For Educators: Military Resources
Military Communications Equipment Operators
Median Salary
75,544
Workforce Count
51,782
Overview
What are the responsibilities of this role?
Communications equipment operators are responsible for generating, transmitting, tracking, and routing military communications. They operate sophisticated, state-of-the-art, electronic receivers and associated analysis and recording equipment to collect airborne, shipborne, land-based radar, and other signals within the electromagnetic spectrum. They use this equipment to communicate a wide range of information, including operational plans and the transmission of classified information. They may perform limited operator maintenance.
What is the work environment like?
Communications equipment operators may work either indoors or outdoors, depending on the specialty. They may be assigned to ships, aircraft, land bases, or mobile field units.
How many people have this role in the Military?
51,782
Compensation
Understanding How Military Pay is More Than Just a Salary
Base pay is the standard income you’ll earn as a service member, providing a stable foundation to start achieving your financial goals.
- Always fixed based on rank and service time.
- Distributed monthly.
What is the typical salary range?
Salary by Years of Service
$100,404
2 Years
$75,331
6 Years
$100,404
10+ Years
Median Salary
Military Details
What Service Branches offer this role?
Is this a staff or leadership role?
Enlisted service members execute vital tasks, support operations alongside officers and develop role-specific skills to achieve mission success.
Learn More About Enlisted and Officer PathsWhat does the training for this role entail?
All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training. Job training for communications equipment operators consists of classroom and on-the-job instruction, including practice in operating a variety of communication systems. Training content varies depending on specialty, and may include:
- Radio/satellite equipment installation, operation, and maintenance
- Communications security
- Message encoding and decoding
- Communications plan development
- Signals exploitation
Education
What level of education do professionals in this role have?
Which college majors best prepare you for this role?
- Computer and Information Sciences, General
- Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance
- Computer Engineering, General
- Computer Engineering, Other
- Information Technology
- Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications
- Network and System Administration/Administrator
- Computer Systems Analysis/Analyst
- Cloud Computing
Learn About How Military Can Pay for 100% of your College Degree
The Military has several programs that cover college costs — so you can pursue your education with little to no debt.
Learn More About Paying For CollegeSkills and Interest
What knowledge is essential to bring to the table?
- Telecommunications
- Computers and Electronics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Engineering and Technology
- Mathematics
What personality traits help people thrive in this role?
Conventional
You like structure, staying organized, and working with systems to get things done efficiently.
Realistic
You love hands-on work and solving practical problems — like fixing things and building stuff.
Investigative
You love figuring out how things work and researching subjects that interest you.
RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.
Take the RIASEC Test