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Network cable installer vs installation technician

The differences between network cable installers and installation 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 $38,043 average annual salary of an installation technician.

The top three skills for a network cable installer include fiber optic, patch panels and switches. The most important skills for an installation technician are customer service, ladders, and hand tools.

Network cable installer vs installation technician overview

Network Cable InstallerInstallation Technician
Yearly salary$42,246$38,043
Hourly rate$20.31$18.29
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs38,921129,534
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 34%High School Diploma, 32%
Average age4545
Years of experience--

Network cable installer vs installation technician salary

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

Network Cable InstallerInstallation Technician
Average salary$42,246$38,043
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $51,000Between $29,000 And $49,000
Highest paying City-Seattle, WA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Pella
Best paying industry-Finance

Differences between network cable installer and installation technician education

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

Network Cable InstallerInstallation Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 34%High School Diploma, 32%
Most common majorComputer Information SystemsElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeInter American University of Puerto Rico BayamonNew York University

Network cable installer vs installation technician demographics

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

Network Cable InstallerInstallation Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 97.4% Female, 2.6%Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4%
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, 12.4% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 6.3% White, 57.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between network cable installer and installation 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.

Installation technician example responsibilities.

  • Project manage the complete installation of power and floor space of Nortel wireless switches.
  • Install, manage, and troubleshoot CAT3, CAT5, CAT6, and fiber optic infrastructures throughout the greater Tulsa area.
  • Train to build and verify customer routers, TCP/IP addresses ad gateways.
  • Inspect buildings, interpret blueprints, and laid out cable lines for telephone, internet, and cable TV.
  • Install telecommunications equipment including fire-suppression systems, switches, routers, multiplexers and cable trays.
  • Switch include 25 DMS bays , 2 PDC's and all associate cables.
  • Show more

Network cable installer vs installation technician skills

Common network cable installer skills
  • Fiber Optic, 17%
  • Patch Panels, 8%
  • Switches, 8%
  • CAT5, 7%
  • Trouble Shoot, 5%
  • Test Results, 5%
Common installation technician skills
  • Customer Service, 19%
  • Ladders, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 8%
  • Work Ethic, 7%
  • Broadband, 5%
  • GPS, 5%

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