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Installation and repair technician vs communications technician

The differences between installation and repair technicians 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 $40,984 average annual salary of an installation and repair technician.

The top three skills for an installation and repair technician include ladders, test equipment and crawl spaces. The most important skills for a communications technician are customer service, rehabilitation, and hand tools.

Installation and repair technician vs communications technician overview

Installation And Repair TechnicianCommunications Technician
Yearly salary$40,984$52,222
Hourly rate$19.70$25.11
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs119,695125,698
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 34%Associate Degree, 35%
Average age4545
Years of experience--

What does an installation and repair technician do?

An Installation and Repair Technician specializes in installing and repairing equipment and systems in establishments and homes. It is their responsibility to communicate and meet with clients to identify their needs, assess installation areas, implement tests, inspect damages or defects, troubleshoot problems, and perform corrective measures as needed. They may also recommend practices, provide instructions, maintain the cleanliness of work areas, and refer clients to other services should the case require. They must also keep records of transactions and maintain an active communication line with co-workers for an efficient workflow.

What does a communications technician do?

A communications technician utilizes their expertise in electronics by diagnosing issues and repairing devices ranging from cellphones, laptops, tablets, and more. They are responsible for troubleshooting and discussing the extent of malfunction with clients. Technicians diagnose the root of the problem and determine which corrective measure to take. A communications technician may work independently or as a member of a company. Most of the time, they have to consult with the clients over the pricing and kind of repairs, and then offer replacement parts.

Installation and repair technician vs communications technician salary

Installation and repair technicians and communications technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Installation And Repair TechnicianCommunications Technician
Average salary$40,984$52,222
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $66,000Between $29,000 And $91,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCTualatin, OR
Highest paying stateConnecticutWashington
Best paying companyFlorida Power & LightPacifi
Best paying industryUtilitiesGovernment

Differences between installation and repair technician and communications technician education

There are a few differences between an installation and repair technician and a communications technician in terms of educational background:

Installation And Repair TechnicianCommunications Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 34%Associate Degree, 35%
Most common majorBusinessElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeNew York UniversityStanford University

Installation and repair technician vs communications technician demographics

Here are the differences between installation and repair technicians' and communications technicians' demographics:

Installation And Repair TechnicianCommunications Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 95.9% Female, 4.1%Male, 83.9% Female, 16.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 6.3% White, 58.6% 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 installation and repair technician and communications technician duties and responsibilities

Installation and repair technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage telecommunications installation and repair for hospital Nortel network.
  • Attend and run disaster recovery tests.
  • Repair and service customer voice/data systems, VoIP phone systems, and backbone networks.
  • Install the ONT hardware, run coax cable and terminate all connections at the customer premise.
  • Climb ladders to install, replace, or remove hardware on roof tops in all types of weather conditions.
  • Assist with the configuration, testing and display of the VoIP system to the senior leaders of the military.
  • Show more

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

Installation and repair technician vs communications technician skills

Common installation and repair technician skills
  • Ladders, 21%
  • Test Equipment, 15%
  • Crawl Spaces, 15%
  • Hand Tools, 9%
  • DSL, 9%
  • Little Supervision, 4%
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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