Low Voltage Technician
Installs data, voice, video, fire alarm, access control, security cabling. The 'electrical work without the high voltage' trade.
Also known as: data cabling installer · structured cabling · VDV installer · fire alarm tech
The Reality.
Massive growth from the data center boom. Easier physical demand than full electrical work. Many states require a low-voltage license separate from electrician — Texas, California, Florida all have specific classifications. IBEW's 'Inside Wireman' apprenticeship typically covers low voltage; standalone apprenticeships exist too.
The Money.
| Stage | Hourly | Approx. annual (40 hr × 50 wk) |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 apprentice | $18–$25/hr | $36,000 – $50,000 |
| Journeyman (top of scale) | $28–$48/hr | $56,000 – $96,000 |
| BLS national median (all stages) | — | $60,240 |
| BLS top 10% (90th percentile) | — | $96,130 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS (May 2024 release). Apprentice/journeyman hourly ranges synthesized from union scale data and reported non-union rates. Major-metro union scale runs higher; smaller markets run lower.
The Path.
- · BICSI Installer 1/2/Technician
- · OSHA 10
- · Fire Alarm (NICET)
- · Manufacturer certs (Cisco, Crestron, etc.)
What the recruiter won't tell you.
- 01License requirements vary wildly by state. Check before you commit.
- 02Some 'low-voltage' jobs are actually full electrical work mislabeled — verify scope.
- 03AI/data center buildout is creating a temporary boom — plan for the cycle.
The Tool Bill.
What you'll spend on tools in your first year. Don't let anyone tell you it's less.
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