Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers Salary

The median electrical power-line installers and repairers salary in the United States is $95,320 per year ($45.83/hour). Salaries range from $51,470 at the entry level to $128,690+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 131,070 electrical power-line installers and repairers jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 6.6% through 2034.

Last updated: June 2026 Β· Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Also known asLinemanLine WorkerPower Line Worker
Median Salary
$95,320
per year
Hourly Rate
$45.83
per hour
Employment
131,070
jobs in the U.S.

Salary Distribution

10th percentile
$51,470
25th percentile
$67,270
Median
$95,320
75th percentile
$109,740
90th percentile
$128,690

Job Growth (2024-2034)

+6.6%
Faster than average

Annual Openings

10,700
jobs/year (growth + replacements)

Education Required

High school diploma or equivalent

Training Needed

Long-term on-the-job training

Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers Career Guide

Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for electrical power-line installers and repairerss.

Power line workers (lineworkers) install + maintain overhead + underground power distribution + transmission for utilities. Apprentice $52-72k; journeyman $85-125k; senior/specialty $105-165k; foreman $135-205k; storm response OT can push top earners to $250-400k+. Union (IBEW) protected + pension. Dangerous but well-paid trade with excellent benefits. Massive shortage = sign-on bonuses + steady work.

Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For

Overhead + underground line work
Distribution + transmission + splicing + terminating + insulator + hardware + specific voltages.
Bucket truck + climbing
Aerial work + wood + metal + composite poles + fall protection + specific climbing techniques.
Electrical safety + PPE
Rubber gloves + FR clothing + specific voltage limits + LOTO + arc flash + safety-first culture.
Storm restoration + emergency response
Storm damage assessment + high-hazard work + specific restoration + long hours + coordination.
Blueprint reading + schematics
One-line + specifications + specific system understanding + coordination with engineers.
Equipment operation
Bucket trucks + digger derricks + cranes + specific specialty equipment + regular inspection.
Team + supervisor coordination
Crew leadership + safety huddle + specific work planning + document + specific communication.

How to Become a Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

  1. 1
    Get high school + physical fitness
    Physical fitness + able to climb + no fear of heights + specific PPE tolerance.
  2. 2
    Apply for utility apprenticeship (IBEW/utility)
    3-4 year apprenticeship + $52-72k starting + graduated raises. Highly competitive.
  3. 3
    Complete OJT + classroom + certifications
    8,000-10,000 hours OJT + 600-800 classroom hours + specific certifications + safety training.
  4. 4
    Advance to journeyman + specialty
    $85-125k journeyman. Add transmission + underground + specific specialty for premium.
  5. 5
    Move to foreman + supervisor + specialty crews
    $135-205k at 10-15 years foreman. Superintendent + trainer paths.

Career Progression

Apprentice
0-4 yrs$52-78k (progressing)
  • β€’Support journeyman crews
  • β€’Learn safety + techniques
  • β€’Attend classroom + OJT hours
  • β€’Complete progression
Next: Journeyman at year 4-5.
Journeyman Lineworker
4-10 yrs$85-135k + OT
  • β€’Independent line work
  • β€’Storm response
  • β€’Mentor apprentices
  • β€’Specialty (underground + transmission)
Next: Sr/Foreman at 8-15 years.
Sr Lineworker / Crew Foreman
8-15 yrs$125-195k + OT (top storm can hit $300k+)
  • β€’Crew of 3-6
  • β€’Complex work + storm command
  • β€’Safety + specific protocols
  • β€’Client + engineer coordination
Next: Superintendent at 15+ years.
Superintendent / Line Trainer / Specialty Manager
15+ yrs$155-245k+ (contractor higher)
  • β€’Multi-crew coordination
  • β€’Training + safety programs
  • β€’Regional or specialty leadership
  • β€’Budget + regulatory
Next: Director + owner contract firms.

Interview Questions & Answers

5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 13 total plus resume bullets for every level.

Q1. Walk me through a routine restoration call.technical
Dispatch + assess + secure area + LOTO + repair (bucket or ground) + energize + close out + document.
Q2. How do you handle an unexpected energized wire?situational
Stop + assume energized + secure + verify with meter + LOTO + coordinate with dispatch + never assume.
Q3. Describe your safety approach.technical
PPE + rubber gloves + specific voltage limits + LOTO + arc flash + tailgate + never rush.
Q4. Tell me about storm response.behavioral
STAR: dispatch + crew + specific damage + safe restoration + coordination + rest.
Q5. Where do you see career in 5 years?closer
Journeyman + specialty (transmission + underground) + potentially foreman path.

Resume Template β€” Apprentice (0-4 yrs)

Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.

Apprentice (0-4 yrs)
  • β–ΈCompleted 3 of 4 years IBEW apprenticeship + 7,200 OJT hours + 620 classroom hours.
  • β–ΈPassed CDL + specific climbing + safety certifications + rubber glove testing.
  • β–ΈAssisted on 45+ storm restoration events + zero safety incidents in 3 years.
  • β–ΈCross-trained on bucket + digger + underground + urban + rural distribution.

What Gets You Rejected

  • βœ—Fear of heights or physical demands.
  • βœ—Weak safety mindset.
  • βœ—Cant work storm/emergency hours.
  • βœ—Attendance issues.
  • βœ—Poor teamwork.
  • βœ—Safety incidents.

Salary Negotiation Levers

  • βœ“Union scale (IBEW) sets floor + steps + pension.
  • βœ“Storm restoration OT + travel = major income boost.
  • βœ“Transmission + underground specialty = 10-25% premium.
  • βœ“Foreman + supervisor = major pay jumps.
  • βœ“Contract lineworker work rates: $65-95/hr = $135-195k equivalent + no benefits.
  • βœ“Metro + specialty utilities pay premium.
  • βœ“Sign-on: $5-25k common due to shortage.

Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers Resume Review β€” $29

Personalized resume review from someone who has hired electrical power-line installers and repairerss. Purchase, email your resume to support@weblabra.com, and receive detailed written feedback within 7 days.

  • βœ“ Occupation-specific critique (not generic)
  • βœ“ Rewrite suggestions for weak bullets
  • βœ“ Missing skills / keywords flagged
  • βœ“ Formatting + ATS-readability feedback
  • βœ“ 7-day turnaround, 100% refund if we miss it

Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers Career Kit β€” $19

  • βœ“ All 13 interview questions with expert answers
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  • βœ“ 30–60–90 day plan for your first role
  • βœ“ Cover letter templates specific to this occupation
  • βœ“ Detailed salary negotiation script
  • βœ“ Ranked list of certifications with cost + ROI
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Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers Salary by State

Best Cities (cost-adjusted) β†’

Salary Map β€” Click a state for details

$75K
$134Kβ–  No data

Top Paying States

Hawaii
$134K
+41%
Washington
$133K
+40%
Oregon
$131K
+38%
California
$129K
+35%
Connecticut
$127K
+33%
Idaho
$125K
+32%
New Jersey
$122K
+28%
New York
$121K
+27%
Montana
$110K
+16%
Massachusetts
$110K
+16%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
StateMedianvs. National
Hawaii$134,340+40.9%
Washington$133,060+39.6%
Oregon$131,090+37.5%
California$129,040+35.4%
Connecticut$126,850+33.1%
Idaho$125,410+31.6%
New Jersey$121,580+27.5%
New York$121,280+27.2%
Montana$110,320+15.7%
Massachusetts$110,210+15.6%
1–10 of 51

Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers Salary by Metro Area

Metro AreaMedianvs. National
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$157,620+65.4%
Eugene-Springfield, OR$140,270+47.2%
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$137,180+43.9%
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA$135,450+42.1%
Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY$135,400+42.0%
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$135,300+41.9%
Urban Honolulu, HI$135,080+41.7%
El Centro, CA$134,950+41.6%
Salem, OR$134,500+41.1%
Fresno, CA$134,150+40.7%
1–10 of 263
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A electrical power-line installers and repairers earning $95,320/year would need 625 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 671 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
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πŸ“ˆ See how electrical power-line installers and repairers salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers salary trend (2011–2024) β†’