Cable TV Lineman Job Description
Cable TV linemen install and repair wires and cables to provide customers with cable television service. Cable TV linemen perform tasks similar to linemen who install electrical, telephone, Internet and video lines. The work requires splicing numerous wires together in cables using hand tools and epoxy. The repairs must be sealed with moisture-proof material to protect the cables.
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Background
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The boom of cable television in the 1970s created jobs that expanded beyond the traditional landline telephone work. The industry thrived and with advances in telecommunications technology, cable TV linemen in the early 2000s were installing fiber optics as telecommunications companies made the transition from older conventional wiring and cables. The growth of jobs was expected to be about 6 percent through 2016 due to a steady demand for telecommunication services. Yet businesses and residences are slowly shifting to wireless technology, which will slow the job growth, according to etgiftstore.com.
Duties
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Cable TV linemen install and maintain cable television lines for commercial and residential users. Once the lines are installed, the linemen will periodically maintain them. These lines also provide telephone and Internet services to customers. Linemen also erect utility towers and poles, dig underground trenches, and lay the wires and cables underground. They are required to use heavy equipment, including trenchers, borers, cable plows and digger derricks. Workers also use hydraulic tools to secure the cables. They also connect wiring to residences and check connections with voltage readings.
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Education and Skills Set
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Cable TV linemen must have a high school diploma or a GED. Employees should have a basic understanding of trigonometry and algebra. They should be competent in reading and writing. Employers prefer workers with a general knowledge of electronics. Vocational training from community colleges or the military is preferred. Many cable TV linemen serve a formal apprenticeship. Linemen must be problem-solvers, mechanically inclined, and like working with new technology. Interpersonal skills are critical when dealing with customers.
Work Environment
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Linemen often work outdoors in bad weather. Installers are usually on call 24 hours a day, and are required to respond to natural disasters that damage cable lines. Workers carry heavy equipment and must be physically fit. Traveling long distances in utility vehicles is not uncommon. Workers must climb tall poles or work in deep trenches. Safety rules are required to be followed by workers.
Salary
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Cable linemen enjoy a good salary. The median hourly wage in 2006 was $22.25. Starting salary is about $15.56 per hour, and can top out at about $28.40 per hour. Some jobs, however, can pay as little as $11.88 per hour depending on the region.
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References
- Photo Credit lineman,utility worker image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
