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These Are The 10 States With The Highest Cable Technician Salaries For 2026

By Chris Kolmar
Feb. 1, 2018
Last Modified and Fact Checked on: Jan. 14, 2026

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Top 10 States for Highest Cable Technician Salaries in 2026




When considering a career as a cable technician, one of the most critical factors to evaluate is your earning potential. In 2026, cable technician salaries vary significantly across states, reflecting local demand and the cost of living.

While individual salaries may fluctuate based on experience, certifications, and specific roles, we have compiled comprehensive data on the average salaries for cable technicians by state, adjusted for seniority levels. These averages can serve as a reliable benchmark for what you can expect to earn in your area.

To gain insights into how salaries differ nationwide, we reviewed the latest information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics regarding average pay for cable technicians by state.

Moreover, we also factored in the cost of living across states to give a clearer picture of how far your salary can stretch. For instance, a salary in North Carolina goes much further than the same amount in California.

So, which state offers the best salary for cable technicians when adjusted for cost of living? The answer lies in the details of the profession, specifically for Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers.

Here’s a snapshot of the top ten states for cable technician salaries in 2026:

  1. North Dakota
  2. Mississippi
  3. Illinois
  4. Arizona
  5. Georgia
  6. Colorado
  7. Virginia
  8. Michigan
  9. Rhode Island
  10. Arkansas

Let’s delve into how these figures were derived and examine a comprehensive ranking of all states.

For further insights into the job market, check out these resources:

How We Determined Pay by State

As noted, we utilized the average annual salary data for cable technicians from the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics reports, specifically their ‘Occupational Employment Statistics.’

To ensure a fair comparison of salaries across states, we also considered the cost of living in each region.

We created an index by dividing the average wage for a state by the average cost of living. For example, if the cost of living index in a state is 135.9 and the average pay is $56,610, our index value would be calculated as follows:

$56,610 * (100 / 135.9) = $41,655

We ranked each state according to this index, identifying the state with the highest salary index as offering the best average pay for cable technicians.

Detailed List of Cable Technician Salaries by State

Rank State Adjusted Salary Average Wage Cost Of Living
1 North Dakota $64,396 $64,010 99.4
2 Mississippi $62,956 $54,080 85.9
3 Illinois $62,315 $58,950 94.6
4 Arizona $61,744 $60,510 98.0
5 Georgia $60,492 $55,290 91.4
6 Colorado $60,366 $62,660 103.8
7 Virginia $59,821 $60,300 100.8
8 Michigan $59,685 $53,120 89.0
9 Rhode Island $58,823 $71,000 120.7
10 Arkansas $58,656 $51,090 87.1
11 Utah $58,537 $54,440 93.0
12 New Hampshire $58,341 $68,260 117.0
13 Alabama $58,190 $53,070 91.2
14 Nebraska $57,707 $52,860 91.6
15 Wyoming $57,200 $52,510 91.8
16 West Virginia $57,184 $53,410 93.4
17 Minnesota $56,984 $57,440 100.8
18 South Dakota $56,538 $58,630 103.7
19 Iowa $56,384 $51,310 91.0
20 Louisiana $56,350 $53,420 94.8
21 New Mexico $56,290 $54,320 96.5
22 Alaska $56,224 $73,710 131.1
23 Indiana $55,798 $49,940 89.5
24 Nevada $54,898 $56,710 103.3
25 Washington $54,667 $57,510 105.2
26 Montana $54,355 $54,790 100.8
27 Kansas $54,226 $48,750 89.9
28 North Carolina $53,993 $50,700 93.9
29 Pennsylvania $53,816 $54,570 101.4
30 South Carolina $53,679 $53,250 99.2
31 Missouri $53,119 $48,020 90.4
32 Ohio $52,803 $49,530 93.8
33 Texas $52,701 $47,800 90.7
34 Tennessee $52,382 $46,830 89.4
35 Wisconsin $52,190 $50,520 96.8
36 Kentucky $52,165 $47,210 90.5
37 Florida $52,065 $51,180 98.3
38 Massachusetts $51,821 $69,130 133.4
39 Oklahoma $51,479 $45,920 89.2
40 Idaho $51,357 $47,300 92.1
41 New Jersey $51,214 $62,430 121.9
42 New York $50,259 $65,840 131.0
43 Maine $49,783 $55,160 110.8
44 Vermont $49,289 $59,690 121.1
45 Connecticut $47,329 $60,440 127.7
46 Oregon $46,851 $54,160 115.6
47 Maryland $43,697 $54,840 125.5
48 California $41,655 $56,610 135.9
49 Hawaii $37,355 $62,720 167.9
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Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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