🔧 Skilled Trades ↑ 4% growth · Average

Cable TV / Broadband Installer

Cable and broadband installers connect homes and businesses to internet, TV, and phone services — a role that's more important than ever as remote work drives broadband demand. Entry requirements are low, and the work offers driving variety, customer interaction, and solid pay.

$42,000 Median Salary

162K US Jobs

4–12 weeks Training

$0–$1,000 Typical Cost

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💰 Salary & Earning Potential

Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Figures represent national averages — local wages vary by state, city, and employer.

Entry-level cable installers typically earn $18–$24 per hour, with experienced residential technicians earning $25–$35 per hour. Commercial cable and low-voltage technicians with fiber splicing or structured cabling expertise earn $35–$50 per hour. IBEW-represented telecommunications technicians at major carriers receive the highest wages and benefit packages. Technicians who pursue BICSI certification or fiber optic technician credentials command meaningful salary premiums. Annual earnings for experienced telecom technicians commonly reach $55,000–$85,000, with overtime during network buildout projects adding significantly to total compensation.

Entry Level

$32,000

Median

$42,000

Experienced

$58,000

Want your state's salary? Select a state below to see local wage data, demand, and training programs.

📈 Job Outlook

Projected Growth (10yr)

Average

162K

Total US Jobs

Active positions nationwide

SCTE Certification

Required Credential

SCTE Certification (optional) + Company Training

Cable and telecommunications installation and repair positions are evolving with fiber optic buildout accelerating across the country. Providers including Comcast, Charter, and AT&T are investing heavily in fiber-to-the-home networks, driving demand for technicians who can splice fiber, install ONTs, and provision fiber-based services. Wireless broadband and 5G small cell installation is also growing. While traditional coaxial cable installation is mature, the fiber transition and ongoing broadband expansion — particularly in rural America through government-funded programs — is sustaining strong overall technician demand for the next decade.

🎓 Training & Education

Typical Program

Company Training / Vocational Certificate

Program Length

4–12 weeks

Typical Tuition

$0–$1,000

Work Setting

Residential homes, businesses, utility poles

Cable installers typically receive on-the-job training provided by the employer, starting with basic coaxial installation techniques and advancing to more complex signal troubleshooting and fiber optic work. Community college programs in electronics technology or telecommunications provide foundational theory that accelerates advancement. SCTE-ISBE offers professional certifications in broadband technology that are recognized by major MSOs and telecom employers. Fiber optic technician certifications from FOA (Fiber Optic Association) validate splicing and testing skills increasingly required as fiber networks expand. A valid driver's license and clean driving record are required for all field technician positions.

🏆 Credential Required: SCTE Certification (optional) + Company Training

☀️ Day in the Life

A Cable Installer reviews the day's work orders — a new residential internet installation, a business HDTV upgrade, and a cable signal troubleshooting call — and loads the service van with coaxial cable, connectors, splitters, amplifiers, cable boxes, and hand tools. At the residential install, they run coax from the utility pedestal through the exterior wall into a central location, test signal strength with a meter, install and activate the cable modem, and verify internet speeds before the customer signs off. At the troubleshooting call, they trace degraded signal using a digital signal meter, identify a corroded connector at the ground block, replace it, and recheck signal levels at each outlet. Business installations involve structured wiring through drop ceilings, proper labeling of cable runs, and configuration of business-grade equipment. Driving between jobs, managing customer expectations, and completing digital job documentation on a mobile device fill the remaining hours.

⚖️ Pros & Cons

Pros

Strong demand from fiber network expansion: Massive broadband infrastructure investment is driving sustained hiring for technicians who can install fiber-based services.
No college degree required: Employer-provided training and industry certifications provide the credential pathway without requiring postsecondary education.
Independent field work without supervisor oversight: Cable technicians work autonomously on assigned jobs, managing their route and customer interactions independently.
Transferable skills to higher-paying telecom work: Foundational cable installation experience provides a stepping stone to fiber splicing, commercial low-voltage, and structured cabling roles at higher wages.
Consistent residential and commercial demand: As long as consumers subscribe to internet and cable services, installation and maintenance technicians will be needed.

Cons

Attic and crawl space work in extreme conditions: Running cable in hot attics, cold crawl spaces, and tight wall cavities is physically demanding and uncomfortable.
Customer service pressure with daily performance metrics: Technicians are evaluated on customer satisfaction scores and job completion metrics that create daily performance pressure.
Driving hazards and road time: Spending 4–6 hours per day driving a service vehicle in traffic creates accident exposure and fatigue over a career.
On-call rotation for outage response: Many technicians participate in on-call rotations for network outages, disrupting personal time during evenings and weekends.