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The differences between fiber optic splicers 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 $44,077 average annual salary of a fiber optic splicer.
The top three skills for a fiber optic splicer include hand tools, ladders and OTDR. The most important skills for a cable technician are broadband, customer service, and ladders.
| Fiber Optic Splicer | Cable Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $44,077 | $47,289 |
| Hourly rate | $21.19 | $22.74 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 64,017 | 120,249 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 32% | High School Diploma, 39% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A fiber optic splicer specializes in installing and repairing fiber optic cables in telecommunication lines. Among their responsibilities include providing customer assistance by answering inquiries, troubleshooting problems, implementing systems, and assisting customers in setting up their devices. There are also instances where they must install cable lines, work together with construction crews and linemen, and perform maintenance checks. Moreover, a fiber optic splicer typically works with a team, which requires an active communication line for a safe and efficient workflow.
A cable technician is responsible for managing cable systems, installing cable equipment, upgrading network systems, and troubleshooting cable issues. Cable technicians' duties include replacing defective cabling, running diagnostic tests on newly-installed cable systems, inspecting cable towers and ground cables, providing cable instructions to the customer, responding to customer's cable inquiries and requests, and ensuring the safety of cable structures. A cable technician must have a strong understanding of electrical systems and cable technology, following the established procedures and environmental policies.
Fiber optic splicers and cable technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Fiber Optic Splicer | Cable Technician | |
| Average salary | $44,077 | $47,289 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $67,000 | Between $34,000 And $64,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Jackson, NJ |
| Highest paying state | - | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | - | Baker Hughes |
| Best paying industry | - | Media |
There are a few differences between a fiber optic splicer and a cable technician in terms of educational background:
| Fiber Optic Splicer | Cable Technician | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 32% | High School Diploma, 39% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | New York University |
Here are the differences between fiber optic splicers' and cable technicians' demographics:
| Fiber Optic Splicer | Cable Technician | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0% | Male, 95.0% Female, 5.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 4.0% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | 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 Percentage | 4% | 6% |