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Cable splicer vs cable technician

The differences between cable splicers and cable technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cable technician has an average salary of $47,289, 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 a cable technician are broadband, customer service, and ladders.

Cable splicer vs cable technician overview

Cable SplicerCable Technician
Yearly salary$46,998$47,289
Hourly rate$22.60$22.74
Growth rate6%8%
Number of jobs23,159120,249
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 33%High School Diploma, 39%
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 a cable technician do?

A cable technician is responsible for managing cable systems, installing cable equipment, upgrading network systems, and troubleshooting cable issues. Cable technicians' duties include replacing defective cabling, running diagnostic tests on newly-installed cable systems, inspecting cable towers and ground cables, providing cable instructions to the customer, responding to customer's cable inquiries and requests, and ensuring the safety of cable structures. A cable technician must have a strong understanding of electrical systems and cable technology, following the established procedures and environmental policies.

Cable splicer vs cable technician salary

Cable splicers and cable technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Cable SplicerCable Technician
Average salary$46,998$47,289
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $72,000Between $34,000 And $64,000
Highest paying City-Jackson, NJ
Highest paying state-New Jersey
Best paying company-Baker Hughes
Best paying industry-Media

Differences between cable splicer and cable technician education

There are a few differences between a cable splicer and a cable technician in terms of educational background:

Cable SplicerCable Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 33%High School Diploma, 39%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college-New York University

Cable splicer vs cable technician demographics

Here are the differences between cable splicers' and cable technicians' demographics:

Cable SplicerCable Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 94.9% Female, 5.1%Male, 95.0% Female, 5.0%
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, 13.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 6.2% White, 57.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage4%6%

Differences between cable splicer and cable technician 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

Cable technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage projects wiring computer networks and phone systems, using Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a and fiber optics.
  • Replace every existing cat-5 data and voice drop with cat-6 cabling and corresponding material.
  • Install cable boxes for cable and modems for computer Internet along with coax cable and CAT5 for phone lines.
  • Conduct on-site installations, correction and repair of clients' broadband service, equipment troubleshooting, and customer service and education
  • Climb ladders and gaff high utility poles to a height of approximately 25 feet, lifting and moving 80 pound ladders.
  • Install cat5 and cat6 for telecommunications
  • Show more

Cable splicer vs cable technician skills

Common cable splicer skills
  • Hand Tools, 29%
  • CDL, 27%
  • Bucket Truck, 5%
  • DOT, 4%
  • Ladders, 4%
  • OSHA, 4%
Common cable technician skills
  • Broadband, 10%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Ladders, 9%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • Structured Cabling, 5%
  • TV, 5%

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