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Cable technician vs wiring technician

The differences between cable technicians and wiring 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 $38,136 average annual salary of a wiring technician.

The top three skills for a cable technician include broadband, customer service and ladders. The most important skills for a wiring technician are hand tools, safety procedures, and control panels.

Cable technician vs wiring technician overview

Cable TechnicianWiring Technician
Yearly salary$47,289$38,136
Hourly rate$22.74$18.33
Growth rate8%7%
Number of jobs120,24962,667
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 39%Associate Degree, 30%
Average age4542
Years of experience-12

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 wiring technician do?

Wiring technicians install and conduct maintenance on wiring in electronic products. They are responsible for ensuring that machines are in working condition, and they continuously review products to ensure only good products are released to customers. They must have the ability to understand wiring schematics.

Cable technician vs wiring technician salary

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

Cable TechnicianWiring Technician
Average salary$47,289$38,136
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $64,000Between $28,000 And $50,000
Highest paying CityJackson, NJEverett, WA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyHawaii
Best paying companyBaker HughesSchneider Electric Industrial Services
Best paying industryMediaFinance

Differences between cable technician and wiring technician education

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

Cable TechnicianWiring Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 39%Associate Degree, 30%
Most common majorBusinessElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeNew York University-

Cable technician vs wiring technician demographics

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

Cable TechnicianWiring Technician
Average age4542
Gender ratioMale, 95.0% Female, 5.0%Male, 86.9% Female, 13.1%
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, 8.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 2.2% White, 66.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage6%3%

Differences between cable technician and wiring 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

Wiring technician example responsibilities.

  • Install, manage, and troubleshoot CAT3, CAT5, CAT6, and fiber optic infrastructures throughout the greater Tulsa area.
  • Full knowledge of cable installation and repair including quad, cat5, cat6, coax, aerial and bury service wire.
  • Install IPTV systems in residences and businesses.
  • Establish and troubleshoot wireless and Ethernet networks.
  • Configure modems, routers and Ethernet switches.
  • Wire custom switchboards and panels per schematics and wiring diagrams
  • Show more

Cable technician vs wiring technician skills

Common cable technician skills
  • Broadband, 10%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Ladders, 9%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • Structured Cabling, 5%
  • TV, 5%
Common wiring technician skills
  • Hand Tools, 25%
  • Safety Procedures, 6%
  • Control Panels, 5%
  • Fiber Optic, 5%
  • Electrical Components, 5%
  • Wire Harnesses, 4%

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