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Utility lineman vs fiber optic technician

The differences between utility linemen and fiber optic technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a utility lineman has an average salary of $69,220, which is higher than the $40,661 average annual salary of a fiber optic technician.

The top three skills for a utility lineman include electrical systems, line trucks and street lights. The most important skills for a fiber optic technician are fiber optic cables, ladders, and power meters.

Utility lineman vs fiber optic technician overview

Utility LinemanFiber Optic Technician
Yearly salary$69,220$40,661
Hourly rate$33.28$19.55
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs8,520103,364
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%Associate Degree, 31%
Average age4545
Years of experience--

Utility lineman vs fiber optic technician salary

Utility linemen and fiber optic technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Utility LinemanFiber Optic Technician
Average salary$69,220$40,661
Salary rangeBetween $49,000 And $95,000Between $31,000 And $51,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between utility lineman and fiber optic technician education

There are a few differences between a utility lineman and a fiber optic technician in terms of educational background:

Utility LinemanFiber Optic Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%Associate Degree, 31%
Most common majorElectrical Engineering TechnologyElectrical Engineering
Most common college--

Utility lineman vs fiber optic technician demographics

Here are the differences between utility linemen' and fiber optic technicians' demographics:

Utility LinemanFiber Optic Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 94.7% Female, 5.3%Male, 89.8% Female, 10.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 3.8% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 20.9% Asian, 3.3% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between utility lineman and fiber optic technician duties and responsibilities

Utility lineman example responsibilities.

  • Set up cranes at work location and establish a control access zone to prevent injury to others on the job site.
  • Used gaffs, ladders, and bucket trucks.
  • Have lineman skills of pole climbing with gaffs.
  • Edit, and maintain filing system for all engineer drawings utilizing AutoCAD.

Fiber optic technician example responsibilities.

  • DOT certify driver for bucket truck.
  • Install new ISP cable routes including inner duct and cabinets.
  • Install and maintain a tracking system using fiber optics, coax and Ethernet cables.
  • Install wireless access points throughout various facilities, climb poles and hang either ethernet cable or fiber-optic cable
  • Work with heavy duty equipment and small tools in the installation, repair and maintenance of OSP facilities.
  • Work with a small team of ISP providers to offer and install internet connections to homes and business.
  • Show more

Utility lineman vs fiber optic technician skills

Common utility lineman skills
  • Electrical Systems, 61%
  • Line Trucks, 27%
  • Street Lights, 6%
  • DOT, 6%
Common fiber optic technician skills
  • Fiber Optic Cables, 28%
  • Ladders, 11%
  • Power Meters, 8%
  • Test Equipment, 7%
  • OTDR, 6%
  • RF, 3%

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