Communications Technology
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Types of Degrees Communications Technology Majors Are Getting
The following table lists how many communications technology graduations there were in 2018-2019 for each degree level.
| Education Level | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 17 |
What Communications Technology Majors Need to Know
People with careers related to communications tech were asked what knowledge areas, skills, and abilities were important for their jobs. They weighted these areas on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the highest.
Knowledge Areas for Communications Tech Majors
Communications Tech majors often go into careers in which the following knowledge areas are important:
- Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
- Communications and Media - Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
- English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
- Telecommunications - Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Skills for Communications Tech Majors
communications tech majors are found most commonly in careers in which the following skills are important:
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Abilities for Communications Tech Majors
As a communications tech major, you will find yourself needing the following abilities:
- Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
- Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
What Can You Do With a Communications Technology Major?
People with a communications tech degree often go into the following careers:
| Job Title | Job Growth Rate | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Film and Video Editors | 17.0% | $62,650 |
| Media and Communication Workers | 10.0% | $48,330 |
| Sound Engineering Technicians | 6.5% | $52,390 |
Who Is Getting a Master’s Degree in Communications Technology?
Racial-Ethnic Diversity
At the countrywide level, the racial-ethnic distribution of communications tech majors is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 1 |
| Black or African American | 3 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 2 |
| White | 9 |
| International Students | 2 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 0 |
Geographic Diversity
Americans aren’t the only ones with an interest in Communications Tech. About 11.8% of those with this major are international students. The most popular countries for students from outside the country are:
- India
- Saudi Arabia
- China
- Mexico
- Thailand
How Much Do Communications Technology Majors Make?
Salaries According to BLS
Average salaries range from $46,770 to $63,500 (25th to 75th percentile) for careers related to communications tech. This range includes all degree levels, so you may expect those with a more advanced degree to make more while those with less advanced degrees will typically make less.
To put that into context, according to BLS data from the first quarter of 2020, the typical high school graduate makes between $30,000 and $57,900 a year (25th through 75th percentile). The average person with a bachelor’s degree (any field) makes between $45,600 and $99,000. Advanced degree holders make the most with salaries between $55,600 and $125,400.
Amount of Education Required for Careers Related to Communications Technology
Some degrees associated with communications tech may require an advanced degree, while others may not even require a bachelor’s in the field. Whatever the case may be, pursuing more education usually means that more career options will be available to you.
Find out what the typical degree level is for communications tech careers below.
| Education Level | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Less than a High School Diploma | 3.6% |
| High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED) | 21.3% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production) | 16.1% |
| Some College Courses | 19.4% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 21.3% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 20.0% |
| First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession. | 1.2% |
Online Communications Technology Programs
In the 2018-2019 academic year, 48 schools offered some type of communications technology program. The following table lists the number of programs by degree level, along with how many schools offered online courses in the field.
| Degree Level | Colleges Offering Programs | Colleges Offering Online Classes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate (Less Than 1 Year) | 18 | 1 |
| Certificate (1-2 years) | 14 | 0 |
| Certificate (2-4 Years) | 0 | 0 |
| Associate’s Degree | 12 | 0 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 2 | 0 |
| Post-Baccalaureate | 18 | 1 |
| Master’s Degree | 3 | 1 |
| Post-Master’s | 0 | 0 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Research) | 0 | 0 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Professional Practice) | 0 | 0 |
| Doctor’s Degree (Other) | 0 | 0 |
Is a Degree in Communications Technology Worth It?
The median salary for a communications tech grad is $52,430 per year. This is based on the weighted average of the most common careers associated with the major.
This is 31% more than the average salary for an individual holding a high school degree. This adds up to a gain of about $250,600 after 20 years!
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Majors Related to Communications Technology
You may also be interested in one of the following majors related to communications tech.
| Major | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Graphic Communications | 409 |
| Audiovisual Communications | 166 |
| Other Communication Technology | 12 |
References
- College Factual
- College Scorecard
- National Center for Education Statistics
- O*NET Online
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Usual Weekly Earnings of Wage and Salary Workers First Quarter 2020
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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