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The differences between communications technicians and fiber optic technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a communications technician has an average salary of $52,222, which is higher than the $40,661 average annual salary of a fiber optic technician.
The top three skills for a communications technician include customer service, rehabilitation and hand tools. The most important skills for a fiber optic technician are fiber optic cables, ladders, and power meters.
| Communications Technician | Fiber Optic Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $52,222 | $40,661 |
| Hourly rate | $25.11 | $19.55 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 125,698 | 103,364 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 35% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A communications technician utilizes their expertise in electronics by diagnosing issues and repairing devices ranging from cellphones, laptops, tablets, and more. They are responsible for troubleshooting and discussing the extent of malfunction with clients. Technicians diagnose the root of the problem and determine which corrective measure to take. A communications technician may work independently or as a member of a company. Most of the time, they have to consult with the clients over the pricing and kind of repairs, and then offer replacement parts.
A fiber optic technician is someone who works with the optical cables and fibers used in communications data transmission. Fiber optic technicians fuse fibers together, install fiber cables, and splice fibers in buildings and beneath the ground. They take responsibility for fiber optic network installation and maintenance in schools, homes, businesses, and any other organizations. They identify the solutions to issues or problems to prevent fiber optic systems from their optimal performance.
Communications technicians and fiber optic technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Communications Technician | Fiber Optic Technician | |
| Average salary | $52,222 | $40,661 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $91,000 | Between $31,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | Tualatin, OR | - |
| Highest paying state | Washington | - |
| Best paying company | Pacifi | - |
| Best paying industry | Government | - |
There are a few differences between a communications technician and a fiber optic technician in terms of educational background:
| Communications Technician | Fiber Optic Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 35% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Stanford University | - |
Here are the differences between communications technicians' and fiber optic technicians' demographics:
| Communications Technician | Fiber Optic Technician | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.9% Female, 16.1% | Male, 89.8% Female, 10.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 6.2% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 20.9% Asian, 3.3% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 4% |