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Lead cable technician vs communications technician

The differences between lead cable 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 $38,948 average annual salary of a lead cable technician.

The top three skills for a lead cable technician include structured cabling, fiber optic and backbone. The most important skills for a communications technician are customer service, rehabilitation, and hand tools.

Lead cable technician vs communications technician overview

Lead Cable TechnicianCommunications Technician
Yearly salary$38,948$52,222
Hourly rate$18.73$25.11
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs43,837125,698
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 34%Associate Degree, 35%
Average age4545
Years of experience--

Lead cable technician vs communications technician salary

Lead cable technicians and communications technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Lead Cable TechnicianCommunications Technician
Average salary$38,948$52,222
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $48,000Between $29,000 And $91,000
Highest paying City-Tualatin, OR
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Pacifi
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between lead cable technician and communications technician education

There are a few differences between a lead cable technician and a communications technician in terms of educational background:

Lead Cable TechnicianCommunications Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 34%Associate Degree, 35%
Most common majorBusinessElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeNew York UniversityStanford University

Lead cable technician vs communications technician demographics

Here are the differences between lead cable technicians' and communications technicians' demographics:

Lead Cable TechnicianCommunications Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 94.5% Female, 5.5%Male, 83.9% Female, 16.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 6.2% White, 57.4% 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 lead cable technician and communications technician duties and responsibilities

Lead cable technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage projects wiring computer networks and phone systems, using Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a and fiber optics.
  • Complete new construction of IDF's and restructuring of MDF.
  • Patch panel terminations as well as IDF & MDF cable dressing.
  • Voice over IP cabling for telephone communications.
  • Install new racks and bays in relocate MDF's.
  • Voice over IP cabling installs to provide computer networking and telephone communications.
  • 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

Lead cable technician vs communications technician skills

Common lead cable technician skills
  • Structured Cabling, 26%
  • Fiber Optic, 26%
  • Backbone, 11%
  • Ladders, 8%
  • IDF, 4%
  • Patch Panels, 3%
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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