Career comparison
Network Technician vs. Telecommunications Lineworker
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Network technicians earn more at the median ($76,220 vs. $74,330), while network technicians usually get to work faster (6 months–2 years of training). Network technicians install, monitor and troubleshoot the networks that connect computers and people. Telecommunications lineworkers build and repair the cables and fiber that carry internet, TV and phone.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Network Technician | Telecommunications Lineworker | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $76,220 ($36.64/hr) | $74,330 ($35.73/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $47,120 – $127,780 | $45,310 – $103,680 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +1.2% (slower than average) | -3.4% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 9,000 | 8,000 |
| Typical entry education | Associate's degree | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 6 months–2 years | 1–3 years |
| Key credential | CompTIA Network+ | Fiber Optic Association CFOT |
| Work setting | Technicians work in offices, data centers, wiring closets and network operations centers. | Lineworkers work outdoors at heights, in trenches and in vehicles, in all weather.. |
What each job does
Network Technician
- Install and configure network equipment
- Monitor network performance and alerts
- Troubleshoot connectivity problems
- Install and test network cabling
- Maintain network documentation
Telecommunications Lineworker
- Install aerial and underground cable
- Splice and test fiber optics
- Climb poles and use bucket trucks
- Repair damaged lines
- Install network equipment
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, teamwork, and high-pay. They sit in different fields, technology and energy & utilities, but share transferable skills such as problem solving and teamwork.
Which should you choose?
Choose network technician if…
- I like figuring out why things aren’t working
- I enjoy hands-on tech work
- I can stay calm during outages
Choose telecommunications lineworker if…
- I like working outdoors
- I’m comfortable at heights
- I want good pay without a degree
Still torn? Take the Network Technician fit quiz and the Telecommunications Lineworker fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, network technician or telecommunications lineworker?
Network Technicians earn more at the median: $76,220 versus $74,330 for telecommunications lineworkers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Network Technicians typically train faster (6 months–2 years) than telecommunications lineworkers (1–3 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects network technicians to grow +1.2% from 2025–35, compared with -3.4% for telecommunications lineworkers.