. They use power-driven equipment to dig holes and set telephone poles. Line installers climb the poles or use truck-mounted buckets (aerial work platforms) and attach the cables using various hand tools. After line installers place cables on poles, or towers or in underground conduits and trenches, they complete the line connections.
Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers, install, repair, and maintain the array of increasingly complex and sophisticated communications equipment and cables. Their work includes setting up, rearranging, and removing the complex switching and dialing equipment used in central offices. They may also solve network-related problems
and program equipment to provide special features. Some telecommunications equipment installers are referred to as telephone station installers and repairers. They install, service, and repair telephone systems and other communications.

Telephone operators, including central office operators and directory assistance operators, make telephone connections; assist customers with specialized services such as reverse-charge calls; provide telephone numbers; and may provide emergency assistance.
Customer service representatives help customers understand the new and varied types of services offered by telecommunications providers. Some customer service representatives also are expected to sell services and may work on a commission basis. Other administrative support workers include financial, information, and records clerks; secretaries and administrative assistants; and first-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers. These workers perform a variety of duties including keeping service records, compiling and sending bills to customers, and preparing statistical and other company reports.
About 12 percent of the industry’s employees are professional workers. Many of these are scientific and technical personnel such as engineers and computer specialists. Engineers plan cable and microwave routes, central office and PBX equipment installations, and the expansion of existing structures, and solve other engineering problems. Some engineers also engage in research and development of new equipment. specializing in telecommunications design voice and data communications systems, and integrate communications equipment with computer networks. They work closely with clients, who may not understand sophisticated communications systems, and design systems that meet their customers’ needs.
Computer software engineers and network systems and data communications analysts design, develop, test, and debug software products. These include computer-assisted engineering programs for schematic cabling projects; modeling programs for cellular and satellite systems; and programs for telephone options, such as voice mail, electronic mail, and call waiting. Telecommunications specialists coordinate the installation of these systems and may provide follow-up maintenance and training. In addition, the industry employs many other managerial, professional, and technical workers, such as financial information and record clerks; accountants and auditors; human resources, training, and labor relations managers; engineering technicians; and computer programmers.
About 12 percent of the industry’s employees are in sales and related occupations. These workers sell telecommunications services, such as long-distance service, personal answering services, voice mail, electronic mail, and call-waiting telephone options. New occupational specialties have emerged based on the industry’s new innovations and technologies. For example, some engineers research, design, and develop gas lasers and related equipment needed to send messages via fiber optic cable transmission. They study the limitations and uses of lasers and fiber optics; find new applications for them; and oversee the building, testing, and operations of the new applications.

Earnings

Average weekly earnings of nonsupervisory workers in telephone communications, the principal sector of the telecommunications industry, were $743 in 2000, significantly higher than average earnings of $474 in private industry. Earnings in selected occupations in telephone communications for 2000 appear in table 2.
Employment Outlook

Employment in the telecommunications industry is expected to increase 12 percent over the 2000-10 period, somewhat less than
The 15 percent projected for all industries combined. Increases in both residential and business demand for high-capacity communications will lead to the expansion of telecommunications networks. Rapidly increasing wireless demand, and the construction of a new generation of wireless systems, will contribute to the continued rapid growth of the wireless portion of the industry.
However, technological improvements, such as fiberoptic lines and advanced switching equipment, have massively increased the data transmission capacity of telecommunications networks, thus limiting employment growth due to productivity gains. The best employment opportunities will be for individuals with strong technical skills.
Residential demand will increase as technology and competition lower the price of today's premium services, such as highspeed Internet access, wireless telephone service, and cable television. Demand also will increase as deregulation allows providers to offer combined services, making it easier for households to obtain a wide variety of telecommunications services. Wireless carriers will enter into the residential service business, providing fixed systems and high-speed Internet service. Therefore, the lines between cable TV, wireless, and wireline telephone systems will become blurred.
Business demand will rise as companies increasingly rely on their telecommunications systems to conduct electronic commerce. In order to remain competitive, businesses will require higher-speed access to the Internet for a variety of purposes including purchasing, marketing, sales, and customer service. Some employment loss will result from improved labor-saving technologies, such as self-monitoring equipment, and from layoffs resulting from mergers and consolidation in the deregulated industry.
Technology will continue to transform the industry. The installation and upgrading of fiber optic networks will bring everfaster
communications closer to residential customers. Internet telephony, which transmits voice, video, fax, and electronic mail communications over the World Wide Web, will blur the boundaries between telecommunications providers and Internet service providers. Wireless providers will increase the capacity of their radio networks and introduce portable, lightweight devices capable of transmitting voice, data, and video. Undersea cables and orbiting satellites will integrate wireline and wireless customers into a global system of high bandwidth communications. The installation of computerized switching systems designed for digital content makes transmitting data, video, and graphics as easy as making voice telephone calls. The removal of competitive barriers increased competition from providers outside the traditional telecommunications industry.
Cable TV providers are using their wireline networks to offer customers a combination of services including telephone
service, Internet access, and cable TV programming. Employment growth will differ among the various occupations in the telecommunications industry, largely as a result oftechnology. Employment of telephone operators is expected to decline due to increasing automation. Computer voice recognition technology lessens the need for central office operators, as
customers can obtain help with long distance calls from automated systems. This technology, which also enables callers to request numbers from a computer instead of a person, is expected to reduce the number of directory assistance operators. Their numbers may drop further as the increasing use of the Internet leads customers to use automated directory assistance resources on the Web.
Employment of line installers and repairers is expected to increase as telecommunications providers expand their networks in response to customer demand. New fiber optic networks will be installed and existing ones expanded to provide customers
with high-speed access to data, video, and graphics. Businesses will request more wireline installations to provide increased
connections to suppliers and customers. Residential customers who are not able to obtain upgrades to their copper wirelines will install additional wirelines in order to use voice and data communications simultaneously.
Employment of telecommunications equipment installers and repairers is expected to decrease because newer, more reliable technologies will decrease the need for equipment maintenance. However, there still will be many openings available for individuals with the necessary technical skills. Employment of engineers and computer professionals is expected to increase. The expansion of communications networks, and the need for telecommunications providers to invest in research and development, will create job opportunities for electrical and electronics engineers.
The use of increasingly sophisticated computer technology will increase employment of computer professionals, including computer software engineers, computer support specialists, and computer systems analysts. Growth among these occupations will, in turn, create employment opportunities for engineering and computer and information systems managers.

Most of this information was found on Government Career indexes posted on web sites. If you are a High School student and would like to research this career further - visit your local library and check out the Official Government Occupational Handbook or speak with your guidance counselor.

Chas2002

**rixride** · 10-15-2003, 12:58 PM

That is a great resource. Thanks Chas2002!

jack · 10-15-2003, 01:14 PM

Here is a link to ghtrout's website that has an annual survey, plus some other neat stuff Gene has

http://home.wi.rr.com/browser/ghtrout-ss/

Mis_Wired · 10-30-2003, 09:06 AM

Government wages for your job...

Those responibilities would be listed as a GS-7 pay scale in the govt. from what I have learned recently. My job now is as a telecommunication specialist for the US Amry Corps of Engineers. My current pay scale is a GS-9 because I have other duties added to the telecomm, but the last guy that was here before me was a GS-11, but he had been here and added to his duties (as I will I hope) to bump up his pay scale.

http://www.opm.gov/oca/03tables/html/RUS.asp

The GS-7 starts about 32K, GS-9 about 39K, and the GS-11 about 47K. The link above has been adjusted for the location I live in the US (Norfolk Virginia) so there will be some variance.

I have only been here a short time but my boss said yesterday if I left, she would jump out the window...if your boss feels that way about you, you may well have some grounds to walk up to a higher pay....if not, it is a risk you have to decide on. Good luck!

I look at any job like this..."I came here looking for a job, and I can leave here looking for a job." But I would rather keep the one I have til I find a better one LOL.

***SD_WILSON*** · 10-30-2003, 09:42 AM

Cory,

I am in Canada. I am the Telecom Engineer for nuclear site. I do everything from telephony and public address to radios and wireless systems and much in between.

Having said all that I'll say that salary is not everything. My peers in other industries are making $80k+ Canadian. BUT they work 40 hour weeks with inflexible work hours. Their overtime is unpaid. They do on-call duty on weekends (also unpaid). Their medical insurance and benefits suck. They started at 2 weeks of vacation and holidays a year with sad sick day compensation. And they are not unionised so they have precious little job security.

Be careful in assuming that you are undervalued salary-wise. I know others that have gone for the money and ended up paying a price that they had not expected (and I am obviously not speaking of money!). Look at all the factors before seeking better pay elsewhere!!

SD