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Switch technician vs communications technician

The differences between switch technicians and communications 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 $52,222 average annual salary of a communications technician.

The top three skills for a switch technician include switches, routine maintenance and T1. The most important skills for a communications technician are customer service, rehabilitation, and hand tools.

Switch technician vs communications technician overview

Switch TechnicianCommunications Technician
Yearly salary$101,377$52,222
Hourly rate$48.74$25.11
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs46,430125,698
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 42%Associate Degree, 35%
Average age4545
Years of experience--

Switch technician vs communications technician salary

Switch technicians and communications technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Switch TechnicianCommunications Technician
Average salary$101,377$52,222
Salary rangeBetween $76,000 And $134,000Between $29,000 And $91,000
Highest paying City-Tualatin, OR
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Pacifi
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between switch technician and communications technician education

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

Switch TechnicianCommunications Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 42%Associate Degree, 35%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeInter American University of Puerto Rico BayamonStanford University

Switch technician vs communications technician demographics

Here are the differences between switch technicians' and communications technicians' demographics:

Switch TechnicianCommunications Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 88.6% Female, 11.4%Male, 83.9% Female, 16.1%
Race ratioBlack 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%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 Percentage6%6%

Differences between switch technician and communications technician duties and responsibilities

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

Communications technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage and maintain communications for users on FMC's IBM SNA network.
  • Manage telecommunications installation and repair for hospital Nortel network.
  • Complete installs and ensure that they are up to code base on current NEC, NESC, and OSHA regulations.
  • Install and configure Cisco routers.
  • Perform installations of Safeway POS systems.
  • Test cable lines and equipment to NEC standards.
  • Show more

Switch technician vs communications technician skills

Common switch technician skills
  • Switches, 9%
  • Routine Maintenance, 7%
  • T1, 7%
  • RF, 6%
  • Technical Support, 4%
  • Trouble Tickets, 4%
Common communications technician skills
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Rehabilitation, 9%
  • Hand Tools, 9%
  • Fiber Optic, 9%
  • Patch Panels, 5%
  • Telephone Systems, 4%

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