The Ultimate Guide to Lineman Salary in Texas: Powering...

In the vast, sprawling landscape of Texas, from the bustling heart of Houston to the windswept plains of the Panhandle, a hidden force keeps the state running. They are the individuals who brave scorching summer heat, hurricane-force winds, and treacherous ice storms to ensure that millions of homes and businesses have the power they need to thrive. These are the electrical power-line installers and repairers, known more commonly and with great respect as linemen. If you're drawn to a career that offers immense challenge, profound purpose, and exceptional financial reward, you've come to the right place.

The path of a lineman is not for the faint of heart, but for those who complete the journey, the compensation is a direct reflection of the skill, risk, and dedication the job demands. In Texas, a state with a booming economy, rapid population growth, and a constant need for infrastructure upgrades, the demand for qualified linemen has never been higher. This guide will explore every facet of a lineman salary in Texas, revealing not just the numbers, but the story behind them—how to earn them, how to maximize them, and how to build a lasting, prosperous career.

I once experienced a multi-day power outage after a severe ice storm blanketed North Texas. The silence was deafening, the cold was biting, and the feeling of helplessness grew with each passing hour. The moment the lights flickered back on was one of pure, unadulterated relief, and it was all thanks to crews of linemen working around the clock in conditions I could barely imagine. That experience cemented my deep respect for this profession—a career that doesn't just offer a job, but a vital role in the fabric of modern society.

This comprehensive guide will serve as your roadmap. We will dissect salary data from the most reliable sources, explore the factors that can elevate your earnings, and lay out the precise steps you need to take to get started on this electrifying career path.

### Table of Contents

[What Does a Lineman in Texas Do?](#what-does-a-lineman-do)
[Lineman Salary in Texas: A Deep Dive](#average-salary-deep-dive)
[Key Factors That Influence a Lineman's Salary](#key-factors)
[Job Outlook and Career Growth in Texas](#job-outlook)
[How to Become a Lineman in Texas](#how-to-get-started)
[Conclusion: Is a Lineman Career in Texas Right for You?](#conclusion)

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What Does a Lineman in Texas Do?

The term "lineman" often conjures an image of a rugged individual climbing a wooden utility pole, silhouetted against a setting sun or a stormy sky. While accurate, this picture only scratches the surface of a complex, highly technical, and physically demanding profession. At its core, a lineman's job is to install, maintain, and repair the vast network of electrical power systems that deliver energy from generation plants to customers.

Their responsibilities are broad and change daily, dictated by weather, construction schedules, and emergency needs. They are the first responders of the utility world. When a hurricane makes landfall on the Gulf Coast or a tornado rips through the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, linemen are the ones heading *into* the disaster zone to begin the arduous process of rebuilding the grid and restoring power.

Core Responsibilities and Daily Tasks:

Installation of New Infrastructure: As Texas continues its rapid growth, linemen are constantly at work on new construction projects. This involves setting new utility poles (both wood and steel), stringing new power lines, and installing transformers, insulators, and other critical hardware.
Maintenance and Upgrades: The electrical grid requires constant upkeep. Linemen conduct routine inspections, replace aging poles and wires, and upgrade equipment to handle increased electrical loads and improve system reliability. This preventative work is crucial for avoiding large-scale outages.
Troubleshooting and Repair: This is the reactive, emergency-response side of the job. Linemen use specialized equipment to identify faults in the system—whether caused by a fallen tree branch, equipment failure, or an animal—and perform the necessary repairs to restore service as quickly and safely as possible.
Working with High Voltage: Linemen are trained to work with incredibly dangerous levels of electricity, from the standard 7,200 volts on a neighborhood distribution line to the 345,000+ volts on a massive transmission tower. They use highly specialized tools, protective equipment (like rubber gloves and sleeves), and meticulous procedures ("hot-sticking" or "gloving") to work on energized lines.
Operating Heavy Equipment: The job isn't just about climbing. Linemen are skilled operators of bucket trucks (aerial lifts), derrick diggers for setting poles, cranes, and trenchers for underground lines. A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is a fundamental requirement.
Prioritizing Safety: Safety is the absolute, non-negotiable foundation of this career. Every single task begins with a safety briefing ("tailboard talk"). Linemen are rigorously trained in OSHA regulations, proper grounding techniques, and emergency rescue procedures (like pole-top rescue).

### A Day in the Life of a Texas Lineman

To make this tangible, let's follow a fictional journeyman lineman named Carlos working for a utility in the Houston area.

6:30 AM: Carlos arrives at the service center. The day begins with a crew meeting and a detailed "tailboard" safety briefing. The foreman goes over the day's jobs, potential hazards (like morning humidity and traffic), and ensures all personal protective equipment (PPE) is in order.
7:30 AM: The crew rolls out in their bucket and derrick trucks. Their first job is a planned upgrade in a suburban neighborhood, replacing an aging transformer that's struggling to keep up with the demand from new home construction.
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM: On-site, the crew sets up safety cones and signage. Carlos and his partner, working from two bucket trucks, de-energize and ground the local line. They carefully remove the old transformer, hoist the new, heavier unit into place, and make the intricate connections. Every move is deliberate, communicated clearly between crew members.
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM: Lunch, often eaten at the job site to maximize efficiency.
12:30 PM - 3:00 PM: The next job is troubleshooting a localized outage affecting a handful of homes. They patrol the line and find the culprit: a large tree branch, weakened by a recent thunderstorm, has fallen onto the power line and blown a fuse. After getting clearance from the system operator, they safely remove the branch and replace the fuse, restoring power to grateful residents.
3:30 PM: The crew heads back to the yard to restock their trucks with materials, clean their equipment, and complete their daily paperwork.
4:30 PM: Carlos is about to head home when the call comes in. A severe thunderstorm with high winds is moving through the area, and reports of "wires down" are flooding the system. This is an "all-hands-on-deck" situation. Carlos calls his family, grabs a quick bite, and prepares for what will likely be a 16-hour shift working through the night to get the lights back on. This is where a lineman truly earns their salt—and their overtime pay.

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Lineman Salary in Texas: A Deep Dive

Now for the central question: How much does a lineman make in Texas? The compensation for this profession is substantial, reflecting the high-stakes nature of the work, the extensive training required, and the immense demand for skilled professionals. Texas, in particular, stands out as one of the most lucrative states for linemen.

It's important to understand that lineman pay isn't just a single number; it's a comprehensive package. The salary figures below are often base rates, which are then significantly augmented by overtime, storm work, and other pay premiums.

### Texas vs. National Averages

First, let's establish a baseline. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the national median annual wage for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers was $81,580 as of May 2022. The top 10% of earners nationally exceeded $109,790 per year.

However, Texas significantly outperforms the national average. The BLS data for Texas shows:

Mean Annual Wage in Texas: $83,820
Median Annual Wage in Texas: $80,240

*(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2022 Data for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers in Texas)*

While the BLS provides a fantastic, standardized benchmark, real-world earnings in Texas, especially for experienced linemen, are often much higher. Reputable salary aggregators, which collect real-time, user-submitted data, paint a more detailed picture. For instance, Salary.com, which tends to capture total compensation, reports the average base salary for a Lineman in Texas to be around $89,975, with a typical range falling between $83,989 and $91,626 (as of late 2023).

### Salary by Experience Level in Texas

A lineman's career is structured around a formal apprenticeship. Your earnings will grow systematically as you gain skills and experience. Here is a typical progression in Texas:

| --------------------- | --------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |

| Lineman Apprentice | 0-4 Years | $45,000 - $75,000+ | Starts at 50-60% of a Journeyman's wage. Receives scheduled pay increases every six months to a year as they complete training steps ("step raises"). The final salary depends on the step they are in. |

| Journeyman Lineman | 4+ Years | $80,000 - $110,000+ | This is a fully qualified, certified lineman. This base salary represents the "100% scale" wage. This is the figure most often quoted, but it's the *floor*, not the ceiling, for annual earnings. |

| Lineman Foreman/Lead | 8-10+ Years | $100,000 - $130,000+ | Leads a crew of linemen. This position comes with a significant pay premium, typically 10-25% above the Journeyman rate. Foremen also often earn bonuses tied to crew productivity and safety. |

| General Foreman/Superintendent | 15+ Years | $120,000 - $160,000+ | Oversees multiple crews and large-scale projects. This is a senior leadership role with a corresponding six-figure base salary and significant performance incentives. |

*(Salary ranges are estimates compiled from BLS, Salary.com, Glassdoor, and IBEW wage agreements in Texas. Actual figures can vary.)*

### Beyond the Base Salary: The True Compensation Package

The salary figures above are only part of the story. A lineman's W-2 at the end of the year is often dramatically higher than their base pay due to several crucial factors:

Overtime Pay: This is the single biggest variable. Standard overtime is paid at 1.5 times the hourly rate ("time-and-a-half"). It's common for linemen to work 10-20 hours of overtime per week during busy construction seasons or after minor storms.
Storm Work & Emergency Call-Outs: This is where earnings can skyrocket. When a lineman is called out for an emergency, they are often guaranteed a minimum number of hours of pay (e.g., 4 hours), even if the job takes only one. During major events like hurricanes, ice storms, or widespread outages, linemen work 16-hour days for weeks on end. This work is often paid at double the hourly rate ("double-time"). It's not uncommon for a journeyman lineman to earn an extra $30,000 - $60,000+ in a year with significant storm activity.
Per Diem: Linemen working for contractors often travel for work. To cover living expenses (lodging, food), they are paid a "per diem," a tax-free daily allowance that can range from $100 to $150+ per day. This is a significant, non-taxable addition to their income.
Bonuses and Profit Sharing: While more common at non-union contractors and some utilities, performance bonuses can add several thousand dollars to annual compensation.
Benefits and Pension: This is an incredibly valuable, often overlooked, part of a lineman's compensation. Union and large utility jobs typically come with exceptional benefits packages:
Fully-funded or heavily subsidized health insurance for the lineman and their family.
A pension plan (defined benefit), which is increasingly rare in other industries.
A 401(k) or similar retirement plan (defined contribution), often with a generous company match.

When you factor in overtime, storm pay, per diem, and the monetary value of a top-tier benefits package and pension, the total compensation for an experienced Journeyman Lineman in Texas can easily approach or exceed $150,000 - $200,000 in a busy year.

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Key Factors That Influence a Lineman's Salary in Texas

While the averages provide a great starting point, your specific salary as a lineman in Texas will be determined by a combination of critical factors. Understanding these variables is key to maximizing your earning potential throughout your career. This isn't like a corporate job where a specific degree dictates your starting pay; in the line trade, it's about your training, your employer, where you work, and what you can do.

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1. Training Path: Lineman School and Apprenticeship Completion

In the world of a lineman, "education" is not measured by a bachelor's or master's degree. It's measured by the successful completion of two key stages: a pre-apprenticeship program (lineman school) and a formal apprenticeship.

Pre-Apprenticeship Lineman School: Attending a dedicated lineman training program, such as those offered by Texas State Technical College (TSTC) or Northwest Lineman College (NLC) (which has a campus in Denton, TX), is the most common entry point. While it's an initial investment, graduating from a reputable school makes you a far more competitive candidate for apprenticeships. Employers know you already have foundational knowledge of safety, climbing, rigging, and basic electrical theory. This can lead to being hired into a higher-paying apprenticeship slot faster than someone with no prior training.
Apprenticeship: This is the core of your training and salary progression. An apprenticeship is a structured, multi-year program (typically 3.5 to 4 years) where you earn while you learn. You work full-time in the field under the supervision of journeymen and attend regular classroom instruction. Your salary is a set percentage of a journeyman's wage and increases with each "step" you complete (e.g., after every 1,000 hours of on-the-job training). A lineman who has "topped out" and earned their Journeyman Lineman certification will see their base salary jump to 100% of the scale, effectively doubling their starting apprentice wage.

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2. Experience Level: The Apprentice-to-Journeyman Journey

Experience is the most direct and predictable driver of salary growth for a lineman. The industry has a clearly defined hierarchy based on skill and time in the trade, with pay directly tied to it.

Apprentice Lineman (Years 0-4): As mentioned, you'll start at a percentage of the top rate. For example, if the journeyman hourly wage is $50/hour, a first-step apprentice might make $28/hour (~56%). After six months or a year, they might move to the second step and earn $31/hour (~62%), and so on. The progression is steady and guaranteed as long as you meet the program requirements.
Journeyman Lineman (Years 4+): Upon completing your apprenticeship, you "top out." This is a monumental career milestone. Your base pay immediately jumps to the full journeyman rate. From here, annual cost-of-living adjustments and new contract negotiations will increase this base rate over time. A 10-year journeyman will earn more than a 5-year journeyman due to these incremental contract increases.
Foreman and General Foreman (Years 8-15+): The primary way to increase your salary after becoming a journeyman is through promotion. A Foreman, who leads a single crew, earns a premium on top of the journeyman wage—often a set dollar amount per hour or a percentage (e.g., 110% of journeyman scale). A General Foreman, who oversees multiple crews and coordinates larger projects, earns an even higher premium (e.g., 125% of journeyman scale). These leadership roles carry more responsibility and command significantly higher salaries and potential bonuses.

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3. Geographic Location within Texas

"Texas" is a massive state, and where you work within its borders makes a difference. Salaries are often adjusted based on the cost of living, the concentration of industrial work, and the presence of unions.

Major Metropolitan Areas (Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth): These areas have a high cost of living and a massive amount of infrastructure to maintain and build. Major utilities like CenterPoint Energy (Houston) and Oncor (DFW) employ thousands of linemen. Wages here are very competitive and are often among the highest in the state due to the sheer volume of work and strong union presence.
High-Growth Hubs (Austin, San Antonio): Cities like Austin are experiencing explosive population growth, driving a relentless need for new power infrastructure. Utilities like Austin Energy and CPS Energy (San Antonio) offer strong, stable careers with excellent pay and government-backed benefits.
West Texas Oil Fields (Midland, Odessa, Permian Basin): This region is a unique hot spot for high earnings. The immense energy demands of the oil and gas industry create a constant need for specialized linemen. Both utility and contractor pay can be exceptionally high here to attract talent to the remote location. It's a prime area for earning significant overtime.
Rural and East Texas: While still offering very good wages, salaries at some smaller rural electric cooperatives (RECs) may be slightly lower than in the major metro areas. However, this is often offset by a much lower cost of living and potentially a better work-life balance (though storm work is a constant everywhere).

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4. Employer Type: Utility vs. Contractor vs. Co-op

Who you work for is arguably one of the most significant factors influencing your day-to-day life and total compensation package.

Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs): These are large, publicly-traded companies like Oncor, CenterPoint Energy, AEP Texas, and Entergy Texas.
Pros: Generally offer excellent pay, the best benefits (pensions, top-tier health insurance), high job security, and a strong safety culture. Most are unionized (IBEW), meaning wages and working conditions are contractually guaranteed.
Cons: The hiring process can be slow and competitive. Overtime might be more regulated compared to contractors.
Municipal Utilities and Government Entities: These are owned by a city or public authority, such as Austin Energy or the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA).
Pros: Very similar to IOUs, with great job security and outstanding government benefits, including robust pension plans. Strong focus on serving the local community.
Cons: May have slightly more bureaucratic structures.
Rural Electric Cooperatives (RECs): These are non-profit entities owned by their members, serving the more rural parts of Texas.
Pros: Fantastic work culture, often described as more family-like. Good work-life balance. Solid pay and benefits.
Cons: Base pay may be slightly less than at large IOUs. They cover vast, sparsely populated territories.
Line Contractors: These are private companies hired by utilities, co-ops, and industrial clients to build and maintain power lines. Major contractors in Texas include companies like Quanta Services and MYR Group.
Pros: Often offer the highest hourly wages and the most opportunity for massive amounts of overtime. The ability to travel the country for storm restoration ("storm chasing") can lead to enormous annual earnings. Per diem pay is a significant benefit.
Cons: Less job security; work is project-based, and layoffs can occur between jobs. Benefits packages can be less comprehensive than at utilities. The lifestyle requires constant travel and time away from home.

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5. Area of Specialization

Within the lineman trade, there are several specializations. While most linemen are proficient in multiple areas, specializing can affect your work type and sometimes your pay.

Distribution: This is the most common type of line work. Distribution linemen work on the wooden poles and underground lines that deliver power directly to neighborhoods and businesses (typically 4kV to 35kV).
Transmission: These are the "heavy hitters" of the industry. Transmission linemen work on the massive steel lattice towers that carry extremely high voltages (69kV to 765kV) over long distances. This work is often more physically demanding, involves more travel and work in remote areas, and can sometimes carry a pay premium due to its specialized nature.
Substation: Substation technicians are specialized electricians who build, maintain, and repair the equipment inside electrical substations—the "intersections" of the power grid. It's highly technical work that combines aspects of being an electrician and a lineman.
Underground Residential Distribution (URD): As more communities put power lines underground, URD specialists are in demand. They install and maintain cables in trenches and vaults, a different skillset than climbing poles.

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6. High-Value Skills and Certifications

Beyond your core Journeyman certification, certain additional skills and licenses are not just valuable—they are often essential and can make you a more sought-after and higher-paid employee.

Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL): This is non-negotiable. You cannot begin a lineman career without it. You will be driving heavy trucks as a primary part of your job.
Crane Operator Certification (NCCCO): Being certified to operate cranes is a huge advantage, especially for transmission and substation work. It can lead to a pay differential or make you the go-to person on a crew.
OSHA Certifications (OSHA 10/30 T&D): These demonstrate a formal understanding of federal safety regulations for the Transmission & Distribution industry. Most employers require this.
Advanced Technical Skills: Proficiency in specialized techniques like "hot-sticking" (working on energized lines with insulated tools) and "gloving" (working directly on energized lines with rubber gloves) at higher voltages is a mark of a highly skilled journeyman.

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Job Outlook and Career Growth in Texas

For anyone considering a long-term career, salary is only one piece of the puzzle. Job security and the potential for future growth are equally important. For linemen in Texas, the outlook is not just stable; it's exceptionally bright. The demand for skilled line workers is projected to outpace supply for the foreseeable future, creating a landscape of abundant opportunity.

### National and State-Level Projections

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of line installers and repairers will show steady growth nationally over the next decade. The BLS projects about 23,100 openings for line installers and repairers each year, on average, from 2022 to 2032. Much of this demand stems from the need to replace workers who retire or transfer to different occupations.

In Texas, however, this demand is amplified by a unique convergence of

The Ultimate Guide to Lineman Salary in Texas: Powering Your Career in the Lone Star State

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