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Network cable installer vs central office technician

The differences between network cable installers and central office technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a network cable installer has an average salary of $42,246, which is higher than the $39,043 average annual salary of a central office technician.

The top three skills for a network cable installer include fiber optic, patch panels and switches. The most important skills for a central office technician are fiber optic cables, switches, and T1.

Network cable installer vs central office technician overview

Network Cable InstallerCentral Office Technician
Yearly salary$42,246$39,043
Hourly rate$20.31$18.77
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs38,92179,138
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 34%Associate Degree, 41%
Average age4545
Years of experience--

Network cable installer vs central office technician salary

Network cable installers and central office technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Network Cable InstallerCentral Office Technician
Average salary$42,246$39,043
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $51,000Between $24,000 And $63,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between network cable installer and central office technician education

There are a few differences between a network cable installer and a central office technician in terms of educational background:

Network Cable InstallerCentral Office Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 34%Associate Degree, 41%
Most common majorComputer Information SystemsElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeInter American University of Puerto Rico BayamonUniversity of Pennsylvania

Network cable installer vs central office technician demographics

Here are the differences between network cable installers' and central office technicians' demographics:

Network Cable InstallerCentral Office Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 97.4% Female, 2.6%Male, 79.5% Female, 20.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 6.2% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 7.3% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between network cable installer and central office technician duties and responsibilities

Network cable installer example responsibilities.

  • Install cat5 cable into schools and buisnesses using ladders.
  • Install coaxial and CAT5 cable used for voice and data in various buildings statewide.
  • Perform preventative maintenance, troubleshot breakdowns and repair malfunctioning HVAC systems and components; utilize measuring and testing instruments.
  • Install Fios which involve internet, phone and cable.

Central office technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage assigned Ericsson AXE patch upgrades and retrofits for all AXE sites.
  • Assist in managing CDMA network, Voice/EVDO circuit's layouts, CDM circuit inventory and roll over's for cell sites.
  • Install all Nortel DMS series equipment.
  • Operate power-meters, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, and various RF test equipment.
  • Install and troubleshoot telecommunications circuits and devices including legacy, asynchronous, SONET, and Ethernet equipment.
  • Associate duties include running cable, lacing, stitching, wire wrapping, mounting bays, etc.
  • Show more

Network cable installer vs central office technician skills

Common network cable installer skills
  • Fiber Optic, 17%
  • Patch Panels, 8%
  • Switches, 8%
  • CAT5, 7%
  • Trouble Shoot, 5%
  • Test Results, 5%
Common central office technician skills
  • Fiber Optic Cables, 8%
  • Switches, 7%
  • T1, 5%
  • Provisioning, 5%
  • DS3, 4%
  • IP, 4%

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