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.
Installation and repair technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real installation and repair technician resumes:
- 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.
- Assist customers with initial PC configuration.
- Repair, move and install PC and telephone system hardware/equipment
- Evaluate customers' broadband needs and suggest additional/alternative service as appropriate.
- Perfect knowledge of installation and repair procedures for television cable networking and internet broadband.
- Provide rehabilitation to adults with severe/profound developmental disabilities.
- Repair and install PVC pipe, welding water pipe.
- Install slave PVC pipe for refrigerant pipe line protector insulation2 . )
- Install DC electric power systems.
- Work as a contractor for MFS/WORLDCOM's central office in Washington DC.
Installation and repair technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 21% of Installation And Repair Technicians are proficient in Ladders, Test Equipment, and Crawl Spaces. They’re also known for soft skills such as Color vision, Mechanical skills, and Dexterity.
We break down the percentage of Installation And Repair Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Ladders, 21%
Use of pole climbing skills and extension ladders were also required on a daily basis.
- Test Equipment, 15%
Diagnose, isolate and repair aerial and buried transmission facilities utilizing signal analysis test equipment.
- Crawl Spaces, 15%
Can work within limited confines such as crawl spaces and attics.
- Hand Tools, 9%
Install communication equipment, such as intercommunication systems and related apparatus using schematic diagrams, testing devices and hand tools.
- DSL, 9%
General Responsibilities include installing, maintaining and Troubleshooting DSL, voice and data service delivered via copper or fiber optic Cables.
- Little Supervision, 4%
Managed work with little supervision.
Common skills that an installation and repair technician uses to do their job include "ladders," "test equipment," and "crawl spaces." You can find details on the most important installation and repair technician responsibilities below.
Color vision. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an installation and repair technician to have is color vision. Their role and responsibilities require that "telecom technicians work with color-coded wires, and they need to be able to tell them apart." Installation and repair technicians often use color vision in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "corrected or defined customer and cable related problems such as faulty line extenders, amp modules, taps and televisions. "
Mechanical skills. Many installation and repair technician duties rely on mechanical skills. "telecom technicians must be familiar with the devices they install and repair, with their internal parts, and with the appropriate tools needed to use, install, or fix them," so an installation and repair technician will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways installation and repair technician responsibilities rely on mechanical skills: "splice cables, using hand tools, color coding, and mechanical equipment. "
Dexterity. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of installation and repair technicians is dexterity. This skill is critical to many everyday installation and repair technician duties, as "telecom technicians’ tasks, such as repairing small devices, connecting components, and using hand tools, require a steady hand and good hand–eye coordination." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "operated hydraulic aerial lifts (buckets) and ladders mounted on trucks. "
Customer-service skills. installation and repair technician responsibilities often require "customer-service skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "telecom technicians who work in customers’ homes and offices should be friendly and polite." This resume example shows what installation and repair technicians do with customer-service skills on a typical day: "service or repair telephones and other communication equipment on customers' property. "
Troubleshooting skills. Another common skill required for installation and repair technician responsibilities is "troubleshooting skills." This skill comes up in the duties of installation and repair technicians all the time, as "telecom technicians must be able to troubleshoot and devise solutions to problems that are not immediately apparent." An excerpt from a real installation and repair technician resume shows how this skill is central to what an installation and repair technician does: "provide professional service in customer's dwellings while installing and or troubleshooting and repairing cable tv and broadband services. "
The three companies that hire the most installation and repair technicians are:
- Mercury Z
39 installation and repair technicians jobs
- Ledcor21 installation and repair technicians jobs
- Clearwave18 installation and repair technicians jobs
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Installation and repair technician vs. Tower hand
A tower hand is an individual who climbs towers or poles to install, repair, and perform routine maintenance on electrical equipment. Tower hands are required to climb up very tall structures to perform maintenance on equipment such as power lines, cell tower components, or radio antenna equipment. They must perform audits on their climbing equipment so that they can determine the quality of their equipment as well as avoid defects. Tower hands must be competent climbers so that they can safely climb towers while carrying heavy equipment.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between installation and repair technicians and tower hand. For instance, installation and repair technician responsibilities require skills such as "ladders," "test equipment," "crawl spaces," and "dsl." Whereas a tower hand is skilled in "cpr," "osha," "demolition," and "transmission lines." This is part of what separates the two careers.
The education levels that tower hands earn slightly differ from installation and repair technicians. In particular, tower hands are 2.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an installation and repair technician. Additionally, they're 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Installation and repair technician vs. Systems installer
A cable installer installs and maintains telecommunication systems and equipment such as telephone lines, cable television, or internet services at homes or commercial areas. In some companies, a cable installer may also handle complaints and concerns, conduct inspections, troubleshoot problems, and fix or replace components when necessary. Their job often requires them to climb up poles or even towers to attach or repair wires, and there are times when they may perform adjustments or even disconnections. They may also assist clients by answering inquiries, providing instructions, or referring them to other services when necessary.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real installation and repair technician resumes. While installation and repair technician responsibilities can utilize skills like "ladders," "crawl spaces," "hand tools," and "dsl," systems installers use skills like "telephone systems," "fiber optic cables," "fire alarms," and "system installation."
Systems installers may earn a lower salary than installation and repair technicians, but systems installers earn the most pay in the telecommunication industry with an average salary of $52,453. On the other hand, installation and repair technicians receive higher pay in the utilities industry, where they earn an average salary of $52,512.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Systems installers tend to reach similar levels of education than installation and repair technicians. In fact, they're 1.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Installation and repair technician vs. Cable installer
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.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, installation and repair technicians are more likely to have skills like "test equipment," "hand tools," "dsl," and "little supervision." But a cable installer is more likely to have skills like "tv," "fiber optic cables," "trouble calls," and "cat-5."
Cable installers earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $43,049. Installation and repair technicians earn the highest pay from the utilities industry, with an average salary of $52,512.cable installers typically earn similar educational levels compared to installation and repair technicians. Specifically, they're 1.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Installation and repair technician vs. Technician
Even though a few skill sets overlap between installation and repair technicians and technicians, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an installation and repair technician might have more use for skills like "ladders," "crawl spaces," "dsl," and "little supervision." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of technicians require skills like "patients," "patient care," "diagnosis," and "safety procedures. "
Technicians enjoy the best pay in the telecommunication industry, with an average salary of $46,660. For comparison, installation and repair technicians earn the highest salary in the utilities industry.technicians reach similar levels of education compared to installation and repair technicians, in general. The difference is that they're 0.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of installation and repair technician
Updated January 8, 2025











