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Cable splicer vs aerial lineman

The differences between cable splicers 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 $46,998 average annual salary of a cable splicer.

The top three skills for a cable splicer include hand tools, CDL and bucket truck. The most important skills for an aerial lineman are bucket truck, CDL, and ladders.

Cable splicer vs aerial lineman overview

Cable SplicerAerial Lineman
Yearly salary$46,998$68,702
Hourly rate$22.60$33.03
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs23,1592,566
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 33%High School Diploma, 48%
Average age4545
Years of experience--

What does a cable splicer do?

Cable splicers are skilled employees who are responsible for installing, splicing, testing, and repairing high-voltage overhead, underground, or submarine cables or wires. To reach the location of these high-voltage cables, cable splicers are required to climb utility poles, utilize truck-mounted lift buck, and descend into underground manholes. They must use a variety of specialized test equipment, including handheld electric and non-electric hand tools when making repairs or performing cable wiring. Cable splicers must also work with other teams on splicing telephone cables.

What does an aerial lineman do?

Aerial linemen are skilled professionals who mainly work with power lines. They are in charge of the installation, repair, and maintenance of power lines. They work with electrical posts, underground cables, power towers, and any other material used to distribute electricity or power. Aerial linemen may also be called upon to resolve electricity or power-related issues. They should be able to assess concerns and come up with ways to address these problems. Aerial linemen should be familiar with occupational health and safety guidelines to avoid hazards and potential dangers while working.

Cable splicer vs aerial lineman salary

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

Cable SplicerAerial Lineman
Average salary$46,998$68,702
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $72,000Between $49,000 And $95,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between cable splicer and aerial lineman education

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

Cable SplicerAerial Lineman
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 33%High School Diploma, 48%
Most common majorBusinessElectrical Engineering Technology
Most common college--

Cable splicer vs aerial lineman demographics

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

Cable SplicerAerial Lineman
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 94.9% Female, 5.1%Male, 97.7% Female, 2.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 4.0% White, 59.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%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 splicer and aerial lineman duties and responsibilities

Cable splicer example responsibilities.

  • Install UTP, STP, and T1 cabling.
  • Dig and shore up cable pits, work in manholes, wire main frames and sub frames for cable throws.
  • Follow safety procedures according to OSHA and BellSouth practices.
  • Pull cable and dig for under grind missile bores.
  • Ensure that equipment run at optimal levels, perform routine maintenance and repairs.
  • Review team members work ensuring that OSP standards are met as well as company policies and procedures.
  • 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 splicer vs aerial lineman skills

Common cable splicer skills
  • Hand Tools, 29%
  • CDL, 27%
  • Bucket Truck, 5%
  • DOT, 4%
  • Ladders, 4%
  • OSHA, 4%
Common aerial lineman skills
  • Bucket Truck, 15%
  • CDL, 13%
  • Ladders, 13%
  • Hand Tools, 9%
  • DOT, 7%
  • Troubleshoot, 6%

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