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Cable technician vs switch technician

The differences between cable technicians and switch technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a switch technician has an average salary of $101,377, which is higher than the $47,289 average annual salary of a cable technician.

The top three skills for a cable technician include broadband, customer service and ladders. The most important skills for a switch technician are switches, routine maintenance, and T1.

Cable technician vs switch technician overview

Cable TechnicianSwitch Technician
Yearly salary$47,289$101,377
Hourly rate$22.74$48.74
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs120,24946,430
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 39%Associate Degree, 42%
Average age4545
Years of experience--

Cable technician vs switch technician salary

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

Cable TechnicianSwitch Technician
Average salary$47,289$101,377
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $64,000Between $76,000 And $134,000
Highest paying CityJackson, NJ-
Highest paying stateNew Jersey-
Best paying companyBaker Hughes-
Best paying industryMedia-

Differences between cable technician and switch technician education

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

Cable TechnicianSwitch Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 39%Associate Degree, 42%
Most common majorBusinessElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeNew York UniversityInter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Cable technician vs switch technician demographics

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

Cable TechnicianSwitch Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 95.0% Female, 5.0%Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4%
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, 12.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 6.3% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between cable technician and switch 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

Switch technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage LAN as an administrator for NATO HQ network.
  • Assist in managing CDMA network, Voice/EVDO circuit's layouts, CDM circuit inventory and roll over's for cell sites.
  • Configure Veraz switch for TDM and IP services.
  • Coordinate installation, testing, and troubleshooting of transmission facilities (OC48, T3, T1, and DSO).
  • Work with management team to develop a comprehensive and successful IP and TDM base network infrastructure and unify communications plan.
  • Circuit switching (DMS-250 and Alcatel DEX-600E).
  • Show more

Cable technician vs switch technician skills

Common cable technician skills
  • Broadband, 10%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Ladders, 9%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • Structured Cabling, 5%
  • TV, 5%
Common switch technician skills
  • Switches, 9%
  • Routine Maintenance, 7%
  • T1, 7%
  • RF, 6%
  • Technical Support, 4%
  • Trouble Tickets, 4%

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