Profession · Full profile

Lineman

Linemen build and fix overhead and underground power lines to keep electricity flowing.

Average salary

$95,320

Salary range

$51,470 – $128,690

Training time

About 3 to 4 years

Job market

Much faster than average

9/10

Work-life balance

Demanding

4/10

Linemen install, maintain, and repair overhead and underground power lines. They climb utility poles, operate bucket trucks, and work on high-voltage equipment in all weather conditions to restore service after storms and equipment breakdowns. Safety rules govern every task near energized lines. Pay and job figures cover electrical power-line installers and repairers, the official group that includes linemen. Most workers complete an apprenticeship to reach journeyman status while learning electrical theory and physical rigging.

A workday

A day in the life

What does a workday really look like?

A scheduled weekday focused on system upgrades, equipment inspection, and pole maintenance.

6:30 AM
Yard arrival and truck inspection
Inspect the bucket truck, check fluids, and confirm all required tools and safety gear are on board.
7:00 AM
Safety tailgate meeting
Review the day's work plan, discuss hazards, and go over safety protocols for working near energized lines.
7:45 AM
Travel to jobsite
Drive commercial bucket trucks to the scheduled power line maintenance site.
8:30 AM
Overhead hardware upgrade
Set out traffic controls, rig replacement insulators, and install new switches from the bucket.
12:00 PM
Lunch break
Take a midday break at the jobsite.
12:45 PM
Pole inspection and line testing
Inspect utility poles, test line voltage, and check equipment connections for defects.
2:30 PM
Site cleanup and material restock
Pack up rigging gear, stow bucket booms, and clear safety cones from the roadway.
3:00 PM
Return to base and logging
Submit work logs, report hardware used, and prep the service truck for next-day dispatch.

Task breakdown

An emergency response shift focused on fixing downed wires, repairing broken poles, and restoring electricity.

6:00 AM
Emergency dispatch briefing
Receive damage reports, review priority outage maps, and collect replacement transformers.
6:45 AM
Travel through storm zone
Navigate damaged roads to reach high-priority electrical circuits knocked offline by wind.
7:30 AM
Hazard containment and grounding
Test fallen conductors to confirm lines are de-energized and place protective grounds.
9:00 AM
Pole replacement and wire pulling
Rig and set a broken utility pole, then hoist and splice downed overhead primary lines.
1:30 PM
Field meal break
Quick meal break while checking in with dispatch for the next outage location.
2:00 PM
Transformer installation
Replace a blown pole-top transformer using the bucket truck boom and secure secondary leads.
4:30 PM
System re-energization and testing
Coordinate switch closing with the distribution center and verify power is restored to customers.
6:00 PM
Shift turnover and next ticket dispatch
Update system status on mobile terminals and prepare for continued storm repairs.

Salary data

What do you really earn?

Salary by experience, sector and region.

Minimum

$51,470

Average

$95,320

Maximum

$128,690

Salary by region

Region	Min	Avg.	Max
National	$51,470	$95,320	$128,690
Texas	$46,760	$78,940	$107,550
California	$77,350	$129,040	$167,090
Florida	$50,690	$86,870	$109,300
New York	$58,740	$121,280	$141,160
North Carolina	$48,180	$77,270	$105,430

Typical benefits

Overtime and storm pay

Additional compensation for emergency work, late calls, and severe storm restoration.

Health insurance and pension plans

Comprehensive healthcare coverage and retirement pensions, often provided through unions.

Paid apprenticeship training

Earn wages while receiving formal technical instruction and on-the-job training.

Strong job security

Stable employment opportunities with municipal, cooperative, and private electric utilities.

Pathways

Education pathways

Which paths lead to this profession?

Apprenticeship

About 3 to 4 years

Lineworker apprenticeship

Apprenticeships combine on-the-job training with technical instruction. Completing an apprenticeship leads to journeyman status.

Costs: Apprentices are paid while they learn
Entry requirements: High school diploma or equivalent; at least 18 years old

Certificate

Several weeks to 1 year

Lineworker certificate program

Offered by some community colleges and lineworker schools. Teaches pole climbing and basic electrical theory before an apprenticeship.

Entry requirements: High school diploma or equivalent

Profile

Skills & personality

Is this a good fit for you?

Hard skills

Pole climbingUsing climbing gaffs and belts to ascend wooden utility poles safely where bucket trucks cannot reach.
High-voltage safetyApplying strict protective procedures and OSHA standards while working on or near live power circuits.
Bucket truck operationManeuvering aerial lift booms to access elevated transformers, switches, and overhead conductors.
Electrical theoryUnderstanding circuits, voltage levels, resistance, and current flow to diagnose grid faults.
RiggingSetting up ropes, pulleys, and hoists to lift and position heavy utility poles and electrical gear.
Underground cable installationPlacing, splicing, and maintaining buried electrical conduits and direct-buried power cables.

Soft skills

Safety awarenessConstantly watching for hazards to protect crew members from electrocution and falls.
TeamworkCoordinating closely with ground personnel and bucket operators during complex mechanical maneuvers.
Physical staminaHandling heavy tools, pulling wire, and working outdoors in severe weather for long hours.
Composure under pressureStaying calm and focused while working on dangerous equipment during storm emergencies.

Is this a good fit for you?

✓
Safety consciousCommitted to following strict procedures and checking safety gear before touching high-voltage hardware.
✓
ResilientAble to handle grueling outdoor conditions, extreme temperatures, and long storm shifts.
✓
DependableReady to respond promptly when emergency calls arrive on weekends, nights, or holidays.
✓
Detail orientedCareful when inspecting electrical connections, fuses, and insulators to avoid catastrophic errors.
✓
Team mindedReliable in looking out for partners aloft and communicating clearly on active jobsites.

Market

Job market & outlook

What does the market look like?

Openings per year

10,900

Trend

Growth

+10.3%

AI impact

2/10

Smart grid sensors and drones help find faults and inspect lines. Climbing, installing and repairing lines remains skilled manual work.

Regional demand

North Carolina

Cooperative and regional utilities demonstrate high demand for qualified line crews.

7/10

Texas

Demand is high across utility networks and ongoing line construction projects.

7/10

Florida

Utilities and cooperatives need workers for routine operations and regular storm restoration.

4/10

New York

Municipal utilities and contractors maintain dense overhead and underground systems.

4/10

California

Openings exist with public utilities and line contractors maintaining electrical infrastructure.

3/10

Growth

Career paths

Where can this profession take you?

Vertical growth

Groundman
0-1 years
Assists crews from the ground, handles materials, rigs gear, and learns trade fundamentals.
Apprentice lineman
1-4 years
Combines structured classroom instruction with supervised line work while gaining climbing hours.
Journeyman lineman
4-8 years
Performs all overhead and underground line tasks independently on energized power systems.
Line crew foreman or supervisor
8+ years
Directs daily field operations, oversees jobsite safety, and coordinates restoration work.

Horizontal move

Electrician
Transitions trade skills to indoor, commercial, or industrial wiring and building systems.
View Electrician
Telecommunications technician
Applies utility pole and cable installation experience to communications and fiber networks.

Good to know

Practical info

Working hours: Full time, with frequent overtime during storms and emergency restoration.
Remote work: Remote work is not possible because the job is done in the field on power lines and equipment.
Physical requirements: Physically demanding outdoor work at heights and in all weather, with a serious risk of electrical shock and falls.
Typical employers: Electric utilities, power line construction contractors, electric cooperatives, municipal utilities, and government agencies.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What does a lineman do every day?

Linemen install, maintain, and repair overhead and underground power lines to distribute electricity. Daily duties include climbing utility poles, operating bucket trucks, and hoisting hardware into place. They install transformers, switches, and insulators, inspect grid infrastructure for flaws, and repair downed circuits. Work takes place outdoors in all weather conditions under strict safety procedures to avoid electrical shock and falls.

How do you become a lineman?

You become a lineman by earning a high school diploma, turning 18 years old, and entering an apprenticeship program. Pre-apprenticeship certificate programs at community colleges or trade schools can help teach climbing and electrical basics. A commercial driver's license is required by many employers. Apprentices complete on-the-job training and technical instruction to reach journeyman lineworker status.

Is line work dangerous?

Line work is dangerous because lineworkers operate at elevated heights directly beside energized high-voltage electrical equipment. Common hazards include falls, falling objects, and electric shock. To mitigate these risks, workers undergo mandatory safety instruction and use specialized protective gear. Linemen must follow strict OSHA electrical safety training procedures whenever working on or near energized lines.

Can linemen work from home?

Remote work is not possible because the job requires physical presence on power lines and grid hardware. Linemen spend their work shifts out in the field climbing poles, operating heavy machinery, pulling underground cables, and repairing damaged substations. All installation, testing, and emergency repair tasks require hands-on mechanical labor directly on utility property.

What licenses and credentials do linemen need?

A commercial driver's license is required by many employers so lineworkers can drive utility bucket trucks and transport equipment. Workers also need OSHA electrical safety training before performing tasks near energized conductors. After finishing an apprenticeship combining classroom instruction with extensive practical experience, lineworkers earn recognized journeyman lineworker status.

What are typical working hours for a lineman?

Full-time day shifts are standard, but linemen frequently work overtime during emergencies. Because electrical outages occur unexpectedly, lineworkers are often placed on call during nights, weekends, and holidays. Major storms cause long shifts that may involve travel away from home for several days until power is fully restored to communities.

How is artificial intelligence affecting lineworkers?

Smart grid sensors and drones help utilities inspect lines and detect faults across power grids, but they do not replace human workers. Physical line maintenance requires skilled hands to climb poles, rig equipment, splice cables, and install transformers. The core mechanical labor of building and repairing electrical lines remains manual work performed by trained lineworkers.

Related professions

In depth

All about lineman

The background, context and details.

What linemen do on the grid

Linemen keep the electric grid running. The physical labor is intense. Crews climb utility poles and work from bucket trucks in harsh weather to install transformers, insulators, switches, and high-voltage power lines across regional electrical networks. They install and maintain overhead and underground lines. Regular inspections prevent equipment failures. Lineworkers inspect lines and test hardware to find problems before dangerous blackouts occur. Working near energized conductors requires strict safety procedures to prevent falls and electrical shock.

Daily conditions and schedule demands

Remote work is impossible. This trade demands hands-on labor directly on utility lines and equipment in the field. Full-time schedules are normal, but emergency restoration brings frequent overtime. Linemen remain on call during nights and weekends. When severe storms or equipment failures knock out electrical service across an entire county, line crews often travel long distances to rebuild utility infrastructure and work extended emergency shifts until every customer has power restored. Storms bring long days. Crew members work outdoors in all weather conditions.

Pathways into the electrical line trade

Most lineworkers enter the craft through structured training programs. A commercial driver's license is required by many employers before hiring. Key steps for building a career in this trade include:

Earning a high school diploma or equivalent
Completing a lineworker certificate program
Starting on a crew as a groundman
Finishing a paid lineworker apprenticeship
Earning journeyman lineworker status

Apprenticeships combine full-time paid on-the-job training with technical instruction over several years, allowing new workers to build high-voltage electrical skills while earning wages under the guidance of experienced journeymen. OSHA electrical safety training is required for work near energized lines.

Equipment and technical tasks aloft

Safety comes first aloft. Lineworkers use bucket trucks and personal fall protection to handle high-voltage hardware safely. Rigging and heavy equipment operation are essential skills on every jobsite. Smart grid sensors and drones help utilities find faults and inspect lines from afar. Even so, climbing utility poles and repairing lines remains skilled manual work that automated systems cannot perform. Electric utilities, power line construction contractors, electric cooperatives, municipal utilities, and government agencies all hire qualified personnel to maintain electric networks. Contact a local electric utility or line contractor to inquire about groundman positions.