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Cable puller vs aerial lineman

The differences between cable pullers and aerial linemen can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an aerial lineman has an average salary of $68,702, which is higher than the $39,121 average annual salary of a cable puller.

The top three skills for a cable puller include structured cabling, cat-5 and electrical cables. The most important skills for an aerial lineman are bucket truck, CDL, and ladders.

Cable puller vs aerial lineman overview

Cable PullerAerial Lineman
Yearly salary$39,121$68,702
Hourly rate$18.81$33.03
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs2,4692,566
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 47%High School Diploma, 48%
Average age4545
Years of experience--

Cable puller vs aerial lineman salary

Cable pullers and aerial linemen have different pay scales, as shown below.

Cable PullerAerial Lineman
Average salary$39,121$68,702
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $54,000Between $49,000 And $95,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between cable puller and aerial lineman education

There are a few differences between a cable puller and an aerial lineman in terms of educational background:

Cable PullerAerial Lineman
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 47%High School Diploma, 48%
Most common majorBusinessElectrical Engineering Technology
Most common college--

Cable puller vs aerial lineman demographics

Here are the differences between cable pullers' and aerial linemen' demographics:

Cable PullerAerial Lineman
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 92.4% Female, 7.6%Male, 97.7% Female, 2.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 21.3% Asian, 3.1% White, 57.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 4.2% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between cable puller and aerial lineman duties and responsibilities

Cable puller example responsibilities.

  • Manage projects wiring computer networks and phone systems, using Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a and fiber optics.
  • Install j-hooks, ladder racks and cable tray.
  • Drop cables at end point, terminate cables with RJ45 jacks, test with tone probe tester.
  • Pull and terminate Cat5 and Cat6 cable.
  • Perform upgrades and troubleshoot software and hardware.
  • Put in taps for tv and internet.
  • Show more

Aerial lineman example responsibilities.

  • Dig in anchors and install down guys.
  • Operate ariel truck in placement of telephone cables.
  • Operate bucket truck, ditch witch, augers, boring machine.
  • Inspect and correct violations on poles to meet NESC requirements (Centurylink).
  • Operate heavy equipment, clipping, dead ending, power line maintenance, new build construction.
  • Position require climbing and descending of telephone poles in a safe and timely manner under OSHA requirements.
  • Show more

Cable puller vs aerial lineman skills

Common cable puller skills
  • Structured Cabling, 10%
  • Cat-5, 9%
  • Electrical Cables, 9%
  • Test Equipment, 7%
  • VoIP, 5%
  • Patch Panels, 5%
Common aerial lineman skills
  • Bucket Truck, 15%
  • CDL, 13%
  • Ladders, 13%
  • Hand Tools, 9%
  • DOT, 7%
  • Troubleshoot, 6%

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