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Lineworker: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$95,320median pay per year, or $45.83 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $51,470lowest 10% earn less
  2. $67,27025th percentile
  3. $95,320median
  4. $109,74075th percentile
  5. $128,690top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

Electrical power-line installers and repairers, often called lineworkers, had a median pay of $95,320 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 10.3% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+10.3%[2]
Openings per year
10,900[5]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[6]

How much do lineworkers make?

The median pay for electrical power-line installers and repairers was $95,320 a year, or $45.83 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. For all occupations in the US, the median was $50,980 a year[4]. The mean (average) for lineworkers was $91,970 a year, or $44.22 an hour[7].

Pay varies widely. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $51,470 a year, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $67,270[3]. The highest-paid 25% earned more than $109,740, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $128,690[3]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[8].

Measure Annual Hourly
10th percentile[3][9] $51,470 $24.74
25th percentile[3][9] $67,270 $32.34
Median[1] $95,320 $45.83
75th percentile[3][9] $109,740 $52.76
90th percentile[3][9] $128,690 $61.87

These figures cover wage and salary workers only. They leave out the self-employed and do not include benefits or nonproduction bonuses[10].

Pay by state and city

Hawaii had the highest median pay at $134,340 a year, followed by Washington at $133,060, Oregon at $131,090 and California at $129,040[11]. Connecticut came fifth at $126,850[11].

Texas had the most jobs, about 17,280, but its median was $78,940[11][12]. California followed with 8,930 jobs, then Florida with 6,420, New York with 5,840 and North Carolina with 5,650[12].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA had the highest median at $157,620[13]. Eugene-Springfield, OR was next at $140,270, then San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $137,180[13]. Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX had the most metro jobs at 4,380, with a median of $82,710[14].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Hawaii[11]$134,340600
Washington$133,0602,340
Oregon$131,0901,640
California$129,0408,930
Connecticut$126,850940
Idaho$125,410860
New Jersey$121,5801,310
New York$121,2805,840
Montana$110,320680
Massachusetts$110,2102,350
Vermont$108,520270
Illinois$108,1203,090
Michigan$106,8902,800
Pennsylvania$106,2304,150
Maryland$106,0901,830
North Dakota$105,870740
Wisconsin$105,8202,520
Rhode Island$104,620120
Minnesota$104,1802,190
Colorado$103,9802,370
New Hampshire$102,170560
Indiana$102,0402,540
Kansas$101,6201,610
District of Columbia$101,240150
Utah$101,2201,030
Iowa$100,2001,390
South Dakota$97,310740
Delaware$97,180330
Nevada$96,560920
Missouri$96,3603,440
Wyoming$93,860670
Ohio$93,1504,260
Alaska$92,470490
Nebraska$92,1501,490
Alabama$92,0302,730
Florida$86,8706,420
West Virginia$83,8101,260
Tennessee$83,6603,900
Maine$83,0901,160
Arkansas$81,4501,510
Georgia$80,0804,960
Texas$78,94017,280
North Carolina$77,2705,650
Kentucky$77,0202,930
South Carolina$76,8702,690
Virginia$76,5902,920
New Mexico$76,4701,020
Louisiana$76,4102,520
Oklahoma$76,0103,290
Mississippi$75,8902,290
Arizona$75,4203,360

How to become a lineworker

BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education, with no work experience in a related job needed[6]. The typical training is long-term on-the-job training[6]. Here is how the path usually looks.

1) Finish high school or an equivalent[6]. Employers may prefer candidates who know basic algebra and trigonometry[15]. 2) Consider a community college program[16]. Some offer a 1-year certificate or a 2-year associate degree, and they may include an internship or hands-on fieldwork[16]. Technical knowledge of electricity from military service or vocational programs may also help[15]. 3) Enter an apprenticeship or another employer-sponsored program[17]. These programs may last up to 3 years and mix on-the-job training with technical instruction[17]. 4) Meet the entry rules[18]. Apprenticeship requirements may include 1 year of high school algebra[18], a qualifying aptitude test score[18] and a substance abuse screening[18]. Some programs also set physical requirements, including a fitness test[18]. 5) Reach the journey level[19]. Qualified apprentices get there after 3 or 4 years, and can then do most tasks without supervision[19].

Certification is available but not mandatory[20]. Workers who drive heavy vehicles usually need a state-issued commercial driver's license (CDL)[21]. Crews that cross state lines need an interstate CDL, which may carry added requirements[21]. Other requirements, such as medical certifications and minimum age, vary by state[22].

The job also asks for comfort working at heights and for color vision, since wires and cables are often color coded[23][24].

In an O*NET survey of 23 workers, 50% said a high school diploma or equivalent is required, and 19% said a post-secondary certificate[25]. Survey results this small are only a rough guide.

What lineworkers do

O*NET describes the work as installing or repairing cables and wires used in electrical power or distribution systems[26]. Some workers also erect poles and transmission towers[26]. Common tasks include:

Job titles reported by workers include electrical lineman, electrical lineworker, power lineman technician and service man[28].

Where they work

Utilities were the largest employer, accounting for 50% of these workers in 2025[29]. The work is outdoors in all kinds of weather, including storms that damage power lines[30]. Workers often drive utility vehicles, and crews on interstate power grids may travel long distances[30].

The work can be physically demanding. It involves great heights and confined spaces, and workers climb utility poles and transmission towers[31]. The job carries serious hazards, and workers must follow safety procedures[32]. Contact with a live cable on a high-voltage line can cause electrocution, so workers use insulated protective tools[33]. Fall-protection gear is used on poles and towers, and safety procedures and training have reduced the danger[34].

Full-time schedules are typical, and some workers put in more than 40 hours a week[35]. After storms or other disasters, they may travel to affected areas and put in long hours for days at a stretch[35].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of electrical power-line installers and repairers to grow 10.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 131,900 to 145,500 jobs[2]. That is a gain of about 13,600 jobs[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same period[36]. These projection counts include self-employed workers[2].

BLS projects about 10,900 openings a year on average[5]. Openings include jobs that appear when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 2.2% of workers leave the labor force and 4.7% move to a different occupation[37].

Is it a good fit?

The facts show pay well above the all-occupations median, with a median of $95,320 against $50,980[1][4]. Entry requires a high school diploma or equivalent and no related experience, but the training is long, with programs that may last up to 3 years[6][17]. Growth is projected at 10.3%, faster than the 3.5% for all occupations[2][36]. The work is outdoors, at heights and around electrical hazards, and storm response can mean long hours[31][30][33][35]. Pay also depends on where you live, with medians from $75,420 in Arizona to $134,340 in Hawaii[11].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[38].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a lineworker make an hour?
The median was $45.83 an hour in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $24.74 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $61.87[9].
How long does it take to become a lineworker?
Apprenticeship and employer training programs may last up to 3 years[17]. Qualified apprentices reach the journey level after 3 or 4 years[19].
What education do you need to be a lineworker?
A high school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry education[6]. Some community colleges offer a 1-year certificate or 2-year associate degree[16].
Is lineworker work in demand?
BLS projects 10.3% job growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, and about 10,900 openings a year[2][36][5].
What is the highest paying state for lineworkers?
Hawaii had the highest median at $134,340 a year, followed by Washington at $133,060[11].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers in the US was $95,320 per year and $45.83 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers is projected to grow 10.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 131,900 to 145,500 jobs (a change of +13,600). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers: 10th percentile $51,470, 25th percentile $67,270, 75th percentile $109,740, 90th percentile $128,690. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 10,900 openings for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers was $91,970 per year and $44.22 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers: 10th percentile $24.74, 25th percentile $32.34, 75th percentile $52.76, 90th percentile $61.87. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. Median annual wage for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers jobs: Texas 17,280; California 8,930; Florida 6,420; New York 5,840; North Carolina 5,650. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $157,620; Eugene-Springfield, OR $140,270; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $137,180; Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $135,400; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $135,300; Urban Honolulu, HI $135,080; Salem, OR $134,500; Fresno, CA $134,150. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers jobs: Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 4,380 (median $82,710); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 3,930 (median $77,910); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 3,850 (median $122,480); Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ 2,810 (median $75,420); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 2,660 (median $83,570); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 2,140 (median $130,440). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. O*NET 49-9051.00 survey of workers (23 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 50%, Post-Secondary Certificate 19%, Less than a High School Diploma 18%, Some College Courses 10% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET description of Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers. O*NET OnLine
  27. O*NET task list for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers. O*NET OnLine
  28. O*NET 49-9051.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Class Gloving Electrical Lineman, Class Rubber Gloving Lineman, Electrical Lineman, Electrical Lineworker, Lineworker, Power Lineman, Power Lineman Technician, Service Man. O*NET OnLine
  29. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of electrical power-line installers and repairers in 2025: Utilities 50%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  37. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers: 2.2% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.7% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  38. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.