How much does a communications equipment operator make?
Median yearly pay in the United States: half earn more and half earn less. That is $26.29 an hour or $4,557 a month.
- Hourly
- $26.29
- Average (mean)
- $62,130
- Jobs
- 1,200
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,900 | $18.70 | |
| 25th | $46,460 | $22.34 | |
| Median | $54,680 | $26.29 | |
| 75th | $78,470 | $37.73 | |
| 90th | $94,640 | $45.50 |
By state
Median yearly pay.
| Missouri | $87,030 |
| California | $79,450 |
| Texas | $58,410 |
| Massachusetts | $54,500 |
| Minnesota | $54,500 |
| Michigan | $51,920 |
| Louisiana | $48,560 |
| Ohio | $47,360 |
| North Carolina | $46,430 |
Highest paying cities
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Los Angeles, CA | $60,630 |
| San Juan, PR | $22,850 |
In other countries
Communications Equipment Operator belongs to the international group "Broadcasting and audiovisual technicians".
Compare pay in 140 countriesSimilar jobs
- Switchboard Operator$38,630
- Telephone Operator$41,740
Frequently asked questions
How much does a communications equipment operator make an hour?
The median hourly pay is $26.29 ($54,680 a year).
How much does a communications equipment operator make a month?
About $4,557 a month before tax, based on a median of $54,680 a year.
How much does a communications equipment operator make starting out?
The lowest-paid 10% make $38,900 or less a year ($18.70 an hour); the top 10% make $94,640 or more.
Which state pays communications equipment operators the most?
Missouri, with a median of $87,030 a year, followed by California ($79,450) and Texas ($58,410).
Which city pays communications equipment operators the most?
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, with a median of $60,630 a year.
How many communications equipment operators are there in the United States?
About 1,200 people work as communications equipment operators.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.