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Fiber optic central office installer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a fiber optic central office installer. Fiber optic central office installers usually study electrical engineering, electrical engineering technology, or business. 38% of fiber optic central office installers hold a high school diploma, and 24% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 267 real fiber optic central office installer resumes to see exactly what fiber optic central office installer education sections show.

The most common colleges for fiber optic central office installers are the ECPI University and the ECPI University.

There are also many online fiber optic central office installer courses to help get the education required to be a fiber optic central office installer.

What education do you need to become a fiber optic central office installer?

What degree do you need to be a fiber optic central office installer?

The most common degree for fiber optic central office installers is high school diploma, with 38% of fiber optic central office installers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 24% and associate degree degree at 16%.
  • High School Diploma, 38%
  • Associate, 24%
  • Bachelor's, 16%
  • Diploma, 14%
  • Other Degrees, 8%

What should I major in to become a fiber optic central office installer?

You should major in electrical engineering to become a fiber optic central office installer. 16% of fiber optic central office installers major in electrical engineering. Other common majors for a fiber optic central office installer include electrical engineering technology and business.

Most common colleges for fiber optic central office installers

Fiber optic central office installers often get their degrees at ECPI University, University of Iowa, and Kean University. Here are the most common colleges for fiber optic central office installers in the US based on their resumes.
Fiber optic central office installer common collegePercentages
ECPI University8.70%
University of Iowa8.70%
Kean University8.70%
University of Northern Colorado4.35%
Atlanta Campus of Herzing University4.35%

Best majors for fiber optic central office installers

Best colleges for fiber optic central office installers

The best colleges for fiber optic central office installers are Keene State College, SUNY College of Technology at Canton, and New York University.

A fiber optic central office installer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for fiber optic central office installers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become fiber optic central office installers.

1. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

2. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Ponce

Mercedita, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,914

Enrollment

4,155

3. Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$11,788

Enrollment

11,008

4. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Enrollment

4,169

20 best online courses for fiber optic central office installers

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1. Active Optical Devices

coursera

The courses in this specialization can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5605-5607, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree. Enroll here.\n\nThis Active Optical Devices specialization is designed to help you gain complete understanding of active optical devices by clearly defining and interconnecting the fundamental physical mechanisms, device design principles, and device performance. You will study and gain active experience with light emitting...

2. Optical Engineering

coursera

The courses in this specialization can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5600-5602, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree. Enroll here.\n\nOptical instruments are how we see the world, from corrective eyewear to medical endoscopes to cell phone cameras to orbiting telescopes. This course will teach you how to design such optical systems with simple graphical techniques, then transform those pencil and paper designs to include real optical components...

3. Introduction To Fiber Optic Cabling

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4.3
(2,759)

Welcome! This course is designed to give you a good understand of fiber optics and fiber data transmission...

4. IT network cabling: The complete fiber optics course

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4.5
(840)

Demystifying fiber optics, the fastest growing ICT network infrastructure sector one lesson at a time!...

5. Waves and Optics

coursera

This specialization is for learners who have completed a first-year university-level physics course and wants to continue their study. Through three courses, you will gain a foundation in waves and optics ranging from simple oscillators and waves in strings, to advanced diffraction effects of electromagnetic waves. With an entire semester of lectures and over 100 problems, this comprehensive specialization is similar in detail and rigor to what is taught in on-campus courses. It will thoroughly...

6. Design of High-Performance Optical Systems

coursera

This course can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5602, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree. Optical instruments are how we see the world, from corrective eyewear to medical endoscopes to cell phone cameras to orbiting telescopes. This course extends what you have learned about first-order, paraxial system design and optical resolution and efficiency with the introduction to real lenses and their imperfections. We begin with a description of how...

7. Optical Fiber Transmission Networks Using DWDM Technology

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4.5
(615)

All you require to start with DWDM Technology, fundamentals, components: Mux/Demux, ROADMS, Amplifiers, transponders etc...

8. Optical Fiber Access Networks Using PON/FTTH

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4.4
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All you need to know for getting started with FTTx Technology...

9. Python Optical Character Recognition using Pytorch

coursera

Note: The rhyme platform currently does not support webcams, so this is not a live project. This guided project is about optical character recognition using Pythorch, a Python library. This comes under the computer vision domain. While you are watching me code, you will get a cloud desktop with all the required software pre-installed. This will allow you to code along with me. After all, we learn best with active, hands-on learning. Note: This project works best for learners who are based in...

10. Network Installation Fundamentals

coursera

This online course, Network Installation Fundamentals, is your steppingstone to a rewarding career in network technology. By the end of this course, you will be able to understand basic network client management, explain the role of network connection media, and describe the role of virtualization in enterprise networking. Perfect for beginners with no experience, this course provides a comprehensive introduction to network installation, one of the most in-demand skills in the networking field...

11. Introduction To Telecom Networks: Fixed/Wireless Networks

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4.4
(364)

PSTN, Voice Over IP Systems (Softswitch, IMS), Internet, Mobile/cellular systems, Optical Fiber Systems (OFAN, DWDM)...

12. Learn about Transmission used in Telecom

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4.4
(508)

Get to know more about transmission medium and technologies used in telecom networks...

13. Office Productivity Software and Windows Fundamentals  

coursera

As the most used operating system in the world, Windows skills are crucial in today’s workplace. Knowledge of Windows and office productivity software is highly valued and makes you a desirable job candidate. In this mini-course, you will learn about fundamental Windows functions as well as the basics of office productivity software. You will go over file and folder management, app installation, the Control Panel, useful Windows apps, screenshots, and Windows tips and shortcuts. Throughout this...

14. SkillUp EdTech Office Productivity Software

coursera

Designed for learners of all experience levels, this program equips you with the essential skills needed to use the software tools utilized on a daily basis in office environments. Throughout the program, consisting of a series of mini-courses, you will delve into the different categories of office productivity software, discovering the popular applications within each category. To begin, you will gain a solid foundation in navigating the Windows desktop, managing files and folders, and...

15. Computer Hardware, Operating System and Networking

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4.1
(314)

For Any Graduates/Engineering/Diploma/Arts & Science/Freshers/Home Users/Individuals/Desktop Support/FM/Service Engineer...

16. MS Office Course Bundle- Word , Powerpoint , Excel & Outlook

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4.3
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MS Office Learn and Polish the Most Desirable Office Courses at work , MS Word , MS Excel , MS Powerpoint and MS Outlook...

17. Computer Vision: Python OCR & Object Detection Quick Starter

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4.5
(496)

Quick Starter for Optical Character Recognition, Image Recognition Object Detection and Object Recognition using Python...

18. Microsoft Office 365 Administration

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4.5
(2,676)

Microsoft Office 365 Administration...

19. Microsoft 70-346: Managing Office 365 Identities and Requ.

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4
(385)

Microsoft 70-346: Managing Office 365 Identities and Requirements...

20. Storage Area Network with Openfiler Linux

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4.3
(262)

Build storage area network accessed by different clients Linux windows vmware esxi redhat centos ubuntu...

Top 10 most affordable universities for fiber optic central office installers

The most affordable schools for fiber optic central office installers are Colegio Universitario de San Juan, abraham baldwin agricultural college, and inter american university of puerto rico barranquitas.

If the best universities for fiber optic central office installers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for fiber optic central office installers.

1. Colegio Universitario de San Juan

San Juan, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$2,370

Cost of attendance

5,810

2. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

Tifton, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$3,503

Cost of attendance

12,843

3. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Barranquitas

Barranquitas, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,902

Cost of attendance

13,479

4. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Cost of attendance

13,508

5. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Aguadilla

Aguadilla, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,902

Cost of attendance

13,284

6. National University College - Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$6,675

Cost of attendance

12,941

7. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Ponce

Mercedita, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,914

Cost of attendance

13,564

8. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Fajardo

Fajardo, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Cost of attendance

14,186

9. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Guayama

Guayama, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,902

Cost of attendance

13,893

10. Inter American University of Puerto Rico San German

San German, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Cost of attendance

14,322

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for fiber optic central office installers

The hardest universities for fiber optic central office installers to get into are Keene State College, SUNY College of Technology at Canton, and New York University.

Some great schools for fiber optic central office installers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for fiber optic central office installers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Keene State College

Keene, NH • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,053

2. SUNY College of Technology at Canton

Canton, NY • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

997

3. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

4. Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,070

5. Montana Technological University

Butte, MT • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,199

6. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

Tifton, GA • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,032

7. Arkansas State University

Jonesboro, AR • Private

Admissions rate

77%

SAT average

1,189

8. Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg, KS • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,150

9. University of Alaska Fairbanks

Fairbanks, AK • Private

Admissions rate

76%

SAT average

1,128

10. Eastern New Mexico University

Portales, NM • Private

Admissions rate

60%

SAT average

1,020

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for fiber optic central office installers

The easiest schools for fiber optic central office installers to get into are SUNY College of Technology at Canton, keene state college, and ferris state university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a fiber optic central office installer without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for fiber optic central office installers.

1. SUNY College of Technology at Canton

Canton, NY • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

997

2. Keene State College

Keene, NH • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,053

3. Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,070

4. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

Tifton, GA • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,032

5. Montana Technological University

Butte, MT • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,199

6. Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg, KS • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,150

7. Lewis-Clark State College

Lewiston, ID • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,009

8. Eastern New Mexico University

Portales, NM • Private

Admissions rate

60%

SAT average

1,020

9. Arkansas State University

Jonesboro, AR • Private

Admissions rate

77%

SAT average

1,189

10. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

Average fiber optic central office installer salary by education level

According to our data, fiber optic central office installers with a Associate degree earn the highest average salary, at $42,685 annually. Fiber optic central office installers with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $42,464.
Fiber optic central office installer education levelFiber optic central office installer salary
High School Diploma or Less$39,886
Bachelor's Degree$42,464
Some College/ Associate Degree$42,685

Fiber optic central office installer education FAQs

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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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