Communications Equipment Operator salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A communications equipment operator earns a median of $54,680 a year ($26.29 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $62,130. About 1,200 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $54,680
- Gross pay
- $2,103.08
- Federal income tax
- −$168.52
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$130.39
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$30.49
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $1,773.67
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $54,680
- Federal
- $4,382
- FICA
- $4,183
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $46,115
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
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- Cargo and Freight Agent: $52,260
- Proofreader and Copy Marker: $51,120
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk: $58,260
BLS occupation: Communications Equipment Operators, All Other. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 43-2099). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a communications equipment operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $26.29; the average is $29.87.
What is the salary range for a communications equipment operator?
The bottom 10% earn under $38,900 and the top 10% earn over $94,640 a year.
How much is $54,680 after taxes?
About $46,115 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $44,084 in California for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.