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Fiber optic technician vs cable puller

The differences between fiber optic technicians and cable pullers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a fiber optic technician has an average salary of $40,661, which is higher than the $39,121 average annual salary of a cable puller.

The top three skills for a fiber optic technician include fiber optic cables, ladders and power meters. The most important skills for a cable puller are structured cabling, cat-5, and electrical cables.

Fiber optic technician vs cable puller overview

Fiber Optic TechnicianCable Puller
Yearly salary$40,661$39,121
Hourly rate$19.55$18.81
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs103,3642,469
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 31%High School Diploma, 47%
Average age4545
Years of experience--

Fiber optic technician vs cable puller salary

Fiber optic technicians and cable pullers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Fiber Optic TechnicianCable Puller
Average salary$40,661$39,121
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $51,000Between $28,000 And $54,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between fiber optic technician and cable puller education

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

Fiber Optic TechnicianCable Puller
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 31%High School Diploma, 47%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringBusiness
Most common college--

Fiber optic technician vs cable puller demographics

Here are the differences between fiber optic technicians' and cable pullers' demographics:

Fiber Optic TechnicianCable Puller
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 89.8% Female, 10.2%Male, 92.4% Female, 7.6%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 21.3% Asian, 3.1% White, 57.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between fiber optic technician and cable puller duties and responsibilities

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

Cable puller example responsibilities.

  • Manage projects wiring computer networks and phone systems, using Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a and fiber optics.
  • Install j-hooks, ladder racks and cable tray.
  • Drop cables at end point, terminate cables with RJ45 jacks, test with tone probe tester.
  • Pull and terminate Cat5 and Cat6 cable.
  • Perform upgrades and troubleshoot software and hardware.
  • Put in taps for tv and internet.
  • Show more

Fiber optic technician vs cable puller skills

Common fiber optic technician skills
  • Fiber Optic Cables, 28%
  • Ladders, 11%
  • Power Meters, 8%
  • Test Equipment, 7%
  • OTDR, 6%
  • RF, 3%
Common cable puller skills
  • Structured Cabling, 10%
  • Cat-5, 9%
  • Electrical Cables, 9%
  • Test Equipment, 7%
  • VoIP, 5%
  • Patch Panels, 5%

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