Telecommunications Analyst

Modern telecommunications systems bear little resemblance to those first envisioned by Alexander Graham Bell. Telephone systems have converged with computers and 3G networks, analog systems have migrated to digital and the telecommunications industry has expanded to include cable, satellite, wireless and Internet communications services. When it comes to evaluating, testing and maintaining telecommunications equipment, telecommunications analysts are the professionals to call.

If you have technical abilities and enjoy working with communications systems and networks, a career as a telecommunications analyst may be the perfect fit for you.

Telecommunications Analyst Degrees

Depending on the job role and specialty desired, preparing for a career as a telecommunications analyst typically involves pursuing a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications, computer science or data communications. In addition to obtaining your degree, you will be expected to stay on top of the latest technological innovations throughout your career, which involves continuing education and training.

Telecommunications Analyst Job Description

Telecommunications analysts often work in team environments along with engineers, programmers, technicians, managers, vendors and other analysts. As a telecommunications analyst, your job would involve the analysis, evaluation and maintenance of telecommunications equipment.

Some of the common job duties of a telecommunications analyst include:

• Recommending new systems
• Analyzing related costs
• Troubleshooting equipment
• Coordinating installations
• Testing hardware and software
• Training end users

Wireless devices, computer networks, communications software and line equipment are just a few of the tools that telecommunications analysts come in contact with throughout their career.

Telecommunications Analyst Salary

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that occupations in the telecommunications field will increase by five percent from 2006 through 2016 as consumers and businesses demand faster services.

National salary surveys reported by the Michigan Department of Labor and Growth for 2006 indicate that senior analysts earned an average annual salary of $78,900, while intermediate analysts earned an average salary of $62,500. Trainees in the telecommunications analyst occupation earned an average annual salary of $47,700.