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Field installer vs communications technician

The differences between field installers and communications technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a communications technician has an average salary of $52,222, which is higher than the $41,668 average annual salary of a field installer.

The top three skills for a field installer include customer satisfaction, windows and ladders. The most important skills for a communications technician are customer service, rehabilitation, and hand tools.

Field installer vs communications technician overview

Field InstallerCommunications Technician
Yearly salary$41,668$52,222
Hourly rate$20.03$25.11
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs73,311125,698
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 33%Associate Degree, 35%
Average age4545
Years of experience--

Field installer vs communications technician salary

Field installers and communications technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Field InstallerCommunications Technician
Average salary$41,668$52,222
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $48,000Between $29,000 And $91,000
Highest paying CityAlbany, NYTualatin, OR
Highest paying stateAlaskaWashington
Best paying companyCrown EquipmentPacifi
Best paying industryRetailGovernment

Differences between field installer and communications technician education

There are a few differences between a field installer and a communications technician in terms of educational background:

Field InstallerCommunications Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 33%Associate Degree, 35%
Most common majorBusinessElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeNew York UniversityStanford University

Field installer vs communications technician demographics

Here are the differences between field installers' and communications technicians' demographics:

Field InstallerCommunications Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 95.1% Female, 4.9%Male, 83.9% Female, 16.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 6.4% White, 58.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 6.2% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between field installer and communications technician duties and responsibilities

Field installer example responsibilities.

  • Retrofit security wiring in residential and commercial settings.
  • General construction including electrical repairs and installation, plumbing repair and installation, drywall and basic carpentry.
  • Install expansion and control valves, using acetylene torches and wrenches.

Communications technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage and maintain communications for users on FMC's IBM SNA network.
  • Manage telecommunications installation and repair for hospital Nortel network.
  • Complete installs and ensure that they are up to code base on current NEC, NESC, and OSHA regulations.
  • Install and configure Cisco routers.
  • Perform installations of Safeway POS systems.
  • Test cable lines and equipment to NEC standards.
  • Show more

Field installer vs communications technician skills

Common field installer skills
  • Customer Satisfaction, 22%
  • Windows, 16%
  • Ladders, 8%
  • HVAC, 7%
  • PC, 6%
  • Safety Procedures, 5%
Common communications technician skills
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Rehabilitation, 9%
  • Hand Tools, 9%
  • Fiber Optic, 9%
  • Patch Panels, 5%
  • Telephone Systems, 4%

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