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Line installer-repairer vs fiber optic technician

The differences between line installer-repairers and fiber optic technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a line installer-repairer has an average salary of $55,431, which is higher than the $40,661 average annual salary of a fiber optic technician.

The top three skills for a line installer-repairer include hand tools, fiber optic and test results. The most important skills for a fiber optic technician are fiber optic cables, ladders, and power meters.

Line installer-repairer vs fiber optic technician overview

Line Installer-RepairerFiber Optic Technician
Yearly salary$55,431$40,661
Hourly rate$26.65$19.55
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs64,246103,364
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 42%Associate Degree, 31%
Average age4545
Years of experience--

Line installer-repairer vs fiber optic technician salary

Line installer-repairers and fiber optic technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Line Installer-RepairerFiber Optic Technician
Average salary$55,431$40,661
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $80,000Between $31,000 And $51,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between line installer-repairer and fiber optic technician education

There are a few differences between a line installer-repairer and a fiber optic technician in terms of educational background:

Line Installer-RepairerFiber Optic Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 42%Associate Degree, 31%
Most common majorAutomotive TechnologyElectrical Engineering
Most common college--

Line installer-repairer vs fiber optic technician demographics

Here are the differences between line installer-repairers' and fiber optic technicians' demographics:

Line Installer-RepairerFiber Optic Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 88.9% Female, 11.1%Male, 89.8% Female, 10.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 2.8% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 20.9% Asian, 3.3% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between line installer-repairer and fiber optic technician duties and responsibilities

Line installer-repairer example responsibilities.

  • Keep, organize and manage detail DPR's (daily progress reports) for self and crew.
  • Install underground cable outdoors to accommodate cable TV installation for commercial and residential facilities.
  • Programme computerized switches and switchboards to provide request features.

Fiber optic technician example responsibilities.

  • DOT certify driver for bucket truck.
  • Install new ISP cable routes including inner duct and cabinets.
  • Install and maintain a tracking system using fiber optics, coax and Ethernet cables.
  • Install wireless access points throughout various facilities, climb poles and hang either ethernet cable or fiber-optic cable
  • Work with heavy duty equipment and small tools in the installation, repair and maintenance of OSP facilities.
  • Work with a small team of ISP providers to offer and install internet connections to homes and business.
  • Show more

Line installer-repairer vs fiber optic technician skills

Common line installer-repairer skills
  • Hand Tools, 37%
  • Fiber Optic, 34%
  • Test Results, 29%
Common fiber optic technician skills
  • Fiber Optic Cables, 28%
  • Ladders, 11%
  • Power Meters, 8%
  • Test Equipment, 7%
  • OTDR, 6%
  • RF, 3%

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