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The differences between fiber optic technicians and fiber optic splicers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a fiber optic splicer has an average salary of $44,077, which is higher than the $40,661 average annual salary of a fiber optic technician.
The top three skills for a fiber optic technician include fiber optic cables, ladders and power meters. The most important skills for a fiber optic splicer are hand tools, ladders, and OTDR.
| Fiber Optic Technician | Fiber Optic Splicer | |
| Yearly salary | $40,661 | $44,077 |
| Hourly rate | $19.55 | $21.19 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 103,364 | 64,017 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | 5 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 31% | High School Diploma, 32% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A fiber optic technician is someone who works with the optical cables and fibers used in communications data transmission. Fiber optic technicians fuse fibers together, install fiber cables, and splice fibers in buildings and beneath the ground. They take responsibility for fiber optic network installation and maintenance in schools, homes, businesses, and any other organizations. They identify the solutions to issues or problems to prevent fiber optic systems from their optimal performance.
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.
Fiber optic technicians and fiber optic splicers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Fiber Optic Technician | Fiber Optic Splicer | |
| Average salary | $40,661 | $44,077 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $51,000 | Between $28,000 And $67,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | - |
| Highest paying state | - | - |
| Best paying company | - | - |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a fiber optic technician and a fiber optic splicer in terms of educational background:
| Fiber Optic Technician | Fiber Optic Splicer | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 31% | High School Diploma, 32% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between fiber optic technicians' and fiber optic splicers' demographics:
| Fiber Optic Technician | Fiber Optic Splicer | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.8% Female, 10.2% | Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |