You’re thinking about a career as a cable technician, but you would like to know more about what the job entails. Well, if you’re already leaning in that direction, here are a few essential facts that should help to confirm your decision:

• Even though cable television and internet equipment have already been installed in most major residential areas, job growth for line installers and repairers, which includes cable technicians, is expected to be at 8% from 2016-2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• The median annual wage for cable installers was $38,780 as of March 2019.
• Some of the skills needed to become a cable technician will help to prepare you for jobs in other areas.

Now that you know some of the advantages of the career, this should lead to your next question:

What do cable technicians do?

Cable technicians are responsible for installing, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing a variety of residential and commercial voice and data cables. They could be servicing feeder lines that deliver cable access to several homes or working with drop lines that allow access for only one home.

Cable technicians in the advanced stages of their career often work on trunk lines, which are the main lines for an entire service area. Other duties for cable technicians might include laying ground cable, inspecting cable lines, repairing poles and towers, and driving work vehicles to the various job sites.

What are the typical requirements and qualifications for the position?

Cable technicians should have a high level of manual dexterity. A strong background in math and science is recommended. They need to be excellent communicators and should be able to solve most problems without supervision.

Here is a list of requirements from a recent job posting:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving history
• Communication skills that allow for successful collaboration with other members of the team
• Solid problem-solving capabilities
• Commitment to abide by OSHA and all other safety standards and procedures
• Ability to identify different colors and learn color codes
• Ability to work at heights and lift 50+ pounds
• Knowledge of industry-standard cable specifications
• Organized, reliable, and driven

Please note: The ideal candidate will be passionate about providing high-quality service and excited by complex problems and challenges.

Does this look like your kind of job?

We would be happy to help you get started. Contact the experts at Outsource. We are the largest staffing firm in the nation specializing in the placement of low voltage and electrical talent.