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Cable installer vs tower hand

The differences between cable installers and tower hands 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 $38,967 average annual salary of a tower hand.

The top three skills for a cable installer include broadband, ladders and TV. The most important skills for a tower hand are CPR, RF, and OSHA.

Cable installer vs tower hand overview

Cable InstallerTower Hand
Yearly salary$41,581$38,967
Hourly rate$19.99$18.73
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs72,4657,550
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 42%High School Diploma, 54%
Average age4545
Years of experience--

What does a cable installer do?

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.

What does a tower hand do?

A tower hand is an individual who climbs towers or poles to install, repair, and perform routine maintenance on electrical equipment. Tower hands are required to climb up very tall structures to perform maintenance on equipment such as power lines, cell tower components, or radio antenna equipment. They must perform audits on their climbing equipment so that they can determine the quality of their equipment as well as avoid defects. Tower hands must be competent climbers so that they can safely climb towers while carrying heavy equipment.

Cable installer vs tower hand salary

Cable installers and tower hands have different pay scales, as shown below.

Cable InstallerTower Hand
Average salary$41,581$38,967
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $48,000Between $25,000 And $59,000
Highest paying CityFargo, ND-
Highest paying stateNew Jersey-
Best paying companyHenkels & Mccoy Group Inc-
Best paying industryTechnology-

Differences between cable installer and tower hand education

There are a few differences between a cable installer and a tower hand in terms of educational background:

Cable InstallerTower Hand
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 42%High School Diploma, 54%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringBusiness
Most common collegeNew York UniversityNew York University

Cable installer vs tower hand demographics

Here are the differences between cable installers' and tower hands' demographics:

Cable InstallerTower Hand
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 95.4% Female, 4.6%Male, 96.1% Female, 3.9%
Race ratioBlack 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, 11.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.1% Asian, 6.4% White, 57.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between cable installer and tower hand duties and responsibilities

Cable installer example responsibilities.

  • Develop and lead training programs in preparation for combat.
  • Keep, organize and manage detail DPR's (daily progress reports) for self and crew.
  • Install telephone lines, data lines, and switchboards for major hotels
  • Ensure PMCS and maintenance functions are perform in accordance with publish schedules.
  • Install digital, CATV, telephone and internet services to residential homes and apartments.
  • Install and repair CATV, high-speed Internet, VoIP, basic LAN, and support software/hardware.
  • Show more

Tower hand example responsibilities.

  • Do grounding, terminations, fastening, proper bolting, support of leads, and cad welding.
  • Utilize Anritsu site master in conducting tests on sites while accomplishing tasks including lighting upgrades and troubleshooting of light systems
  • Operate all equipment and hand tools according to OSHA safety rules.
  • Complete installation of UMTS and GSM antenna's, lines, connectors, TMA's, jumpers and support hardware.
  • Assist sweep and PIM testing.
  • Perform Anritsu testing and fiber tests on hybrids.
  • Show more

Cable installer vs tower hand skills

Common cable installer skills
  • Broadband, 38%
  • Ladders, 9%
  • TV, 7%
  • Fiber Optic Cables, 6%
  • Trouble Calls, 3%
  • Cable Lines, 2%
Common tower hand skills
  • CPR, 16%
  • RF, 14%
  • OSHA, 14%
  • Demolition, 13%
  • Hand Tools, 11%
  • Transmission Lines, 7%

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