Compare A Fiber Optic Technician ↔ B Structured Cabling Technician
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1 move
No pay difference shown for this route: no single published pay schedule names every stop, and the occupation medians are not like for like on every move.
Gates on this route
- Move 1, to Structured Cabling Technician: no degree, license or hours gate found (O*NET 31.0 and the licensing agencies checked for this job).
Move 1 Transfer move to the side
Fiber Optic Technician to Structured Cabling Technician
- Same O*NET occupation (49-9052.00 Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers): O*NET lists both job titles under it; same tasks and skills data.
- Gates checked: no degree, license or hours gate found (O*NET 31.0 and the licensing agencies checked for this job).
Side by side
More than 40 hours a week: Structured Cabling Technician 30%, Fiber Optic Technician 30%.
Occupation-wide pay all experience levels, not this level's pay; Texas median, base pay, $0 to $300k
No published schedule lists both rungs. Both roles fall under OEWS SOC 49-9052; OEWS does not split pay by level, so an occupation-wide difference would read $0.
Outlook 2024 to 2034 whole occupation
A +4.3% Texas, 810 openings a year
B +4.3% Texas, 810 openings a year
Over 40 h a week
Physical load our index from O*NET, 1 to 5; A B; largest differences first
3.5 / 5+0.03.5 / 5
- Outdoors, all weather+0.00Outdoors, all weather: A 4.95, B 4.95
- Very hot or cold+0.00Very hot or cold: A 4.43, B 4.43
- Cramped space+0.00Cramped space: A 3.57, B 3.57
- High places+0.00High places: A 3.48, B 3.48
- Hazardous conditions+0.00Hazardous conditions: A 2.54, B 2.54
Degree
A Most people in this job do not hold a bachelor's degree (O*NET: 2% do).
B Most people in this job do not hold a bachelor's degree (O*NET: 2% do).
License
A No TDLR electrician license for fiber, cabling and communications circuits (1305.003(a)(12)). Alarm or access control work may need a DPS license: not checked (site unreachable 2026-10-03).
B No TDLR electrician license for fiber, cabling and communications circuits (1305.003(a)(12)). Alarm or access control work may need a DPS license: not checked (site unreachable 2026-10-03).
Experience
A Most common related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years (O*NET: 29%).
B Most common related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years (O*NET: 29%).
Skills O*NET importance, 1 to 5
You likely have: 6
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Quality Control Analysis
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Coordination
To build: 0
Make this your goal
Save Fiber Optic Technician to Structured Cabling Technician as your goal. Each step then shows the hours you have logged toward it, your exam practice and your license, with the one thing to do next. Free with an account.
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