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Communications technician lead vs cable technician

The differences between communications technician leads and cable technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a communications technician lead has an average salary of $113,656, which is higher than the $47,289 average annual salary of a cable technician.

The top three skills for a communications technician lead include troubleshoot, hand tools and communications plan. The most important skills for a cable technician are broadband, customer service, and ladders.

Communications technician lead vs cable technician overview

Communications Technician LeadCable Technician
Yearly salary$113,656$47,289
Hourly rate$54.64$22.74
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs111,154120,249
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%High School Diploma, 39%
Average age4545
Years of experience--

What does a communications technician lead do?

The job of a communications technician lead is to install, maintain, and service various telephone equipment. Communications technician leads install both data and voice communication circuits and limited video transmission aspects. These leads utilize specialized telecommunication tools and hand tools during equipment installation. They collaborate with a certain team to troubleshoot issues associated with cables and communications. The professionals need to acquire extensive knowledge in the use of technical publications, schematics, diagrams, and troubleshooting.

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.

Communications technician lead vs cable technician salary

Communications technician leads and cable technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Communications Technician LeadCable Technician
Average salary$113,656$47,289
Salary rangeBetween $78,000 And $165,000Between $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 technician lead and cable technician education

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

Communications Technician LeadCable Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%High School Diploma, 39%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityNew York University

Communications technician lead vs cable technician demographics

Here are the differences between communications technician leads' and cable technicians' demographics:

Communications Technician LeadCable Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 85.9% Female, 14.1%Male, 95.0% Female, 5.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 6.7% White, 57.3% 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 technician lead and cable technician duties and responsibilities

Communications technician lead example responsibilities.

  • Manage telecommunications installation and repair for hospital Nortel network.
  • Train soldiers on the procedures for secure radio and PC communications.
  • Assist in design and installation of this business's LAN system, expand network for VoIP, and wireless access points.
  • Conduct analysis in determining business process improvements for corporate telecommunication infrastructure.
  • Assist with and refer troubles on DS3 and OC3 level issues to fiber technicians.
  • Perform as liaison with Verizon for installation of T1s, DS3 circuits, and respond to requests for proposals.
  • Show more

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 technician lead vs cable technician skills

Common communications technician lead skills
  • Troubleshoot, 37%
  • Hand Tools, 34%
  • Communications Plan, 8%
  • RF, 3%
  • Technical Support, 2%
  • Test Equipment, 2%
Common cable technician skills
  • Broadband, 10%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Ladders, 9%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • Structured Cabling, 5%
  • TV, 5%

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