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Communications technician lead vs telecommunications technician

The differences between communications technician leads and telecommunications 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 $41,935 average annual salary of a telecommunications technician.

The top three skills for a communications technician lead include troubleshoot, hand tools and communications plan. The most important skills for a telecommunications technician are broadband, customer service, and fiber optic cables.

Communications technician lead vs telecommunications technician overview

Communications Technician LeadTelecommunications Technician
Yearly salary$113,656$41,935
Hourly rate$54.64$20.16
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs111,15470,494
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Associate Degree, 35%
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 telecommunications technician do?

A telecommunications technician is responsible for maintaining the company's telecommunication networks, including communication systems and installation of internet lines and cables. Telecommunications technicians inspect the efficiency of the organization's communication networks, ensuring its optimal performance to support the business' operations. They also upgrade the systems, run diagnostic tests for newly installed cables, and create detailed reports of preventive maintenance processes for reference. A telecommunications technician must have excellent knowledge of the technological industry, including the end-users' and clients' needs to determine the best procedures to maintain the reliability of existing systems.

Communications technician lead vs telecommunications technician salary

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

Communications Technician LeadTelecommunications Technician
Average salary$113,656$41,935
Salary rangeBetween $78,000 And $165,000Between $31,000 And $55,000
Highest paying City-Seattle, WA
Highest paying state-New Jersey
Best paying company-Nebraska Public Power District
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between communications technician lead and telecommunications technician education

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

Communications Technician LeadTelecommunications Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Associate Degree, 35%
Most common majorBusinessElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeStanford UniversityInter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Communications technician lead vs telecommunications technician demographics

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

Communications Technician LeadTelecommunications Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 85.9% Female, 14.1%Male, 89.8% Female, 10.2%
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, 13.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 6.2% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between communications technician lead and telecommunications 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.
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Telecommunications technician example responsibilities.

  • Project complete while simultaneously managing VoIP project.
  • Install cable television, high-speed internet, routers, VOIP phone services, and data services to residential and commercial clients.
  • Provide technical and operational guidance and direction to the DoD customer in establishing and operating video teleconferencing systems.
  • Work with OSP to troubleshoot and repair faulty cable plant.
  • Terminate and install telecommunications cabling such as cat5E, fiber, and coaxial
  • Train call center personnel on use of CMS supervisor reports and agent monitoring.
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Communications technician lead vs telecommunications technician skills

Common communications technician lead skills
  • Troubleshoot, 37%
  • Hand Tools, 34%
  • Communications Plan, 8%
  • RF, 3%
  • Technical Support, 2%
  • Test Equipment, 2%
Common telecommunications technician skills
  • Broadband, 14%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Fiber Optic Cables, 6%
  • Telephone Systems, 5%
  • Hand Tools, 5%
  • Telecommunication, 5%

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