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The differences between relay technicians and fiber optic technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a relay technician has an average salary of $68,823, which is higher than the $40,661 average annual salary of a fiber optic technician.
The top three skills for a relay technician include transformers, SCADA and test equipment. The most important skills for a fiber optic technician are fiber optic cables, ladders, and power meters.
| Relay Technician | Fiber Optic Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $68,823 | $40,661 |
| Hourly rate | $33.09 | $19.55 |
| Growth rate | -1% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 57,914 | 103,364 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 43% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Average age | 37 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | - |
Relay technicians do relay maintenance and repairs in electrical power stations. The technicians repair circuit breakers, test various components, calibrate generators, and replace wires. They make sure that electricity is routed through the electrical station towards commercial or residential areas at the right voltage. They read electrical schematics and diagrams to learn the issues and utilize the information for the installation of new components. Skills needed for this job include communication, attention to detail, and electrical knowledge.
A fiber optic technician is someone who works with the optical cables and fibers used in communications data transmission. Fiber optic technicians fuse fibers together, install fiber cables, and splice fibers in buildings and beneath the ground. They take responsibility for fiber optic network installation and maintenance in schools, homes, businesses, and any other organizations. They identify the solutions to issues or problems to prevent fiber optic systems from their optimal performance.
Relay technicians and fiber optic technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Relay Technician | Fiber Optic Technician | |
| Average salary | $68,823 | $40,661 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $120,000 | Between $31,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | - |
| Highest paying state | - | - |
| Best paying company | - | - |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a relay technician and a fiber optic technician in terms of educational background:
| Relay Technician | Fiber Optic Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 43% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | New Mexico State University | - |
Here are the differences between relay technicians' and fiber optic technicians' demographics:
| Relay Technician | Fiber Optic Technician | |
| Average age | 37 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.5% Female, 7.5% | Male, 89.8% Female, 10.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.5% Unknown, 7.2% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 3.9% White, 69.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | 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 Percentage | 3% | 4% |