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The differences between structured cabling technicians and communications technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a communications technician has an average salary of $52,222, 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 communications technician are customer service, rehabilitation, and hand tools.
| Structured Cabling Technician | Communications Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $37,985 | $52,222 |
| Hourly rate | $18.26 | $25.11 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 89,739 | 125,698 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 31% | Associate Degree, 35% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
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.
A communications technician utilizes their expertise in electronics by diagnosing issues and repairing devices ranging from cellphones, laptops, tablets, and more. They are responsible for troubleshooting and discussing the extent of malfunction with clients. Technicians diagnose the root of the problem and determine which corrective measure to take. A communications technician may work independently or as a member of a company. Most of the time, they have to consult with the clients over the pricing and kind of repairs, and then offer replacement parts.
Structured cabling technicians and communications technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Structured Cabling Technician | Communications Technician | |
| Average salary | $37,985 | $52,222 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $58,000 | Between $29,000 And $91,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Tualatin, OR |
| Highest paying state | - | Washington |
| Best paying company | - | Pacifi |
| Best paying industry | - | Government |
There are a few differences between a structured cabling technician and a communications technician in terms of educational background:
| Structured Cabling Technician | Communications Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 31% | Associate Degree, 35% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between structured cabling technicians' and communications technicians' demographics:
| Structured Cabling Technician | Communications Technician | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.4% Female, 5.6% | Male, 83.9% Female, 16.1% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 13.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 6.2% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |