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Fiber optic central office installer vs cable technician

The differences between fiber optic central office installers and cable technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cable technician has an average salary of $47,289, which is higher than the $40,855 average annual salary of a fiber optic central office installer.

The top three skills for a fiber optic central office installer include fiber optic cables, test equipment and install fiber. The most important skills for a cable technician are broadband, customer service, and ladders.

Fiber optic central office installer vs cable technician overview

Fiber Optic Central Office InstallerCable Technician
Yearly salary$40,855$47,289
Hourly rate$19.64$22.74
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs48,663120,249
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 38%High School Diploma, 39%
Average age4545
Years of experience--

Fiber optic central office installer vs cable technician salary

Fiber optic central office installers and cable technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Fiber Optic Central Office InstallerCable Technician
Average salary$40,855$47,289
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $54,000Between $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 fiber optic central office installer and cable technician education

There are a few differences between a fiber optic central office installer and a cable technician in terms of educational background:

Fiber Optic Central Office InstallerCable Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 38%High School Diploma, 39%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringBusiness
Most common collegeNew York UniversityNew York University

Fiber optic central office installer vs cable technician demographics

Here are the differences between fiber optic central office installers' and cable technicians' demographics:

Fiber Optic Central Office InstallerCable Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 97.6% Female, 2.4%Male, 95.0% Female, 5.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.3% White, 56.9% 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 fiber optic central office installer and cable technician duties and responsibilities

Fiber optic central office installer example responsibilities.

  • Wire and test RJ45, both in UTP and STP as well as CAT5/5E and CAT6.
  • Help linemen with the installation of underground and ariel fiber optics.
  • Repair and install business and residential FiOS digital telephone, broadband internet, and high-definition television service.
  • Configure Cat6 cabling/wall jack terminations, testing voice/data line activity to confirm connections.

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

Fiber optic central office installer vs cable technician skills

Common fiber optic central office installer skills
  • Fiber Optic Cables, 35%
  • Test Equipment, 29%
  • Install Fiber, 10%
  • Cable Lines, 10%
  • CAT5, 9%
  • Patch Panels, 7%
Common cable technician skills
  • Broadband, 10%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Ladders, 9%
  • Hand Tools, 6%
  • Structured Cabling, 5%
  • TV, 5%

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