Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
Install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems. May erect poles and light or heavy duty transmission towers.
đŹCareer Video
đKey Responsibilities
- â˘Adhere to safety practices and procedures, such as checking equipment regularly and erecting barriers around work areas.
- â˘Drive vehicles equipped with tools and materials to job sites.
- â˘Open switches or attach grounding devices to remove electrical hazards from disturbed or fallen lines or to facilitate repairs.
- â˘Climb poles or use truck-mounted buckets to access equipment.
- â˘Install, maintain, and repair electrical distribution and transmission systems, including conduits, cables, wires, and related equipment, such as transformers, circuit breakers, and switches.
- â˘Inspect and test power lines and auxiliary equipment to locate and identify problems, using reading and testing instruments.
- â˘Coordinate work assignment preparation and completion with other workers.
- â˘Replace or straighten damaged poles.
đĄInside This Career
The power lineworker installs and maintains the electrical infrastructure that powers societyâclimbing poles, working from bucket trucks, and handling high-voltage equipment in conditions ranging from routine maintenance to emergency storm response. A typical day involves installation or maintenance work on electrical distribution systems. Perhaps 50% of time goes to installation and maintenanceâsetting poles, stringing wire, installing transformers, and maintaining equipment. Another 30% involves repairs: restoring power after outages, replacing damaged equipment, and responding to system problems. The remaining time splits between safety procedures, equipment preparation, and travel to work sites.
People who thrive as lineworkers combine physical capability with comfort at heights and genuine acceptance of work that involves both routine procedures and genuine danger. Successful lineworkers develop expertise in electrical systems while maintaining the safety discipline that prevents fatal mistakes. They respond to emergencies while managing the risks that high-voltage work involves. Those who struggle often cannot overcome fear of heights or cannot maintain the constant safety awareness that prevents accidents. Others fail because they cannot handle the demanding physical work or find storm restoration's unpredictable demands unsustainable.
Linework is among the most dangerous trades, with electrocution, falls, and weather hazards creating genuine risk. The profession maintains the electrical grid that modern life depends on. Lineworkers appear in discussions of infrastructure, storm response, and dangerous occupations. The work offers excellent compensation reflecting both skill requirements and risks.
Practitioners cite the excellent compensation and the pride in essential work as primary rewards. The pay is among the best in the trades. Restoring power after storms provides genuine community service. The outdoor work offers freedom from office environments. The brotherhood among lineworkers is strong. Common frustrations include the dangerous nature of the work and the emergency response that disrupts personal life, especially during storms. Many find the physical demands accumulating over career spans. The work takes lineworkers away from families during emergencies.
This career requires completing lineworker apprenticeship programs, typically three to four years. Strong physical capability and comfort with heights are essential. CDL licensing is required. The role suits those who can handle dangerous work and physical demands. It is poorly suited to those uncomfortable with heights, unable to handle physical demands, or unwilling to accept emergency callouts. Compensation is excellent, among the best in the trades, reflecting both skill and danger.
đCareer Progression
đEducation & Training
Requirements
- â˘Entry Education: High school diploma or equivalent
- â˘Experience: Some experience helpful
- â˘On-the-job Training: Few months to one year
Time & Cost
đ¤AI Resilience Assessment
AI Resilience Assessment
Growing + Low Exposure: Steady demand growth for work that AI cannot easily automate
How much of this job involves tasks AI can currently perform
Likelihood that AI replaces workers vs. assists them
(BLS 2024-2034)
How much this role relies on distinctly human capabilities
đťTechnology Skills
âKey Abilities
đˇď¸Also Known As
đRelated Careers
Other careers in installation-repair
đŹWhat Workers Say
20 testimonials from Reddit
A word of warning for the young bucks
With so many questions about getting into the trade, it seems important to know the rest of the story. Right now you are young and strong and badass. But this job doesnât just take your back and your knees, it also uses up all your fucks. By the time you retire, you will not have a fuck left to give. And you will end up wearing arc-rated daisy duke jorts on the daily. With no shame whatsoever. Take heart, though, because though my dad is old now and rocks these bad boys, he is still a badass. lineman.
A brief history- The OG Cutout
Developed in the early 1900s, the Plug-Type Cutout is considered to be the very first commercially produced primary cutout in the industry. Prior to its introduction, primary protection for pole transformers was all but non-existent, and outages on entire feeders due to transformer faults were fairly common. This type of cutout was developed and produced when companies such as General Electric and Westinghouse saw the need for transformer protection to alleviate these problems. Typical ratings for these cutouts were 2,500-3,000 volts, with fuse sizes from 30-50 amps maximum. These early cutouts relied on expulsion action to interrupt current flow, just as most modern cutouts do, albeit unconfined in a barrel or tube. Internal energized parts were in close proximity to each-other (and the operator), and were prone to arcing when attempting to break load. Injuries and fatalities sustained among linemen during operation of these cutouts were a frequent occurrence. They would often explode when closed in on a fault, sending porcelain shrapnel in every direction, or arc and burn/melt when pulled open under load. These characteristics, coupled with the fact that these had to be operated by hand, quickly earned them the nickname (suicide boxes) among linemen at the time. A practice was quickly developed among linemen of tying âmonkey tailsâ, a short piece of rope tied to the plug handle, with a monkeyâs fist knot at the other end. This allowed a lineman to grab and pull the plug from a greater distance, helping to lessen the hazard. In later years, special wooden âsafety sticksâ were developed to operate plug-type cutouts from a greater distance, increasing safety. These âsafety sticksâ would later lead to the development of the insulated switch stick. These cutouts saw widespread use, well into the 1920s, before feigning obsolescence in the 1930s, replaced by porcelain âchocolate boxesâ and open-type cutouts, which are the main type used today. Pictures 1-5 are of GE and Westinghouse plug-type cutouts, showing the stab/plug, and the inside contacts. Picture 6 is of a typical early 1900s transformer installation, showing plug-type cutouts mounted to the top crossarm. Picture 7 shows some new-old stock fuse links for plug-types. These links are 100 years old! Pictures 8-12 are vintage ads for plug-type cutouts, 1915-1921.
LIneman in South Korea
Hello! I'm someone working as a lineman in South Korea. I became curious about how linemen work overseas, so I searched and ended up here. In the case of the United States, since the supply voltage is different from Korea, I thought the work might be different as well, so I have a lot of questions. After reading through the posts, I noticed that the most fundamental difference seems to be that. In Korea, outdoor work without using aerial work vehicles is strictly prohibited. We are not allowed to perform work on utility poles with wearing fall protection gear. Two years ago, there were too many falling accidents, so Korea's public utility company, Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), enforced this ban. Itâs probably due to differences in industrial structure and culture. Koreaâs power market is regulated by the government and is not privatized. Therefore, Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) is responsible for the electricity supply across the entire country. For new installations, demolitions, maintenance, and other projects, they outsource the work to partner companies like the one I work for. So, field workers in outdoor construction cannot decide on the work methods autonomously. Also, in Korea, 90% of the work is done as "live-line" work, meaning without cutting off the power. Because of this, when working on 22.9kV high-voltage lines, the only possible method is to use insulated sticks to work from a distance. The work of directly touching high-voltage lines with insulated gloves was prohibited three years ago. Iâm not sure about overseas, but in Korea, there is a specific process to become a lineman. You start as a ground-level assistant doing general tasks, then move on to work on utility poles while wearing fall protection gear, and finally, you get trained to operate aerial work vehicles to become a lineman. Due to the ban on working with fall protection gear, it has become really difficult for new workers, or apprentices, to learn the job in Korea. Fortunately, Iâm transitioning to a new company where Iâll be responsible for aerial work vehicles starting next year, becoming an 'live-line' worker, even though I had to give up better conditions to join a company with worse ones. Currently, in Korea, if you want to become a lineman, you have to give up living like a normal person for the first few years, hahaha In Korea, a ground-level assistant worker earns $223 for a 10-hour day(not 8hrs lol). Linemen without their own aerial work vehicles earn $373 a day, while linemen with their own aerial work vehicles earn $746. These amounts are based on the current broken exchange rate in South Korea. Also, the salaries above are for a small number of freelancers who are members of labor unions. The majority of workers are full-time employees at subcontractor companies of Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), with entry-level workers earning $1,700/month, mid-level workers earning $2,700, and senior linemen earning around $7,800. ...I want to go abroad.... If you have any questions, free to ask. My English isn't that great, so there might be some mistranslations here and there! If my English level improves, I would love to work in a country like yours, but realistically, it might be impossible, right? lol https://preview.redd.it/dr15ympnnk9e1.jpg?width=2992&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1a353b87aea7e199dee35cdf7e5d142ae578004a https://preview.redd.it/p834vppnnk9e1.jpg?width=1800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c32c69d4ab0190dda81028f3bd444ac343c589a8 https://preview.redd.it/jz6pappnnk9e1.jpg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=69cca81a786755d40024abca5c37d198f364d844 https://preview.redd.it/c21dfqpnnk9e1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=785922577ede0d1706758ef0240a23aae506badf
Positivity!
Took a damn long time, left the military, non union to union Groundman and managed to score well with hard work, studying and effort. I'm now a IBEW Indetured apprentice through MO Valley! If you want it you can get it!
IBEW Journeyman Lineman / apprentice trauma
I went through and completed an IBEW Journeyman Lineman apprenticeship. While I somehow found a way to complete it and earn the classification of Journeyman Lineman; I cannot do the job. I found the apprenticeship to be so traumatizing, when I take a call I cannot get past feeling stressed, inadequate and full of anxiety, because I was demoralized and treated like shit for 3+years every day on the job, I lack confidence in my skills and ability and feel like I do not fit in. I forced myself to finish the program, thinking it would be and feel different when I topped out. No more getting treated like shit, feeling like shit, being constantly criticized and scrutinized in every and any way. I think the work environment and culture is completely toxic in every way. Aside from being treated like shit for years, I was shocked and still am by the way these grown men treat other grown men, no human should treat another the way they do and the way it is just accepted in the trade. Racism is rampant and widely accepted, which I find to be disgusting and unacceptable in any form. Locker room talk about women. Nepotism across the board. If you are part of the good ole' boys club you can get away with anything, if you're not, you are pushed out. I bet you can guess by now I'm not a part of that club and never will be. I've not been able to keep a job more than 2-3 months since completing the apprenticeship a little over 2 years ago. All the guys will be decent to your face and talk shit to everyone behind your back like immature teenagers. I've accepted it is not for me. I know I'm not the only person that feels like this. Another very fucking challenging part of my apprenticeship was the travel. I didn't work one day at home, I traveled for the whole thing. My home local is a sticking local and all I did my whole apprenticeship was travel and glove. Topped out and was worthless as a JL at home which also fed and feeds into the lack of confidence piece. I asked the director of my program more than once to work local and get stick time and it fell on def ears. I've since traveled some and done some sticking, not a ton but I kinda get it. I'm most likely getting out of the trade, there is no amount of money worth my mental health. There are millions of people out there making a much better living than JL's working much less. We are glorified hole diggers. Too much machismo and ego. How you make your money is more important than how much you make. I've been unemployed more than employed since I topped out a little over 2 years ago. I get so much anxiety about the idea of being on the right of way I can't bring myself to sign the books. I've racked up more cc debt than I ever thought I would have. I'm not going to spend 2 days around people I don't care for, let alone 20 years just because "it's a great job". For some it is. For many it isn't, which explains high rates of divorce and all the alcohol and drug abuse. Just my 2 cents.
Does anyone want to learn first anymore?
Is it me or does every kid out of climbing school want to be apprentice immediately? I remember having to wait at least a year before a JATC would even interview you for an apprenticeship. What happened to being a Groundman for a couple years before becoming an ape. I hate the fact that a 1st step ape doesnât know basic work methods like⌠digging, making up downguys, make stingers, etc..basic Groundman shit. I think crews need to bring back the âcut in gruntâ. And kids should be more interested in learning the basics than trying to get in the air.
Topped out in September.
I HATED being an apprentice. For the APâs that are struggling. You will reap the rewards of your hard work! It will come, head down and work hard. I learned more these pasts few months as a JL then I did my last year as an apprentice. The lineman are not joking when they say this is when you really start learning. IBEW LOCAL 309 Proud!
Take care of your body
Apprentice here, trying to make an awareness post. Just tweaked the crap out of my back hooking up a ratchet strap tying down a spool of 4/0 quad and now I can't move. Don't forget to stretch and drink plenty of water. Take care of your body.
How to deal with a "journeyman" that doesnt know a damn thing
Title says it all, I'm a journeyman at a small muni...only 4 of us...3linemen and one apprentice... The lineman that has been here for 10 years doesnt know anything really...he has only worked in this one small town and was taught by morons apparently... Can't even set a pole....took 7 hours the other day to set one pole...I sat back and watched the shit show unfold...he acts as if he is the lead lineman which I guess he is being here the longest... Its frustrating for me who knows butt loads more than him to watch him, and gives mesecond hand embarassment...also I feel for my safety and the safety of his and the others...also I feel he is a bad example for our apprentice.....so I do triple the work and do my best to take the apprentice under my wing so we dont do a disservice to him and his learning.... Anyone deal with someone like this before? Wish we could push him out to an office job or a meter reader... Maybe I'm just venting too, but my lord is it scary to watch and frustrating End rant
Held for about a week after Milton
Was going through some pictures from last storm season and came across this. Had a trouble call about a week after we came off storm schedule for bad rear lot tx no truck or machine access. Iâm walking out the line and come across a low hanging tree and find this gem. My thoughts âgreat work T manâ. So we think weâre just gonna double deadend the open wire and send her home. Apprentice started loading up the pot and the cap stand hoist that they drug all the way to the backyard through wet muddy grass on a dolly back to the front yard while we close it in and tested voltage at the meter. Close it in, no bang so weâre thinkin jack pot, test voltage⌠pots bad. We laughed a couple days later but at the time it sucked. Yâall stay safe
What are the main reasons you see somebody wash out of an apprenticeship or even journeymen?
Basically title. Iâd be curious to know what some of the common reasons are for people deciding to leave this trade. Journeyman, ground man, or an apprentice.
Why does everyone insist on running the steel stage out on the line truck?
i try to tell the fellers i work with from apprentices to JLs that the steel stage in the line truck lowers lifting capacity and to run the 3rd stage (fiberglass) stage out first and then if you need to then run the steel stage out. As an apprentice, i donât want to try to overstep my boundaries, but why do the JLs i work with not know this? i feel like you should if you are gonna be operating the trucks. They even sometimes do it when setting poles, I donât even touch the pole when they do that stuff. it ainât even worth it to touch the pole if the second stage is run out first when hot setting a pole.
Job safety
So the GF has it out for me or something. He keeps commenting on how Iâm âtoo slowâ and just stand around. I donât understand what he expects out of a new apprentice. Mind you itâs my 1st month. Already got written up once for not knowing how to do certain things. Aka I donât just stand around I always have something in my hands even if itâs picking up trash, setting poles, setting ground. And even if I donât know how to frame quite yet. Iâm there. Learning and observing. Any advice on how to get this GF off my back
How to become a Journeyman Lineman
#How To Become a Journeyman Lineman >MILITARY. If you are currently serving in the military or recently separated (VEEP up to 5 years) there are several programs specifically for you to help you transition into skilled trades. This will give you the most direct and sure opportunity to become a Lineman. Please check out the [Military Resources Wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/Lineman/wiki/index/military_resources/) to learn about these great programs and see if you qualify. #Journeymen Linemen Journeymen Linemen are High voltage workers who are responsible for the installation, maintenance and repair of electric infrastructure. It can range from working on large transmission towers to being in a crowded vault. Linemen work in all weather conditions and at all hours. Heat, cold, wind, rain, snow and everything else. It involves time away from home, missed holidays and birthdays etc. The steps to becoming a Journeyman Lineman generally involve working your way up from the bottom. First you work as a Laborer or a Groundman (Linehelper, Apprentice Trainee, Etc). These are entry level positions. These positions involve menial tasks that introduce you to the trade. You'll be stocking the trucks, getting tools, running the handline, cleaning off trucks and getting trucks ready to go at the start of shift. Here you will become familiar with methods, tools and materials used in the trade. Sometimes you can get into the trade as a first step apprentice. Next you have to become an apprentice. Apprenticeships are around 3.5 years. Being an apprentice involves the obvious. You will now begin formal training to reach Lineman status. You will learn to do the work of a Lineman in incremental steps until you top out. # Apprenticeships ***IBEW Union apprenticeships:*** you must interview and get indentured in your local jurisdiction. This is the most recognized apprenticeship. You will be able to get work anywhere with a union ticket. Union utility companies may offer in house NJATC apprenticeships as well. ***DOL (Department of Labor) apprenticeships:*** This is a typically non-union apprenticeship sanctioned by the DOL. It is around 5 steps then you are a B-Lineman, then you become an A-Lineman. This is not recognized by the IBEW, but you can test in to an IBEW Lineman. ***Company apprenticeships:*** These are generally non IBEW and non DOL and are the lowest rung and only recognized by your company. If you leave or the company goes out of business, you don't have a ticket sanctioned by the IBEW or DOL. ***Take Note:*** Please be aware there are different types of Lineman apprenticeships. There are apprenticeships that are "Transmission" only, or "URD" (Underground) only. These are not interchangeable with the Journeyman Lineman certification. # Where do you start? Bare minimum age is 18 years old. The follow job credentials will make your job hunt more successful. In order of importance. 1. Unrestricted CDL (Commercial Drivers License) Usually required for outside construction. Some utilities may have a grace period before you need to have it. 2. First Aid/CPR 3. Flagger Training 4. OSHA 10 Construction(if you are new to working on jobsites) 5. OSHA 10 ET&D (Electrical Transmission and Distribution) # Line School >Line school can give you experience you otherwise wouldn't have, which in some cases could be beneficial. ***Line school may offer you all the previous credentials listed as well***. Some job postings will require 1-3 yrs related experience or completion of line school. Some places like California it's probably a good idea to have it. However not everyone requires it. Lineschools are generally an expensive undertaking. Many take out loans to pay for them. Not everyone believes they are of value. It is suggested to try to get in as a groundman first or look to community colleges or other trade schools that are more affordable. It is highly recommended to do research before you commit to going into debt. Not everyone makes it in the trade. Having a large debt is not something to be taken lightly # Finding work, understanding the trade. There's working directly for a utility(working for the residents the utility serves) which one stays within that utility's service area. If you're looking to work for a certain employer, check their website for desired qualifications. Then there's working for outside construction. This is who does the heavy lifting. Outside has to potential to earn more than being at a utility. For many jobs you'll work 5+ days a week and 10-12 hour days. This also is a traveling job. You go where the work is. Especially as an apprentice. Union vs Non-union. Besides the obvious, this can be affected by location. The west coast is 100% union. Places like Louisiana and Kentucky are strongly non-union. Some utilities are union and some are not. Same with outside construction. Utilities and non-union construction hire directly. For Union jobs in outside construction you must get dispatched from the âout of workâ books(books). Utility companies are union or non-union. Union âbooks.â Each area has a union hall that has jurisdiction over that area for construction and has a set of "out of work" books for each class. Lineman, apprentice, groundman and so on. When a contractor has a position to fill, they call the hall to send someone. The hall will begin calling the first person on âBook 1â then go down the list until they fill all the calls for workers they have. Book 1 will be local members with 1500-2000 hrs. Book 2 will be travelers and locals with less hours. Book 3 will be doesn't meet hours etc. Created 8/23/25 DM u/ca2alaska for corrections and suggestions * [Link to Resources](https://www.reddit.com/r/Lineman/wiki/resources/)
Do some utilities try to âtrapâ apprentices based on the designation they receive at the end of their apprenticeship?
I saw a post the other day and a commenter had pointed out that utilities are increasingly using the designation of âpower line technicianâ or âpower line mechanicâ or just something other than âjourneyman linemanâ as a way of keeping the apprentices they train sort of âtrappedâ at that utility. By not having the âjourneyman linemanâ on the ticket, you canât transition to outside construction work, and are thus sort of âstuckâ at that utility - is the point they were making. Is this true? And if so, what can be done about it?
Started as a lineman and need an adjacent career path
Looking for suggestions for jobs I could get into that benefit from my experience/training. Been working at a municipality for a year at apprentice 1. Graduated line school with all certs. Iâm very good technically and actually have some experience in gis. This job was unfortunately too stressful/ dangerous for me and my wife to want me to continue. Anything helps! More money for yall !
Switching from Truck Driver to Lineman
Mid 20s. Currently driving trucks. I currently make around $46/hr (CPM) doing no-touch drop and hooks. I only work 7 hours days with no option to work more. I feel I have reached the pinnacle of my current line of work and am looking to increase my salary. Most trucking jobs pay much less and require extremely long hours to make low six-figures. I have worked in Foodservice with Sysco and am no stranger to long hours. I used to do 14 hour days, so what I currently do feels part-time. I have heard that becoming a Lineman is a lucrative -- but hard career. I have no problem with hard physical work, and know how important safety is. > Is it worth it for me to become a Lineman? My current financial goals need me to make around 120k as a minimum. I don't care if I have to work extremely long hours (80+) to get it. I'd see it as an investment towards my future. And if I work long hours, I would prefer to use it gaining valuable experience in this trade, whereas I feel with truck driving it remains a dead-end job with little job security. I'd appreciate your thoughts on this matter, thank you.
Aerial Lineman Salary (helicopter)
I'm just curious how much on average helicopter based aerial lineman get paid. Seems really dangerous and badass so I'd assume it's significantly higher than normal lineman but I don't know, and googling salaries is notoriously inaccurate. I'm pretty sure you only need to be a journeyman but I was figuring it'd be more like master electrician pay if not higher. Also side question, what does the helicopter itself cost to run?
How accurate are these salary figures?
[https://www.linemancentral.com/lineman-pay-by-state](https://www.linemancentral.com/lineman-pay-by-state) If I'm not mistaken, those are baseline pays that don't take into account overtime or union membership. I'm asking because I'm a bit puzzled by a few of these estimates, especially Florida being lower than Mississippi.
Looking for advice
25M married with 2 young kids. Currently an equipment operator at the top of my company, boss man wants to make me a superintendent but wants me to go salary for less money than I want. I have quite a bit of underground experience with conduit to the point where I can get sent to my own jobs and complete them. I have a few very good connections with one of the major power companies in my area. At my current company I do not have any benefits I know that if I switch over my family and I will be taken care of. Is it too late for me to make the switch in careers? I mainly want to become a lineman for the betterment of myself and my family. Thanks for any advice.
đData Sources
Work as a Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers?
Help us make this page better. Share your real-world experience, correct any errors, or add context that helps others.