Telecoms engineer

33.8K UK workers · typical pay £32,500 · entry route Entry Level / GCSEs grades 1-3. Projected growth of +5% to 2035.

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How AI is actually used here · measured · Anthropic Economic Index

43%

Augmentation

AI mostly does the task

8.4×

Time compression

~2.3h → ~16min

2.92/5

AI autonomy

how hands-off it runs

57%

Automation

of measured usage

How the collaboration splits · the six measured modes

directive 45.4%learning 28.9%task iteration 11.6%feedback loop 11%validation 1.5%unclassified 1.5%

What people make with AI here

explanation / answer35%document / report35%analysis / summary4%

Real Claude.ai usage mapped to this occupation's SOC group, Apr+May 2026, CC-BY. Claude users only; task times model-estimated; augment/automate is how AI is used, not a count of jobs lost. Method →

Facts · ONS + NCS

UK workers (2024)

33.8K

Median pay

£32.5K

Our scored call · a labelled hypothesis, not a measurement

AI exposure

3 / 10

Elasticity

6.5 / 10

2035 outlook

+5%

Exposure · 3/10

Why AI can do the work

The core of this role involves physical installation, manual cabling, and repairing hardware at height or in underground environments, which AI cannot perform. While AI will enhance remote diagnostics and network layout planning, the requirement for on-site manual dexterity and physical presence in the UK's infrastructure creates a strong barrier to automation.

Elasticity · 6.5/10

Whether demand expands when it gets cheaper

Cheaper installation and maintenance costs would accelerate the rollout of fiber-to-the-premises and 5G densification, unlocking a backlog of infrastructure upgrades.

Trajectory to 2035