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What does a cable technician do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
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.

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Cable technician responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real cable technician resumes:

  • 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
  • Install and test cat-5 networks in several office buildings.
  • Install and terminate coax cable for CATV and CCTV.
  • Assist customers with setting up wi-fi systems upon install.
  • Certify LAN systems and very involve with safety awareness.
  • Experience in stalling support structures such as j-hooks, cable slings.
  • Install POS stations, configure them for the new network system.
  • Experience with work orders and usage of IP addresses to set up info.
  • Implement excellent QC results that save clients hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.
  • Hang j-hooks, ladder rack, dress all cables in rack to the communications closet

Cable technician skills and personality traits

We calculated that 10% of Cable Technicians are proficient in Broadband, Customer Service, and Ladders. They’re also known for soft skills such as Color vision, Customer-service skills, and Dexterity.

We break down the percentage of Cable Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Broadband, 10%

    Install, maintain, and troubleshoot Cable TV, Broadband and VOIP Systems (with and without wired alarm services).

  • Customer Service, 10%

    Cable Technician excelling to provide customer service in residential/commercial areas of installing inside/outside media to vendor code.

  • Ladders, 9%

    Work with cable, Problem Solving, able to climb ladders easily, work in tight areas, and in high locations

  • Hand Tools, 6%

    Performed maintenance tasks such as measured, cut and installed wires and cables, spliced wires and cables using hand tools.

  • Structured Cabling, 5%

    Structured Cabling- Switch and Router Retrofits for Wal-Mart Stores- Apprentice electrical work

  • TV, 5%

    Job functions included knowledge with digital satellite TV, systems and equipment, including telecommunications and internet service connections.

"broadband," "customer service," and "ladders" are among the most common skills that cable technicians use at work. You can find even more cable technician responsibilities below, including:

Color vision. One of the key soft skills for a cable technician to have is color vision. You can see how this relates to what cable technicians do because "telecom technicians work with color-coded wires, and they need to be able to tell them apart." Additionally, a cable technician resume shows how cable technicians use color vision: "installed equipment such as broadband internet, land line services, and cable television to fulfill customers' needs. "

Customer-service skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling cable technician duties is customer-service skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "telecom technicians who work in customers’ homes and offices should be friendly and polite." According to a cable technician resume, here's how cable technicians can utilize customer-service skills in their job responsibilities: "install cat6 data cables and network hubs to provide wireless communication for the customer. "

Dexterity. This is an important skill for cable technicians to perform their duties. For an example of how cable technician responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "telecom technicians’ tasks, such as repairing small devices, connecting components, and using hand tools, require a steady hand and good hand–eye coordination." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a cable technician: "include patch panels, beam clamps, bridle rings also certified in boom lift operations. ".

Mechanical skills. cable technician responsibilities often require "mechanical skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "telecom technicians must be familiar with the devices they install and repair, with their internal parts, and with the appropriate tools needed to use, install, or fix them." This resume example shows what cable technicians do with mechanical skills on a typical day: "splice cables, using hand tools, epoxy, or mechanical equipment. "

Troubleshooting skills. Another crucial skill for a cable technician to carry out their responsibilities is "troubleshooting skills." A big part of what cable technicians relies on this skill, since "telecom technicians must be able to troubleshoot and devise solutions to problems that are not immediately apparent." How this skill relates to cable technician duties can be seen in an example from a cable technician resume snippet: "install data cables, testing cable networks, troubleshooting complaints, monitoring cable performance and setting priorities. "

All cable technician skills

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Compare different cable technicians

Cable technician vs. Systems installer

A tower hand is an individual who climbs towers or poles to install, repair, and perform routine maintenance on electrical equipment. Tower hands are required to climb up very tall structures to perform maintenance on equipment such as power lines, cell tower components, or radio antenna equipment. They must perform audits on their climbing equipment so that they can determine the quality of their equipment as well as avoid defects. Tower hands must be competent climbers so that they can safely climb towers while carrying heavy equipment.

The annual salary of systems installers is $7,694 lower than the average salary of cable technicians.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between cable technicians and systems installers are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like structured cabling, cat5, and service calls.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a cable technician are more likely to require skills like "broadband," "customer service," "first hand," and "ladders." On the other hand, a job as a systems installer requires skills like "hvac," "telephone systems," "fire alarms," and "alarm systems." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Systems installers earn the highest salaries when working in the telecommunication industry, with an average yearly salary of $52,453. On the other hand, cable technicians are paid more in the media industry with an average salary of $51,786.systems installers tend to reach similar levels of education than cable technicians. In fact, systems installers are 2.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Cable technician vs. Tower hand

A cable installer installs and maintains telecommunication systems and equipment such as telephone lines, cable television, or internet services at homes or commercial areas. In some companies, a cable installer may also handle complaints and concerns, conduct inspections, troubleshoot problems, and fix or replace components when necessary. Their job often requires them to climb up poles or even towers to attach or repair wires, and there are times when they may perform adjustments or even disconnections. They may also assist clients by answering inquiries, providing instructions, or referring them to other services when necessary.

On average, tower hands earn a $8,322 lower salary than cable technicians a year.A few skills overlap for cable technicians and tower hands. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "hand tools," "work ethic," and "telecommunication. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, cable technician responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "broadband," "customer service," "first hand," and "ladders." Meanwhile, a tower hand has duties that require skills in areas such as "cpr," "rf," "osha," and "demolition." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Average education levels between the two professions vary. Tower hands tend to reach similar levels of education than cable technicians. In fact, they're 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Cable technician vs. Cable installer

An Installation and Repair Technician specializes in installing and repairing equipment and systems in establishments and homes. It is their responsibility to communicate and meet with clients to identify their needs, assess installation areas, implement tests, inspect damages or defects, troubleshoot problems, and perform corrective measures as needed. They may also recommend practices, provide instructions, maintain the cleanliness of work areas, and refer clients to other services should the case require. They must also keep records of transactions and maintain an active communication line with co-workers for an efficient workflow.

On average, cable installers earn lower salaries than cable technicians, with a $5,708 difference per year.By looking over several cable technicians and cable installers resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "broadband," "ladders," and "structured cabling." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, cable technicians are more likely to have skills like "customer service," "first hand," "hand tools," and "work ethic." But a cable installer is more likely to have skills like "preventive maintenance," "extension ladders," "network troubleshooting," and "cable reels."

Cable installers make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $43,049. On the other hand, cable technicians are paid the highest salary in the media industry, with average annual pay of $51,786.When it comes to education, cable installers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to cable technicians. In fact, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Cable technician vs. Installation and repair technician

Installation and repair technicians tend to earn a lower pay than cable technicians by an average of $6,305 per year.While their salaries may vary, cable technicians and installation and repair technicians both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "broadband," "customer service," and "ladders. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between cable technicians and installation and repair technicians, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a cable technician might have more use for skills like "first hand," "structured cabling," "tv," and "work ethic." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of installation and repair technicians require skills like "test equipment," "dsl," "little supervision," and "customer satisfaction. "

The utilities industry tends to pay the highest salaries for installation and repair technicians, with average annual pay of $52,512. Comparatively, the highest cable technician annual salary comes from the media industry.installation and repair technicians reach similar levels of education compared to cable technicians, in general. The difference is that they're 1.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of cable technician

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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