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Fiber optic central office installer vs fiber optic technician

The differences between fiber optic central office installers and fiber optic technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a fiber optic central office installer has an average salary of $40,855, which is higher than the $40,661 average annual salary of a fiber optic technician.

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 fiber optic technician are fiber optic cables, ladders, and power meters.

Fiber optic central office installer vs fiber optic technician overview

Fiber Optic Central Office InstallerFiber Optic Technician
Yearly salary$40,855$40,661
Hourly rate$19.64$19.55
Growth rate8%6%
Number of jobs48,663103,364
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 38%Associate Degree, 31%
Average age4545
Years of experience--

Fiber optic central office installer vs fiber optic technician salary

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

Fiber Optic Central Office InstallerFiber Optic Technician
Average salary$40,855$40,661
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $54,000Between $31,000 And $51,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between fiber optic central office installer and fiber optic technician education

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

Fiber Optic Central Office InstallerFiber Optic Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 38%Associate Degree, 31%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeNew York University-

Fiber optic central office installer vs fiber optic technician demographics

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

Fiber Optic Central Office InstallerFiber Optic Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 97.6% Female, 2.4%Male, 89.8% Female, 10.2%
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, 9.3% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 20.9% Asian, 3.3% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage6%4%

Differences between fiber optic central office installer and fiber optic 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.

Fiber optic technician example responsibilities.

  • DOT certify driver for bucket truck.
  • Install new ISP cable routes including inner duct and cabinets.
  • Install and maintain a tracking system using fiber optics, coax and Ethernet cables.
  • Install wireless access points throughout various facilities, climb poles and hang either ethernet cable or fiber-optic cable
  • Work with heavy duty equipment and small tools in the installation, repair and maintenance of OSP facilities.
  • Work with a small team of ISP providers to offer and install internet connections to homes and business.
  • Show more

Fiber optic central office installer vs fiber optic 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 fiber optic technician skills
  • Fiber Optic Cables, 28%
  • Ladders, 11%
  • Power Meters, 8%
  • Test Equipment, 7%
  • OTDR, 6%
  • RF, 3%

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