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Structured cabling technician vs broadband technician

The differences between structured cabling technicians and broadband technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a broadband technician has an average salary of $41,187, which is higher than the $37,985 average annual salary of a structured cabling technician.

The top three skills for a structured cabling technician include structured cabling, fiber optic and hand tools. The most important skills for a broadband technician are broadband, work ethic, and TV.

Structured cabling technician vs broadband technician overview

Structured Cabling TechnicianBroadband Technician
Yearly salary$37,985$41,187
Hourly rate$18.26$19.80
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs89,739108,109
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 31%Associate Degree, 34%
Average age4545
Years of experience--

What does a structured cabling technician do?

A structured cabling technician builds infrastructure for local area networks, wide area networks, and cable television networks. They visit clients' homes or offices to install cabling that supports infrastructure. They often work overtime, and they may be required to work in hazardous conditions.

What does a broadband technician do?

A broadband technician specializes in installing and maintaining telecommunication systems such as telephone lines, broadband internet, and cable television. Their job usually entails traveling to different residential areas or business establishments to perform on-site installations, inspections, or disconnections. They respond to issues and concerns, inspect systems for damages, troubleshoot problems, fix or replace components, and maintain records. Moreover, a broadband technician also assists clients by answering inquiries, providing cost estimates, educating the clients about the situation, or refer other products or services when necessary.

Structured cabling technician vs broadband technician salary

Structured cabling technicians and broadband technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Structured Cabling TechnicianBroadband Technician
Average salary$37,985$41,187
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $58,000Between $32,000 And $52,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between structured cabling technician and broadband technician education

There are a few differences between a structured cabling technician and a broadband technician in terms of educational background:

Structured Cabling TechnicianBroadband Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 31%Associate Degree, 34%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringBusiness
Most common collegeInter American University of Puerto Rico BayamonNew York University

Structured cabling technician vs broadband technician demographics

Here are the differences between structured cabling technicians' and broadband technicians' demographics:

Structured Cabling TechnicianBroadband Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 94.4% Female, 5.6%Male, 93.8% Female, 6.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 6.3% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 12.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 6.6% White, 58.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between structured cabling technician and broadband technician duties and responsibilities

Structured cabling technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage MDF for all incoming, outbound circuits, cross connects and patches
  • Install ladder racks, patch panels, switches, and cable management in communication closets.
  • Pull cable to IDF, and MDF closets.
  • Install telecom cables data, voice, and CCTV.
  • Hold certifications of NEC and OHSA.
  • Install structure cable CAT5 Cat6 cat6e fiber.
  • Show more

Broadband technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage telecommunications installation and repair for hospital Nortel network.
  • Audit cable lines and be in accordance to OSHA standards.
  • Respond to repair service calls to troubleshoot and resolve installation issues.
  • Install and configure communications racks with assort patch panels, routers, radios, and power assemblages.
  • Design homes and businesses up to 700 RF connections and 200 Ethernet connections plus large scale 80211 (Wi-Fi).
  • Work with coax and ethernet phone lines.
  • Show more

Structured cabling technician vs broadband technician skills

Common structured cabling technician skills
  • Structured Cabling, 15%
  • Fiber Optic, 10%
  • Hand Tools, 9%
  • Ladders, 8%
  • OSHA, 6%
  • Test Equipment, 5%
Common broadband technician skills
  • Broadband, 22%
  • Work Ethic, 7%
  • TV, 7%
  • Ladders, 5%
  • Electronic Devices, 5%
  • OSHA, 4%

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