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Structured cabling technician vs tower technician

The differences between structured cabling technicians and tower technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a structured cabling technician has an average salary of $37,985, which is higher than the $37,471 average annual salary of a tower technician.

The top three skills for a structured cabling technician include structured cabling, fiber optic and hand tools. The most important skills for a tower technician are OSHA, CPR, and RF.

Structured cabling technician vs tower technician overview

Structured Cabling TechnicianTower Technician
Yearly salary$37,985$37,471
Hourly rate$18.26$18.01
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs89,73992,566
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 31%High School Diploma, 41%
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 tower technician do?

A tower technician is responsible for maintaining the performance stability of line towers to provide the best network services for the customers. Tower technicians are often out in the field to conduct repairs and installations for the customers, inspecting the area's condition, and reporting structural inconsistencies and defects. They should have excellent mechanical and electrical knowledge to resolve issues immediately and create resolution manuals to prevent reoccurrence and ensure the safeness and security of line towers.

Structured cabling technician vs tower technician salary

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

Structured Cabling TechnicianTower Technician
Average salary$37,985$37,471
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $58,000Between $29,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City-Seattle, WA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-SPX
Best paying industry-Construction

Differences between structured cabling technician and tower technician education

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

Structured Cabling TechnicianTower Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 31%High School Diploma, 41%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringBusiness
Most common collegeInter American University of Puerto Rico BayamonNew York University

Structured cabling technician vs tower technician demographics

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

Structured Cabling TechnicianTower Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 94.4% Female, 5.6%Male, 96.9% Female, 3.1%
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, 11.8% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.3% White, 57.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between structured cabling technician and tower 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

Tower technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage and make critical decisions in accordance with regulations for access and scheduling for certain private and federal FAA sites.
  • Hang and connect antenna's and TMA's.
  • Install grind rods and cad weld to form grind ring.
  • Complete several CPR and safety courses.
  • Remove old antennas and install new LTE antennas.
  • Get materials together, climb and rig towers.
  • Show more

Structured cabling technician vs tower technician skills

Common structured cabling technician skills
  • Structured Cabling, 15%
  • Fiber Optic, 10%
  • Hand Tools, 9%
  • Ladders, 8%
  • OSHA, 6%
  • Test Equipment, 5%
Common tower technician skills
  • OSHA, 17%
  • CPR, 15%
  • RF, 14%
  • Hand Tools, 8%
  • Safety Procedures, 5%
  • PIM, 4%

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