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AI Automation Index
Will AI Replace Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers?
Task-level automation exposure for Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers: 40 O*NET tasks scored against their work activities, plus the simulator.
E-E-A-T Verified
Developed & audited by Gini Loh Automation Exposure
34%
weighted task index
40 of 40 tasks scored
Median Salary
$63,890 / year
BLS OEWS, May 2025 — this exact occupation
Employment Level
High
140,920 people hold this job — size, not growth
Projected 2025–35
-3.3%
employment change
11,300 openings a year · BLS line item
Pay by state
BLS OEWS publishes 54 state estimates for this occupation. Each is its own survey estimate, not the national median adjusted for local prices.
$33,760 – $95,850
Highest medians
Alaska $95,850
North Dakota $90,890
New Hampshire $85,240
Vermont $81,800
Louisiana $80,210
Lowest medians
Puerto Rico $33,760
Guam $36,600
Arkansas $49,740
Oklahoma $50,350
Virgin Islands $55,960
State figures come from the 49-2022 row in the May 2025 state panel. States where the estimate was suppressed or too small to publish are absent.
What the score is made of
Each task is mapped to its work activities, scored for AI automation potential, and weighted by how important those activities are to the job. These are the components.
Automation potential 34%
Importance-weighted mean of the scored tasks. This is the headline index.
Physical work 40%
Share of weighted tasks in hands-on or machine-operating work activities.
Judgment & influence 12%
Share in analysis, decisions, teaching, directing, advising, or caring for others.
Routine administration 3%
Share in documenting, recording, and administrative activities.
Rewritten by O*NET 0%
Share of weighted tasks O*NET rewrote in a recent update. Reported, not folded into the score.
Consequence of error 25/100
Low
O*NET's own rating of how serious an uncorrectable mistake would be here — respondents, not us. Deliberately not in the index: the score measures what AI can do with the task content, and multiplying it by stakes would be our judgment dressed as data.
Constituent Task Mix
40 tasks for this occupation, weighted by work-activity importance. Shares below are of total task weight, not task count.
High exposure (≥ 60% of the task is automatable) 17%
7 tasks
Medium exposure (≥ 35%) 26%
11 tasks
Low exposure (below 35%) 57%
22 tasks
How would you survive?
Move your week away from the high-exposure tasks and toward the ones that need judgment. The simulator recalculates the index as you shift the mix.
Simulate Upskilling →Constituent Tasks
#11648 · Core · 45% automatable
Note differences in wire and cable colors so that work can be performed correctly.
situated mobility — Work conditions require physical site assessment
Gather information about work conditions or locations.
#11649 · Core · 25% automatable
Test circuits and components of malfunctioning telecommunications equipment to isolate sources of malfunctions, using test meters, circuit diagrams, polarity probes, and other hand tools.
physical manipulation — Electrical probing and meter work by hand
Test electrical circuits or components for proper functioning.
#11651 · Core · 10% automatable
Drive crew trucks to and from work areas.
situated mobility — Driving vehicles at work sites is situated mobility
Drive trucks or other vehicles to or at work sites.
#11660 · Core · 6% automatable
Assemble and install communication equipment such as data and telephone communication lines, wiring, switching equipment, wiring frames, power apparatus, computer systems, and networks.
physical manipulation — Electrical installation is hands-on licensed trade work
Assemble electrical components, subsystems, or systems. Install electrical components, equipment, or systems.
#11668 · Core · 10% automatable
Run wires between components and to outside cable systems, connecting them to wires from telephone poles or underground cable accesses.
physical manipulation — Running wiring is hands-on installation
Run wiring to connect equipment.
#11652 · Core · 25% automatable
Inspect equipment on a regular basis to ensure proper functioning.
visual inspection — Diagnostic data helps but physical inspection decides
Inspect telecommunications equipment to identify problems.
#11662 · Core · 50% automatable
Collaborate with other workers to locate and correct malfunctions.
decision support — Equipment diagnosis aided; hands-on fix is human
Confer with coworkers to resolve equipment problems.
#11665 · Core · 3% automatable
Climb poles and ladders, use truck-mounted booms, and enter areas such as manholes and cable vaults to install, maintain, or inspect equipment.
situated mobility — Climbing structures requires physical mobility
Climb equipment or structures to access work areas.
#11664 · Core · 30% automatable
Test connections to ensure that power supplies are adequate and that communications links function.
data analysis — AI reads test data; physical test setup is human
Test communications equipment to ensure proper functioning.
#11653 · Core · 18% automatable
Repair or replace faulty equipment, such as defective and damaged telephones, wires, switching system components, and associated equipment.
physical manipulation — Hands-on electronic equipment repair
Repair electronic equipment.
#11674 · Core · 80% automatable
Maintain computer and manual records pertaining to facilities and equipment.
text generation — Document routine operational activities from inputs
Document operational activities.
#11669 · Core · 18% automatable
Remove and replace plug-in circuit equipment.
physical manipulation — Physical component-level repair work
Repair electrical components.
#11655 · Core · 55% automatable
Demonstrate equipment to customers and explain its use, responding to any inquiries or complaints.
interpersonal — AI can script; live explanation and trust are human
Explain use of products or services.
#11650 · Core · 30% automatable
Test repaired, newly installed, or updated equipment to ensure that it functions properly and conforms to specifications, using test equipment and observation.
data analysis — AI reads test data; physical test setup is human
Test communications equipment to ensure proper functioning.
#11671 · Core · 9% automatable
Clean and maintain tools, test equipment, and motor vehicles.
physical manipulation — Cleaning parts for repair needs hands-on dexterity
Clean equipment, parts, or tools to repair or maintain them in good working order. Service vehicles to maintain functionality. Maintain work equipment or machinery.
#11657 · Core · 15% automatable
Adjust or modify equipment to enhance equipment performance or to respond to customer requests.
physical manipulation — Hands-on equipment adjustment for performance
Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
#11680 · Core · 45% automatable
Determine viability of sites through observation, and discuss site locations and construction requirements with customers.
situated mobility — Work conditions require physical site assessment
Gather information about work conditions or locations.
#11663 · Core · 64% automatable
Review manufacturer's instructions, manuals, technical specifications, building permits, and ordinances to determine communication equipment requirements and procedures.
visual inspection — Diagram interpretation partial, human confirms installation
Interpret blueprints, specifications, or diagrams to inform installation, development or operation activities.
#11654 · Core · 10% automatable
Remove and remake connections to change circuit layouts, following work orders or diagrams.
physical manipulation — Rewiring systems is hands-on electrical work
Rewire electrical or electronic systems.
#11673 · Core · 45% automatable
Diagnose and correct problems from remote locations, using special switchboards to find the sources of problems.
decision support — Troubleshooting aided; hands-on diagnosis human
Troubleshoot equipment or systems operation problems.
#11670 · Core · 10% automatable
Route and connect cables and lines to switches, switchboard equipment, and distributing frames, using wire-wrap guns or soldering irons to connect wires to terminals.
physical manipulation — Connecting electrical components is manual work
Connect electrical components or equipment.
#11661 · Core · 50% automatable
Communicate with bases, using telephones or two-way radios to receive instructions or technical advice, or to report equipment status.
decision support — Equipment diagnosis aided; hands-on fix is human
Confer with coworkers to resolve equipment problems.
#11659 · Core · 5% automatable
Remove loose wires and other debris after work is completed.
physical manipulation — Hands-on cleaning of work areas
Clean work areas.
#11658 · Core · 50% automatable
Request support from technical service centers when on-site procedures fail to solve installation or maintenance problems.
decision support — Equipment diagnosis aided; hands-on fix is human
Confer with coworkers to resolve equipment problems.
#11667 · Core · 62% automatable
Designate cables available for use.
decision support — Equipment selection needs site context and judgment
Determine types of equipment, tools, or materials needed for jobs.
#11666 · Core · 78% automatable
Refer to manufacturers' manuals to obtain maintenance instructions pertaining to specific malfunctions.
information retrieval — Technical reading for maintenance well handled
Read technical information needed to perform maintenance or repairs.
#11656 · Core · 66% automatable
Analyze test readings, computer printouts, and trouble reports to determine equipment repair needs and required repair methods.
data analysis — Performance data analysis; equipment context human
Analyze test or performance data to assess equipment operation.
#11682 · Core · 25% automatable
Measure distances from landmarks to identify exact installation sites for equipment.
physical manipulation — Physical distance measurement in field
Measure distances or dimensions.
#11676 · Core · 85% automatable
Enter codes needed to correct electronic switching system programming.
data analysis — Code entry is routine data input
Enter codes or other information into computers.
#11679 · Core · 25% automatable
Examine telephone transmission facilities to determine requirements for new or additional telephone services.
visual inspection — Diagnostic data helps but physical inspection decides
Inspect telecommunications equipment to identify problems.
#11675 · Core · 50% automatable
Install updated software and programs that maintain existing software or provide requested features, such as time-correlated call routing.
physical manipulation — Program installation on equipment needs physical access
Install programs onto computer or computer-controlled equipment.
#11684 · Core · 3% automatable
Dig holes or trenches as necessary for equipment installation and access.
physical manipulation — Manual digging with tools in ground
Dig holes or trenches.
#11681 · Core · 11% automatable
Perform routine maintenance on equipment, including adjusting and lubricating components and painting worn or exposed areas.
physical manipulation — Physical lubrication task requiring hands and access
Paint surfaces or equipment. Lubricate equipment to allow proper functioning. Maintain work equipment or machinery.
#11683 · Supplemental · 10% automatable
Clean switches and replace contact points, using vacuum hoses, solvents, and hand tools.
physical manipulation — Cleaning parts for repair needs hands-on dexterity
Clean equipment, parts, or tools to repair or maintain them in good working order.
#11677 · Supplemental · 80% automatable
Perform database verifications, using computers.
information retrieval — Spec verification against references, human confirms edge cases
Verify information or specifications.
#11672 · Supplemental · 50% automatable
Program computerized switches and switchboards to provide requested features.
physical manipulation — Program installation on equipment needs physical access
Install programs onto computer or computer-controlled equipment.
#11686 · Supplemental · 55% automatable
Provide input into the design and manufacturing of new equipment.
decision support — Advice good; hands-on equipment context needs human
Advise others on issues related to repairs, installation, or equipment design.
#11678 · Supplemental · 55% automatable
Address special issues or situations, such as illegal or unauthorized use of equipment, or cases of electrical or acoustic shock.
information retrieval — Legal research strong, judgment and accountability human
Investigate legal issues.
#11685 · Supplemental · 8% automatable
Install telephone station equipment, such as intercommunication systems, transmitters, receivers, relays, and ringers, and related apparatus, such as coin collectors, telephone booths, and switching-key equipment.
physical manipulation — Electrical installation is hands-on licensed trade work
Install electrical components, equipment, or systems.
#11687 · Supplemental · 24% automatable
Place intercept circuits on terminals to handle vacant lines in central office installations.
decision support — Location decisions need site and regulatory judgment
Determine appropriate locations for operations or installations. Connect electrical components or equipment. Repair electrical circuits or wiring.
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How this was scored
- 1. Tasks. O*NET task statements for this occupation, from a release whose newest record is dated 08/2026.
- 2. Work activities. Each task maps to 1–5 Detailed Work Activities; each activity belongs to one of 41 Generalized Work Activities that O*NET rates for importance (1–5) in this occupation.
- 3. Automation potential. Every work activity carries one score for how far current AI can perform it end-to-end. Tasks inherit the mean of their activities.
- 4. Weighting. Task weight = 0.35 + 0.65 × (importance − 1)/4, scaled by how often the task is performed and by 0.7 for Supplemental tasks. Importance is the task's own O*NET rating where it exists (18,369 of 18,838 tasks); the rest inherit their work activities' importance. The index is the weighted mean.
Check: across the 910 occupations where O*NET also rates how far machine speed sets the pace, this index moves opposite to it (Spearman ρ = -0.49). The more a job is paced by equipment, the less of its task content AI can address — the relationship you would expect if the scoring is working.
Sources · O*NET 31.0 (task records to 08/2026) · BLS OEWS May 2025 · BLS projections 2025-2035 · rubric v2.1 · tasks for O*NET, not a forecast
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