The Ultimate Guide to the Salary of a Lineman: Powering...

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

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The silhouette of a lineman against a stormy sky, working diligently to restore power, is an iconic image of resilience and service. It’s a career that commands respect, requires immense skill, and offers a level of compensation that reflects its critical importance. If you've ever found yourself wondering about the financial rewards of this demanding profession, you're asking the right questions. The career of a lineman is not just a job; it's a high-stakes, high-reward commitment to keeping our modern world switched on. The salary of a lineman can range from a solid starting wage for an apprentice to well over six figures for an experienced journeyman, especially when factoring in overtime and specialized work.

I remember a brutal ice storm a few years back that knocked out power to my entire region for days. While most of us were huddled inside, the steady hum of utility trucks became a symbol of hope. Seeing the crews working tirelessly in freezing conditions, their headlamps cutting through the darkness, gave me a profound and lasting appreciation for the grit and dedication this career demands. They weren't just fixing wires; they were restoring warmth, safety, and a sense of normalcy to thousands of people.

This guide is designed to be your definitive resource, a comprehensive exploration of the salary of a lineman. We will go beyond simple numbers, dissecting the complex factors that shape a lineman's earning potential—from geographic location and company type to the immense value of experience and specialization. Whether you are a high school student contemplating your future, a military veteran seeking a new mission-driven career, or a professional looking for a challenging and lucrative change, this article will provide the authoritative, data-backed insights you need to make an informed decision. Let’s power up and explore the rewarding world of a professional lineman.

What Does a Lineman Do?

At its core, a lineman—more formally known as an electrical power-line installer and repairer—is a highly skilled tradesperson responsible for the construction, maintenance, and repair of the electrical grid. They are the frontline guardians of the vast network of cables and equipment that deliver electricity from power plants to our homes, businesses, and essential services. Their work is a blend of technical expertise, physical strength, and unwavering attention to safety protocols, often performed in challenging conditions and at considerable heights.

The responsibilities are diverse and can change daily, but they generally fall into three main categories:

1. Installation and Construction: Linemen build the electrical infrastructure from the ground up. This involves setting new utility poles, stringing heavy-duty electrical cables between them, and installing essential components like transformers, insulators, switches, and lightning arresters. They work from detailed blueprints and technical specifications to expand the grid to new residential developments, commercial centers, and industrial facilities.

2. Maintenance and Inspection: The power grid requires constant upkeep to ensure reliability and prevent failures. Linemen conduct routine inspections of power lines and equipment, looking for signs of wear and tear, corrosion, or damage from weather and wildlife. They perform preventative maintenance, such as trimming trees away from lines, tightening connections, and replacing aging components before they can cause an outage.

3. Repair and Restoration: This is the most visible and often most dangerous aspect of the job. When storms, accidents, or equipment failures cause a power outage, linemen are the first responders. They must quickly and safely identify the source of the fault, which could be anything from a downed pole to a blown transformer, and execute the necessary repairs to restore power. This work often happens in the worst possible weather conditions—high winds, blizzards, floods, and extreme heat—and requires a calm, methodical approach under immense pressure.

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

To make this role more tangible, let's walk through a typical day for a journeyman lineman working for a major utility company.

6:30 AM - The "Show-Up": The day begins at the operations center. The lineman joins their crew for a daily safety briefing, often called a "tailboard talk." The foreman outlines the day's scheduled jobs, discusses the specific hazards associated with each task (e.g., energized lines, traffic control, confined spaces), and ensures all crew members have the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE).

7:00 AM - Loading Up: The crew inspects and loads their vehicles. This isn't just a pickup truck; it's a mobile workshop. They stock the bucket truck and digger derrick with essential materials like crossarms, insulators, connectors, and cable. Every tool, from hand-held voltage detectors to hydraulic crimpers, is checked for proper function.

8:00 AM - The Morning Job: The first assignment is a planned maintenance task: replacing an aging transformer in a suburban neighborhood. The crew sets up a secure work zone, using cones and signs to manage traffic. After confirming the line is de-energized and grounded for safety, the lineman ascends in the bucket truck. They carefully disconnect the old, heavy transformer, rig it to the truck's crane, and lower it to the ground. The new unit is then hoisted, installed, and connected. The entire process requires precision, clear communication with the ground crew, and constant situational awareness.

12:00 PM - Lunch: The crew takes a well-deserved break.

12:30 PM - The Emergency Call: A call comes in over the radio. A delivery truck has backed into a utility pole a few miles away, snapping it at the base and causing an outage for a nearby business park. The scheduled work is put on hold; storm restoration takes priority.

1:15 PM - On the Scene: The crew arrives to find a chaotic scene. They coordinate with local law enforcement to secure the area. The first priority is safety—they test all downed wires to ensure they are not live. The foreman assesses the damage and formulates a repair plan.

2:00 PM - The Repair: The complex, multi-hour repair begins. The digger derrick is used to pull the old pole stump and drill a new hole. The crew works as a seamless team to set a new, 45-foot wooden pole. The lineman then goes up in the bucket to painstakingly transfer the undamaged lines and equipment to the new pole, while other crew members work on the ground to splice the damaged cables.

5:30 PM - Power Restored: After hours of intense labor, the final connection is made. The foreman calls the control center to re-energize the line. The lights in the business park flicker back on. The crew completes their final safety checks and cleans up the site.

6:30 PM - End of Shift: The crew heads back to the operations center, unloads the trucks, and completes their paperwork. It's been a long, demanding day, but a successful one. And if a major storm is rolling in, they know they might be called right back out again.

Average Lineman Salary: A Deep Dive

The salary of a lineman is one of the most compelling aspects of the career, offering a direct and substantial reward for the skill, risk, and hard work involved. Unlike many professions, compensation in the line trade is often transparent and follows a clear, structured progression from apprentice to seasoned journeyman.

According to the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released in May 2023, the median annual wage for electrical power-line installers and repairers was $85,930. The "median" wage is the midpoint—half of all linemen earned more than this amount, and half earned less.

However, the full picture is much broader. The BLS also reports the salary spectrum:

The lowest 10 percent earned less than $51,690. This typically represents entry-level apprentices in lower-paying regions.
The highest 10 percent earned more than $116,560. This figure represents highly experienced journeymen, foremen, and specialists, particularly those in high-cost-of-living areas or who work extensive overtime.

It's crucial to understand that these BLS figures are a baseline. Reputable salary aggregators, which often include real-time data on overtime and other compensation, frequently report higher total earnings.

Salary.com, as of late 2023, reports the average Journeyman Lineman salary in the U.S. to be $93,891, with a typical range falling between $87,555 and $98,157.
Glassdoor reports a total pay average of around $101,475 per year, combining an estimated base pay of $83,000 with approximately $18,000 in additional pay, which can include overtime, bonuses, and per diems.
Payscale.com indicates a similar average base salary of around $82,000, but highlights the massive impact of overtime, which can add tens of thousands of dollars to a lineman's annual income.

### Salary Progression by Experience Level

A lineman's career is structured around a multi-year apprenticeship program. As an individual gains skills and experience, their pay increases in defined steps, culminating in the highly respected and well-compensated "Journeyman" status.

| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Apprentice Lineman (Steps 1-2) | 0-1 Year | ~50-60% of Journeyman wage. $45,000 - $60,000 | Learning fundamentals, stocking trucks, acting as ground support, basic climbing, observing and assisting Journeymen. Heavy focus on safety and tool identification. |

| Apprentice Lineman (Steps 3-5) | 1-3 Years | ~65-80% of Journeyman wage. $60,000 - $75,000 | Performing more complex tasks under direct supervision, operating bucket trucks, beginning to work on de-energized lines. Classroom training complements on-the-job experience. |

| Journeyman Lineman | 4+ Years (Post-Apprenticeship) | 100% of Journeyman wage. $85,000 - $115,000+ (Base) | Fully qualified to perform all tasks independently. Works on energized lines ("hot work"), leads smaller jobs, troubleshoots complex problems, and mentors apprentices. High potential for overtime. |

| Lineman Foreman / General Foreman | 8-15+ Years | Journeyman wage + premium. $110,000 - $150,000+ | Leads a crew of linemen. Responsible for job site safety, planning, execution, and communication with management. Requires strong leadership and organizational skills. |

*(Note: Salary ranges are estimates based on aggregated data from BLS, Salary.com, and Payscale, and can vary significantly based on the factors discussed in the next section.)*

### Beyond the Base Salary: Understanding Total Compensation

A lineman's W-2 at the end of the year often looks dramatically different from their base salary. Several key components contribute to a lineman's total earning potential, making it one of the most lucrative skilled trades.

Overtime Pay: This is the single biggest factor. Linemen are paid time-and-a-half, double-time, or even more for work beyond their standard 40-hour week. Storm restoration is the prime example. A lineman working 16-hour days for two weeks straight to repair hurricane or ice storm damage can earn a significant portion of their annual salary in that short period alone. Utilities and contractors are legally obligated to restore power, and they pay a premium for the linemen who do it.

Per Diem: Linemen who travel for work, especially contractor linemen who move from state to state for large projects or storm restoration, receive a daily allowance, or "per diem." This tax-free payment is meant to cover lodging, food, and incidental expenses. A typical per diem can range from $100 to $175 per day, adding up to thousands of extra dollars each month.

Hazard Pay: In some contracts, specific high-risk tasks, such as working on high-voltage transmission lines from a helicopter (a highly specialized skill), can come with additional hazard pay or a higher hourly rate.

Union Benefits (IBEW): A large percentage of linemen are members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). Union membership provides not only negotiated wage scales but also a robust benefits package that represents significant financial value. This often includes:
Defined-Benefit Pension Plans: A traditional pension that provides a guaranteed monthly income upon retirement, which is increasingly rare in the modern workforce.
Excellent Healthcare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance for the lineman and their family, often with much lower premiums and deductibles than non-union plans.
Annuity Plans: Additional retirement savings accounts funded by the employer.

Bonuses and Profit Sharing: While more common in non-union or corporate settings, some utilities and large contractors may offer performance-based bonuses or profit-sharing plans to their employees, further boosting annual income.

When you combine a strong base salary with guaranteed overtime opportunities, per diems, and world-class benefits, the total compensation package for a journeyman lineman easily positions it as a top-tier career choice among the skilled trades.

Key Factors That Influence a Lineman's Salary

While the national averages provide a solid benchmark, the actual salary a lineman earns is influenced by a complex interplay of factors. Understanding these variables is essential for anyone looking to maximize their earning potential in this field. This section breaks down the six most critical elements that determine how much a lineman takes home.

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1. Geographic Location

Where you work is arguably the most significant factor impacting your paycheck. Salary levels for linemen vary dramatically by state, region, and even between metropolitan and rural areas. This variation is driven by the cost of living, regional demand for skilled labor, the strength of local unions, and prevailing weather patterns.

High-Paying States and Regions:

States on the West Coast, the Northeast, and some in the Midwest consistently offer the highest wages for linemen. This is often due to a combination of high cost of living, strong union presence (IBEW), and robust infrastructure investment.

According to the BLS May 2023 data, the top-paying states for electrical power-line installers and repairers are:

1. California: Annual mean wage of $118,120

2. Washington: Annual mean wage of $112,850

3. New York: Annual mean wage of $107,430

4. Oregon: Annual mean wage of $107,310

5. New Jersey: Annual mean wage of $106,120

Metropolitan areas within these states often pay even more. For example, the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA metro area reports an annual mean wage of $131,310, making it one of the most lucrative locations in the country for a lineman.

Lower-Paying States and Regions:

Conversely, states in the Southeast and parts of the Great Plains tend to have lower average salaries. While the wages are lower, the cost of living in these areas is also significantly less, meaning a lineman's purchasing power can still be very strong.

Examples of states with lower average annual wages include:

Arkansas: Annual mean wage of $64,480
Mississippi: Annual mean wage of $65,650
South Carolina: Annual mean wage of $68,910

It's important to note that even in these states, experienced linemen working for major utilities or contractors can still earn excellent incomes, especially with overtime.

###

2. Company Type and Size

The type of organization a lineman works for plays a crucial role in their compensation structure, benefits, and work-life balance. There are four primary types of employers in the line industry:

Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs): These are large, publicly traded companies like Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), Con Edison, or Duke Energy.
Salary: IOUs generally offer very competitive, often union-negotiated wages and excellent benefits packages, including pensions and 401(k)s. They provide stable, long-term employment.
Work: The work is typically confined to the utility's specific service territory. This means less travel, but you are on call for all local outages.

Municipal Utilities & Public Utility Districts (PUDs): These are government-owned entities that serve a specific city or county, such as the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) or Seattle City Light.
Salary: Compensation is often on par with or even exceeds that of IOUs. Government benefits, including strong pensions and job security, are a major draw. These are often considered some of the most sought-after lineman jobs.
Work: Similar to IOUs, work is localized, providing a stable home life.

Rural Electric Cooperatives (Co-ops): These are non-profit, member-owned utilities that serve rural and less populated areas of the country.
Salary: Base wages might be slightly lower than at large IOUs or Munis, but they still offer competitive pay and solid benefits. The work environment is often praised for its strong sense of community and commitment to its members.
Work: Co-ops often have a smaller workforce, meaning linemen may have a broader range of responsibilities.

Contractors: These are private companies hired by utilities for specific projects, such as building new transmission lines, or to supplement their workforce during major storm restoration efforts.
Salary: Contractor linemen often have the highest earning potential, especially when "chasing storms." Their hourly "on-the-books" wage can be very high, and they work extensive overtime. They also receive per diem for travel. However, this comes at a cost.
Work: The work is transient. A contractor lineman might spend months in different states, living out of hotels. While the pay is excellent, the work can be less stable, and benefits like pensions may not be as robust as those offered by utilities. This path is often favored by younger, single linemen looking to maximize income quickly.

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3. Years of Experience and Career Progression

As detailed in the salary deep dive, experience is a direct driver of income. The structured path from apprentice to journeyman is the most significant pay jump in a lineman's career. An apprentice starts at a percentage of a journeyman's rate and receives incremental raises with every 1,000 hours of on-the-job training (OJT) and completion of classroom modules.

Apprentice (0-4 years): Earnings start around 50% of the journeyman scale and progress to 85-90% by the end of the program.
Journeyman (4+ years): Upon "topping out," a lineman's base wage immediately jumps to 100% of the negotiated scale. At this point, earning potential is primarily driven by overtime and specialization. A 5-year journeyman and a 15-year journeyman may have the same base hourly rate, but the senior lineman is more likely to be selected for lead roles or specialized, higher-paying tasks.
Foreman/Supervisor (8-15+ years): Moving into a leadership role comes with a significant pay premium. A foreman is responsible for the entire crew's safety and productivity and is compensated accordingly. Their salary is often calculated as the journeyman rate plus a set percentage (e.g., 10-15% more). This path offers a way to increase earnings without relying solely on overtime.

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4. Area of Specialization

Not all line work is the same. Specializing in certain areas of the trade can lead to higher pay, more challenging work, and greater career opportunities.

Distribution Lineman: This is the most common type of lineman. They work on the lower-voltage lines (typically below 69kV) that run through cities and neighborhoods, delivering power directly to customers. While it's the foundational skill set, it's also the most common, making it the benchmark for salary data.

Transmission Lineman: These specialists work on the high-voltage "superhighways" of the grid (69kV up to 765kV or more) that carry massive amounts of power over long distances from generation plants to substations.
Salary Impact: Transmission work is often considered more dangerous and technically demanding. The structures are larger (massive steel towers instead of wooden poles), and the clearances are more critical. As a result, transmission linemen, sometimes called "tramps," often earn a higher hourly rate than their distribution counterparts.

Substation Technician: These linemen specialize in building and maintaining electrical substations—the complex nerve centers where voltage is stepped up or down. This work involves intricate wiring, testing complex relays and circuit breakers, and requires a deep understanding of electrical theory. It is a highly sought-after and well-compensated specialty.

Telecommunications Lineman: A growing and distinct field. These linemen work with fiber-optic and coaxial cables for internet, phone, and television services. While the core skills of climbing and operating aerial lifts are similar, the work is with low-voltage communication lines, not high-voltage electrical lines.
Salary Impact: Generally, telecommunications linemen earn less than electrical power-line installers and repairers. The BLS groups them separately, reporting a lower median wage. However, demand in this sector is booming due to the nationwide rollout of 5G and fiber-to-the-home initiatives.

Helicopter Lineman: This is the elite of the elite. These highly specialized linemen perform maintenance and repair on transmission lines in remote or inaccessible terrain (like mountains or canyons) while suspended from a helicopter. The training is extensive, and the risk is extreme, making it the highest-paid specialization in the trade.

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5. Level of Education and Certifications

Unlike many professions, a four-year college degree is not a prerequisite for a high salary in the line trade. The "education" that matters most is vocational and hands-on.

High School Diploma/GED: This is the minimum requirement to enter an apprenticeship.
Commercial Driver's License (CDL): A Class A CDL is non-negotiable. It's impossible to become a lineman without one, as you will be required to operate heavy commercial vehicles like digger derricks and bucket trucks.
Pre-Apprenticeship Lineman School: Attending a dedicated lineman college (e.g., North American Lineman Training Center, Southeast Lineman Training Center) can be a significant advantage. These intensive programs (typically 10-15 weeks) teach fundamental skills, safety, and climbing techniques.
Salary Impact: While it costs money upfront ($15,000 - $20,000+), graduating from a respected lineman school makes an applicant far more competitive for coveted apprenticeship spots with top utilities and unions. By securing a better apprenticeship faster, it indirectly leads to higher lifetime earnings.
The Apprenticeship: This is the true "degree" in the line trade. Completing a 7,000-8,000 hour apprenticeship through a JATC (Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, a partnership between IBEW and NECA) or a utility-run program is what unlocks journeyman status and the corresponding high salary.
Certifications: While the Journeyman ticket is the ultimate certification, additional credentials can boost a resume and potentially lead to specialized roles. These include certifications in crane operation (NCCCO), advanced rescue techniques, and specific manufacturer equipment training.

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6. In-Demand Skills

Beyond formal qualifications, a specific set of hard and soft skills can directly impact a lineman's value and, consequently, their pay.

Hot-Sticking/Live-Line Work: The ability to safely work on energized power lines using insulated tools ("hot sticks") is a core journeyman skill. Mastery of these techniques is essential for top-tier jobs, as it allows for repairs without causing outages.
Underground Residential Distribution (URD): As more new neighborhoods are built with underground power lines, skills in splicing, terminating, and troubleshooting URD cable are in high demand.
Gloving: Working on live lines up to a certain voltage directly with rubber gloves is another critical, high-skill technique.
Troubleshooting and Diagnostics: The ability to logically and methodically diagnose complex problems in the grid is invaluable, especially during outages.
Leadership and Mentoring: As linemen gain experience, the ability to lead a crew, enforce safety, and effectively mentor apprentices is what paves the path to a foreman position and the higher salary that comes with it.
Adaptability to New Technology: The grid is becoming "smarter." Linemen who are comfortable working with new technologies, such as drones for line inspection, smart sensors, and advanced diagnostic equipment, will be more valuable in the future.

Job Outlook and Career Growth for Linemen

For those considering a long-term career as a lineman, the future is exceptionally bright. The demand for skilled electrical power-line installers and repairers is projected to be steady and robust, driven by a convergence of critical national priorities. This ensures not only job security but also continued strong wage growth for those in the profession.

The **U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (

The Ultimate Guide to the Salary of a Lineman: Powering Your Career and Earnings in 2024

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