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Communications equipment installer vs switch technician

The differences between communications equipment installers 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 $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 switch technician are switches, routine maintenance, and T1.

Communications equipment installer vs switch technician overview

Communications Equipment InstallerSwitch Technician
Yearly salary$42,455$101,377
Hourly rate$20.41$48.74
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs44,84246,430
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 40%Associate Degree, 42%
Average age4545
Years of experience--

Communications equipment installer vs switch technician salary

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

Communications Equipment InstallerSwitch Technician
Average salary$42,455$101,377
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $49,000Between $76,000 And $134,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between communications equipment installer and switch technician education

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

Communications Equipment InstallerSwitch Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 40%Associate Degree, 42%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeInter American University of Puerto Rico BayamonInter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Communications equipment installer vs switch technician demographics

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

Communications Equipment InstallerSwitch Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 93.4% Female, 6.6%Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4%
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, 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 communications equipment installer and switch 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.

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

Communications equipment installer vs switch 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 switch technician skills
  • Switches, 9%
  • Routine Maintenance, 7%
  • T1, 7%
  • RF, 6%
  • Technical Support, 4%
  • Trouble Tickets, 4%

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