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The differences between fiber optic technicians and technicians 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 $38,045 average annual salary of a technician.
The top three skills for a fiber optic technician include fiber optic cables, ladders and power meters. The most important skills for a technician are patients, customer service, and patient care.
| Fiber Optic Technician | Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $40,661 | $38,045 |
| Hourly rate | $19.55 | $18.29 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 103,364 | 596,842 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | 2 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 31% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Average age | 45 | 40 |
| Years of experience | - | 2 |
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.
Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with. They are usually working with electricity or with technological advancements. Technicians may be assigned to do the construction of equipment or materials related to their field of study. They may also be assigned to conduct diagnostics and other maintenance activities to ensure that the equipment works properly. Technicians may also be required to conduct basic repairs in case of problems. It is important that technicians have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.
Fiber optic technicians and technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Fiber Optic Technician | Technician | |
| Average salary | $40,661 | $38,045 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $51,000 | Between $24,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | - | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | - | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a fiber optic technician and a technician in terms of educational background:
| Fiber Optic Technician | Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 31% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between fiber optic technicians' and technicians' demographics:
| Fiber Optic Technician | Technician | |
| Average age | 45 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 89.8% Female, 10.2% | Male, 75.2% Female, 24.8% |
| 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, 9.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 4.9% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 2% |