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Communications equipment installer vs cable technician

The differences between communications equipment installers 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 $42,455 average annual salary of a communications equipment installer.

The top three skills for a communications equipment installer include hand tools, fiber optic and ladders. The most important skills for a cable technician are broadband, customer service, and ladders.

Communications equipment installer vs cable technician overview

Communications Equipment InstallerCable Technician
Yearly salary$42,455$47,289
Hourly rate$20.41$22.74
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs44,842120,249
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 40%High School Diploma, 39%
Average age4545
Years of experience--

Communications equipment installer vs cable technician salary

Communications equipment installers and cable technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Communications Equipment InstallerCable Technician
Average salary$42,455$47,289
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $49,000Between $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 communications equipment installer and cable technician education

There are a few differences between a communications equipment installer and a cable technician in terms of educational background:

Communications Equipment InstallerCable Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 40%High School Diploma, 39%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringBusiness
Most common collegeInter American University of Puerto Rico BayamonNew York University

Communications equipment installer vs cable technician demographics

Here are the differences between communications equipment installers' and cable technicians' demographics:

Communications Equipment InstallerCable Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 93.4% Female, 6.6%Male, 95.0% Female, 5.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.7% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 6.3% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%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 Percentage6%6%

Differences between communications equipment installer and cable technician duties and responsibilities

Communications equipment installer example responsibilities.

  • Manage telecommunications installation and repair for hospital Nortel network.
  • Perform troubleshooting and diagnosis PC Hardware/Software problem at residential and commercial customer.
  • Determine acceptability of video and data services by reviewing television picture quality and PC and modem connections following any work.
  • Provide rehabilitation to adults with severe/profound developmental disabilities.
  • Provide rehabilitation to adults with severe/profound developmental disabilities.

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

Communications equipment installer vs cable technician skills

Common communications equipment installer skills
  • Hand Tools, 19%
  • Fiber Optic, 15%
  • Ladders, 14%
  • Telecommunication, 9%
  • Patch Panels, 7%
  • Data Communications Equipment, 5%
Common cable technician skills
  • Broadband, 10%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Ladders, 9%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • Structured Cabling, 5%
  • TV, 5%

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