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Network cable installer vs outside plant technician

The differences between network cable installers and outside plant technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an outside plant technician has an average salary of $42,451, which is higher than the $42,246 average annual salary of a network cable installer.

The top three skills for a network cable installer include fiber optic, patch panels and switches. The most important skills for an outside plant technician are ladders, outside plant, and CDL.

Network cable installer vs outside plant technician overview

Network Cable InstallerOutside Plant Technician
Yearly salary$42,246$42,451
Hourly rate$20.31$20.41
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs38,92167,234
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 34%Associate Degree, 38%
Average age4545
Years of experience--

Network cable installer vs outside plant technician salary

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

Network Cable InstallerOutside Plant Technician
Average salary$42,246$42,451
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $51,000Between $29,000 And $61,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between network cable installer and outside plant technician education

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

Network Cable InstallerOutside Plant Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 34%Associate Degree, 38%
Most common majorComputer Information SystemsElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeInter American University of Puerto Rico BayamonStanford University

Network cable installer vs outside plant technician demographics

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

Network Cable InstallerOutside Plant Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 97.4% Female, 2.6%Male, 96.8% Female, 3.2%
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, 14.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 6.2% White, 56.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between network cable installer and outside plant 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.

Outside plant technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage and administer documentation of OSP fiber optic plant in support of customer projects, network planning, and municipality requirements.
  • Move and/or lift items such as ladders, tools, air tanks, cable reels, and test equipment
  • Install residential and business telephone lines, including premise CAT5 wiring and jack work.
  • Perform construction work such as digging holes, installing inner duct in various types of conduit systems and open excavations.
  • Organize projects that include open excavations, placing cables, air pipes and inner duct in various types of conduit systems.
  • Install and repair T1 and T3 systems.
  • Show more

Network cable installer vs outside plant technician skills

Common network cable installer skills
  • Fiber Optic, 17%
  • Patch Panels, 8%
  • Switches, 8%
  • CAT5, 7%
  • Trouble Shoot, 5%
  • Test Results, 5%
Common outside plant technician skills
  • Ladders, 10%
  • Outside Plant, 10%
  • CDL, 8%
  • Test Equipment, 6%
  • Safety Procedures, 6%
  • OSHA, 5%

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