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Cable technician vs broadband technician

The differences between cable technicians and broadband 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 $41,187 average annual salary of a broadband technician.

The top three skills for a cable technician include broadband, customer service and ladders. The most important skills for a broadband technician are broadband, work ethic, and TV.

Cable technician vs broadband technician overview

Cable TechnicianBroadband Technician
Yearly salary$47,289$41,187
Hourly rate$22.74$19.80
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs120,249108,109
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 39%Associate Degree, 34%
Average age4545
Years of experience--

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.

What does a broadband technician do?

A broadband technician specializes in installing and maintaining telecommunication systems such as telephone lines, broadband internet, and cable television. Their job usually entails traveling to different residential areas or business establishments to perform on-site installations, inspections, or disconnections. They respond to issues and concerns, inspect systems for damages, troubleshoot problems, fix or replace components, and maintain records. Moreover, a broadband technician also assists clients by answering inquiries, providing cost estimates, educating the clients about the situation, or refer other products or services when necessary.

Cable technician vs broadband technician salary

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

Cable TechnicianBroadband Technician
Average salary$47,289$41,187
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $64,000Between $32,000 And $52,000
Highest paying CityJackson, NJ-
Highest paying stateNew Jersey-
Best paying companyBaker Hughes-
Best paying industryMedia-

Differences between cable technician and broadband technician education

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

Cable TechnicianBroadband Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 39%Associate Degree, 34%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeNew York UniversityNew York University

Cable technician vs broadband technician demographics

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

Cable TechnicianBroadband Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 95.0% Female, 5.0%Male, 93.8% Female, 6.2%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 12.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 6.6% White, 58.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between cable technician and broadband technician duties and responsibilities

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

Broadband technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage telecommunications installation and repair for hospital Nortel network.
  • Audit cable lines and be in accordance to OSHA standards.
  • Respond to repair service calls to troubleshoot and resolve installation issues.
  • Install and configure communications racks with assort patch panels, routers, radios, and power assemblages.
  • Design homes and businesses up to 700 RF connections and 200 Ethernet connections plus large scale 80211 (Wi-Fi).
  • Work with coax and ethernet phone lines.
  • Show more

Cable technician vs broadband technician skills

Common cable technician skills
  • Broadband, 10%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Ladders, 9%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • Structured Cabling, 5%
  • TV, 5%
Common broadband technician skills
  • Broadband, 22%
  • Work Ethic, 7%
  • TV, 7%
  • Ladders, 5%
  • Electronic Devices, 5%
  • OSHA, 4%

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