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What does an equipment installer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Steve Harris
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Equipment installer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real equipment installer resumes:

  • Manage telecommunications, data and CCTV equipment.
  • Complete DS3 and DS1 office in-service circuit migrations to digital cross connect systems.
  • Perform tests with a Noyes fiber test set and an MTT DS3 test set.
  • Install EMT and PVC conduits to route communication cables.
  • Draft cell site layouts and wiring schemes on CADD systems.
  • Install cat-5 cable to various locations providing secure and non-secure internet.
  • Work in companies such as Cisco, Alcatel, and Tellabs.
  • Install network switches and power equipment, including analog and digital equipment.
  • Configure line of sight radio connection to establish large scale LAN connectivity.
  • Install DACS and microwave equipment at wireless switch and cell site locations.
  • Install, test and turn up of switches, transmission equipment and collocates.
  • Install fiber and fiber tray, also install cable, BNC connections, crimping, lacing.
  • Install conveyors, lifts, pallet racks, wire partitions, dock seals and levelers, etc.
  • Sprint MTSO install a LIM and run some power cables and power up bay and wire wrap T-1s
  • Work with customers to identify POS system relate problems and advise them on solution, or fix it for them.

Equipment installer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 20% of Equipment Installers are proficient in Plumbing, Hand Tools, and HVAC. They’re also known for soft skills such as Business skills, Problem-solving skills, and Dexterity.

We break down the percentage of Equipment Installers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Plumbing, 20%

    Trained on the job on BBQ installation for electrical and plumbing.

  • Hand Tools, 17%

    Utilized sheet metal hand tools, and soldered copper refrigerant and water lines.

  • HVAC, 13%

    Assisted with the installation of high and low pressure HVAC Duct system which included round and rectangular duct work.

  • Electrical Equipment, 8%

    Diagnose solid-state boards to component level, soldering and replacing parts as needed.Independently install, troubleshoot and repair electrical equipment.

  • Fiber Optic, 5%

    Specialized in professional installation and wiring of fiber optic cable and other equipment.

  • Electrical Systems, 5%

    Perform electrical systems operational and functional checks.

"plumbing," "hand tools," and "hvac" are among the most common skills that equipment installers use at work. You can find even more equipment installer responsibilities below, including:

Dexterity. equipment installers are also known for dexterity, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to equipment installer responsibilities, because "telecom technicians’ tasks, such as repairing small devices, connecting components, and using hand tools, require a steady hand and good hand–eye coordination." An equipment installer resume example shows how dexterity is used in the workplace: "installed conveyors, lifts, pallet racks, wire partitions, dock seals and levelers, etc. "

Color vision. equipment installer responsibilities often require "color vision." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "telecom technicians work with color-coded wires, and they need to be able to tell them apart." This resume example shows what equipment installers do with color vision on a typical day: "acted as subject matter expert on provisioning, activating and testing 24 and 48 volt dc electronic equipment. "

Customer-service skills. A commonly-found skill in equipment installer job descriptions, "customer-service skills" is essential to what equipment installers do. Equipment installer responsibilities rely on this skill because "telecom technicians who work in customers’ homes and offices should be friendly and polite." You can also see how equipment installer duties rely on customer-service skills in this resume example: "uncrated, assembled, delivered and set in place commercial kitchen equipment for customers as scheduled. "

Mechanical skills. While "mechanical skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to equipment installer responsibilities. Much of what an equipment installer does relies on this skill, seeing as "telecom technicians must be familiar with the devices they install and repair, with their internal parts, and with the appropriate tools needed to use, install, or fix them." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of equipment installers: "operated a variety of test equipment to ensure electrical and mechanical integrity of circuitry. "

Most common equipment installer skills

The three companies that hire the most equipment installers are:

Compare different equipment installers

Equipment installer vs. Broadband technician

A broadband technician specializes in installing and maintaining telecommunication systems such as telephone lines, broadband internet, and cable television. Their job usually entails traveling to different residential areas or business establishments to perform on-site installations, inspections, or disconnections. They respond to issues and concerns, inspect systems for damages, troubleshoot problems, fix or replace components, and maintain records. Moreover, a broadband technician also assists clients by answering inquiries, providing cost estimates, educating the clients about the situation, or refer other products or services when necessary.

We looked at the average equipment installer salary and compared it with the wages of a broadband technician. Generally speaking, broadband technicians are paid $4,176 higher than equipment installers per year.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between equipment installers and broadband technicians are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like hand tools, test equipment, and cat5.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between equipment installers and broadband technician. For instance, equipment installer responsibilities require skills such as "plumbing," "hvac," "electrical equipment," and "fiber optic." Whereas a broadband technician is skilled in "broadband," "work ethic," "tv," and "ladders." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Broadband technicians tend to reach similar levels of education than equipment installers. In fact, broadband technicians are 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Equipment installer vs. Tower technician

A tower technician is responsible for maintaining the performance stability of line towers to provide the best network services for the customers. Tower technicians are often out in the field to conduct repairs and installations for the customers, inspecting the area's condition, and reporting structural inconsistencies and defects. They should have excellent mechanical and electrical knowledge to resolve issues immediately and create resolution manuals to prevent reoccurrence and ensure the safeness and security of line towers.

On average, tower technicians earn a $460 higher salary than equipment installers a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Equipment installers and tower technicians both require similar skills like "hand tools," "test equipment," and "hoists" to carry out their responsibilities.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, equipment installer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "plumbing," "hvac," "electrical equipment," and "fiber optic." Meanwhile, a tower technician has duties that require skills in areas such as "osha," "cpr," "rf," and "safety procedures." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

On average, tower technicians earn a higher salary than equipment installers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, tower technicians earn the most pay in the construction industry with an average salary of $39,462. Whereas equipment installers have higher pay in the telecommunication industry, with an average salary of $44,418.In general, tower technicians achieve similar levels of education than equipment installers. They're 0.7% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for equipment installers in the next 3-5 years?

Steve HarrisSteve Harris LinkedIn profile

Executive Director of Education and Business Development, SCTE·ISBE

Installers must support both new and legacy services, even as cable operators roll-out emerging technologies like Wi-Fi 6, out Distributed Access Architecture (DAA), and Fiber to the Home (FTTH). Those interested in cable telecommunications should consider training and certifications that map to their interests and intended career paths.

Entry-level professionals with the new SCTE•ISBE broadband premises installer, SCTE•ISBE broadband wireless installer, or SCTE•ISBE broadband fiber installer (FTTH) certifications will be more successful pursuing a career in the cable telecommunications industry. In fact, the major cable operators use SCTE•ISBE programs to train their employees, so these certifications will put them ahead of the curve.

Equipment installer vs. Phone technician

Tower Climbers are professionals who are responsible for performing comprehensive installations, inspections, and maintenance on cell towers, self-supporting towers, and other tower transmitter systems. These climbers are required to complete tower safety courses so that they can climb communication towers to assist crews in repairing and inspecting communication boxes. They must operate heavy equipment to prepare sites for the construction and erection of communication towers. Tower Climbers should also guarantee the safety of their crews during extreme weather conditions by following company policies and procedures.

On average, phone technicians earn higher salaries than equipment installers, with a $5,679 difference per year.equipment installers and phone technicians both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "fiber optic," "t1," and "service calls," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an equipment installer is likely to be skilled in "plumbing," "hand tools," "hvac," and "electrical equipment," while a typical phone technician is skilled in "customer service," "cell phones," "phone system," and "voip."

When it comes to education, phone technicians tend to earn similar degree levels compared to equipment installers. In fact, they're 0.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Equipment installer vs. Tower climber

Tower climbers typically earn higher pay than equipment installers. On average, tower climbers earn a $4,237 higher salary per year.While their salaries may vary, equipment installers and tower climbers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "fiber optic," "test equipment," and "hoists. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between equipment installers and tower climbers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an equipment installer might have more use for skills like "plumbing," "hand tools," "hvac," and "electrical equipment." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of tower climbers require skills like "cpr," "rf," "osha," and "broadband. "

The telecommunication industry tends to pay the highest salaries for tower climbers, with average annual pay of $46,623. Comparatively, the highest equipment installer annual salary comes from the telecommunication industry.tower climbers reach similar levels of education compared to equipment installers, in general. The difference is that they're 0.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of equipment installer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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