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Energy
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A Career as an Electrical Line Worker

network of power lines that cables that carry electricity, fiber-optic cables Electrical line installers and repair-
moves electricity from gen- are made of glass and transmit signals using ers often must complete apprenticeships or
erating plants to customers. light. Working with fiber optics requires special other employer training programs. These pro-
They routinely work with skills, such as the ability to splice and termi- grams, which can last up to 3 years, combine
high-voltage electricity, which nate optical cables. Additionally, workers use on-the-job training with technical instruction
requires extreme caution. The specialized equipment to test and troubleshoot and are sometimes administered jointly by
electrical current can range cables and networking equipment. the employer and the union representing the
from hundreds of thousands of workers. The basic qualifications to enter an
volts for long-distance trans- How to Become a Line Installer or apprenticeship program are as follows:
mission lines that make up the Repairer • Minimum age of 18
power grid to less than 10,000 Education • High school education or equivalent
volts for distribution lines that Most companies require line installers
supply electricity to homes and and repairers to have a high school diploma or • One year of algebra
businesses. equivalent. Employers prefer candidates with • Qualifying score on an aptitude test
Line workers who main- basic knowledge of algebra and trigonometry. • Pass substance abuse screening
tain the interstate power grid Line installers and repairers who work
Pay work in crews that travel to In addition, technical knowledge of electric-
A lineman’s pay varies significantly by locations throughout a large region to service ity or electronics obtained through military for telecommunications companies typically
experience, but the average annual salary is transmission lines and towers. Workers service, vocational programs, or community receive several years of on-the-job training.
around $85,900. Entry-level apprentices can employed by local utilities work mainly with colleges can also be helpful. They also may be encouraged to attend train-
expect to earn approximately $48,220 per year, lower voltage distribution lines, maintaining Many community colleges offer programs ing from equipment manufacturers, schools,
while experienced journeyman linemen can equipment such as transformers, voltage regu- in telecommunications, electronics, or electric- unions, or industry training organizations.
After 3 to 4 years of working, qualified
earn over $100,000 annually. lators, and switches. ity. Some programs work with local companies line workers reach the journey level. A journey-
Job Outlook Telecommunications line installers and to offer 1-year certificates that emphasize level line worker is no longer considered an
The job outlook for linemen is excellent, repairers install and maintain the lines and hands-on field work. apprentice and can perform most tasks without
with projected growth of 7% from 2024 to cables used by network communications More advanced 2-year associate’s degree supervision. Journey-level line workers also
2034, which is much faster than the average for companies. Depending on the service pro- programs provide students with a broad may qualify for positions at other companies.
all occupations. vided—local and long-distance telephone, knowledge of the technology used in tele- Workers with many years of experience may
communications and electrical utilities. These
cable television, or Internet—telecommunica- become first-line supervisors or trainers.
What Line Installers and Repairers Do tions companies use different types of cables, programs offer courses in electricity, electron-
Electrical power-line installers and repair- including fiber-optic cables. Unlike metallic ics, fiber optics, and microwave transmission. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,
ers install and maintain the power grid—the Training Occupational Employment Statistics

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