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Structured cabling technician vs switch technician

The differences between structured cabling technicians and switch technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a switch technician has an average salary of $101,377, 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 switch technician are switches, routine maintenance, and T1.

Structured cabling technician vs switch technician overview

Structured Cabling TechnicianSwitch Technician
Yearly salary$37,985$101,377
Hourly rate$18.26$48.74
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs89,73946,430
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 31%Associate Degree, 42%
Average age4545
Years of experience--

Structured cabling technician vs switch technician salary

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

Structured Cabling TechnicianSwitch Technician
Average salary$37,985$101,377
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $58,000Between $76,000 And $134,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between structured cabling technician and switch technician education

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

Structured Cabling TechnicianSwitch Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 31%Associate Degree, 42%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeInter American University of Puerto Rico BayamonInter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Structured cabling technician vs switch technician demographics

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

Structured Cabling TechnicianSwitch Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 94.4% Female, 5.6%Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4%
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, 12.5% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 6.3% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between structured cabling technician and switch 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

Switch technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage LAN as an administrator for NATO HQ network.
  • Assist in managing CDMA network, Voice/EVDO circuit's layouts, CDM circuit inventory and roll over's for cell sites.
  • Configure Veraz switch for TDM and IP services.
  • Coordinate installation, testing, and troubleshooting of transmission facilities (OC48, T3, T1, and DSO).
  • Work with management team to develop a comprehensive and successful IP and TDM base network infrastructure and unify communications plan.
  • Circuit switching (DMS-250 and Alcatel DEX-600E).
  • Show more

Structured cabling technician vs switch technician skills

Common structured cabling technician skills
  • Structured Cabling, 15%
  • Fiber Optic, 10%
  • Hand Tools, 9%
  • Ladders, 8%
  • OSHA, 6%
  • Test Equipment, 5%
Common switch technician skills
  • Switches, 9%
  • Routine Maintenance, 7%
  • T1, 7%
  • RF, 6%
  • Technical Support, 4%
  • Trouble Tickets, 4%

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