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The differences between cable installers and tower climbers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cable installer has an average salary of $41,581, which is higher than the $41,248 average annual salary of a tower climber.
The top three skills for a cable installer include broadband, ladders and TV. The most important skills for a tower climber are CPR, RF, and OSHA.
| Cable Installer | Tower Climber | |
| Yearly salary | $41,581 | $41,248 |
| Hourly rate | $19.99 | $19.83 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 72,465 | 18,165 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A cable installer installs and maintains telecommunication systems and equipment such as telephone lines, cable television, or internet services at homes or commercial areas. In some companies, a cable installer may also handle complaints and concerns, conduct inspections, troubleshoot problems, and fix or replace components when necessary. Their job often requires them to climb up poles or even towers to attach or repair wires, and there are times when they may perform adjustments or even disconnections. They may also assist clients by answering inquiries, providing instructions, or referring them to other services when necessary.
Tower Climbers are professionals who are responsible for performing comprehensive installations, inspections, and maintenance on cell towers, self-supporting towers, and other tower transmitter systems. These climbers are required to complete tower safety courses so that they can climb communication towers to assist crews in repairing and inspecting communication boxes. They must operate heavy equipment to prepare sites for the construction and erection of communication towers. Tower Climbers should also guarantee the safety of their crews during extreme weather conditions by following company policies and procedures.
Cable installers and tower climbers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cable Installer | Tower Climber | |
| Average salary | $41,581 | $41,248 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $48,000 | Between $28,000 And $59,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fargo, ND | Sacramento, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | California |
| Best paying company | Henkels & Mccoy Group Inc | General Dynamics Mission Systems |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a cable installer and a tower climber in terms of educational background:
| Cable Installer | Tower Climber | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | High School Diploma, 49% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | New York University | New York University |
Here are the differences between cable installers' and tower climbers' demographics:
| Cable Installer | Tower Climber | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.4% Female, 4.6% | Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.9% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 6.3% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 6.6% White, 57.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |