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Field installer vs switch technician

The differences between field installers and switch technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a switch technician has an average salary of $101,377, 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 switch technician are switches, routine maintenance, and T1.

Field installer vs switch technician overview

Field InstallerSwitch Technician
Yearly salary$41,668$101,377
Hourly rate$20.03$48.74
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs73,31146,430
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 33%Associate Degree, 42%
Average age4545
Years of experience--

Field installer vs switch technician salary

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

Field InstallerSwitch Technician
Average salary$41,668$101,377
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $48,000Between $76,000 And $134,000
Highest paying CityAlbany, NY-
Highest paying stateAlaska-
Best paying companyCrown Equipment-
Best paying industryRetail-

Differences between field installer and switch technician education

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

Field InstallerSwitch Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 33%Associate Degree, 42%
Most common majorBusinessElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeNew York UniversityInter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Field installer vs switch technician demographics

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

Field InstallerSwitch Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 95.1% Female, 4.9%Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4%
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, 12.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 6.3% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between field installer and switch 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.

Switch technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage LAN as an administrator for NATO HQ network.
  • Assist in managing CDMA network, Voice/EVDO circuit's layouts, CDM circuit inventory and roll over's for cell sites.
  • Configure Veraz switch for TDM and IP services.
  • Coordinate installation, testing, and troubleshooting of transmission facilities (OC48, T3, T1, and DSO).
  • Work with management team to develop a comprehensive and successful IP and TDM base network infrastructure and unify communications plan.
  • Circuit switching (DMS-250 and Alcatel DEX-600E).
  • Show more

Field installer vs switch technician skills

Common field installer skills
  • Customer Satisfaction, 22%
  • Windows, 16%
  • Ladders, 8%
  • HVAC, 7%
  • PC, 6%
  • Safety Procedures, 5%
Common switch technician skills
  • Switches, 9%
  • Routine Maintenance, 7%
  • T1, 7%
  • RF, 6%
  • Technical Support, 4%
  • Trouble Tickets, 4%

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