Data center jobs · IT and network
Network / Fiber Technician job
What a data center network / fiber technician does day to day, the shift schedule at live sites, OTDR fiber testing, Network+ and CCNA, and how cabling technicians and IT support staff get hired.
By Czarina Tabayoyong, Founder, Critical Path Hiring
Last reviewed · First published
Reviewed as terms, pay and markets change.
The job
A network / fiber technician tests fiber with an OTDR, patches connections and installs switches at a live data center.
A typical day
- Test fiber with an OTDR
- Patch connections between equipment
- Install switches
- Hand over notes to the next shift
Location and schedule
Live data center sites, on shifts.
Skills and certifications
Required
- Fiber testing with an OTDR
- Patching
- Switch installs
Helpful
- Network+ or CCNA
Routes in
Structured cabling technicians and IT support staff move into this role.
Next roles
This role leads to network engineer.
Pay
Pay varies by market and level, and the current ranges are in our data center salary guide.
Questions
- What is the schedule for a network / fiber technician?
- Shifts at live sites.
- What certifications help a network / fiber technician?
- Network+ or CCNA helps. The required skills are fiber testing with an OTDR, patching and switch installs.
- How do I become a network / fiber technician?
- Structured cabling technicians and IT support staff move into the role. Network engineer is the next step.
Next steps
- Join the talent network and tell us your discipline, market and availability
- Look up a term in the data center glossary
- Back to data center jobs explained