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Job title · SOC 49-9051

Lineworker (public power utility)

Also known as: lineman

01

Overview

Sourced

Install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems. May erect poles and light or heavy duty transmission towers.

O*NET definition of Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers (SOC 49-9051) · Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed.

15,190
in government (SOC 49-9051)
12%
of this occupation works for government
$92,150
median pay in government
Local · Federal
levels of government

Titles employers use

Electrical LinemanLineworkerPower LinemanService ManClass Gloving Electrical LinemanClass Rubber Gloving LinemanElectrical LineworkerPower Lineman TechnicianThird Step LinemanTroubleman
How people usually get in Editorial
apprenticeship (municipal utilities, PUDs, TVA). Requirements vary by employer; each employer page will list its exact rules.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership; U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database; GovJobs Wiki (editorial). Data captured September 30, 2026.

02

Requirements

Sourced
Typical entry requirements (BLS, SOC 49-9051)
Education needed to enter
High school diploma or equivalent
Related work experience
None
On-the-job training
Long-term on-the-job training

Education workers say the job requires

Less than a High School Diploma
18%
High School Diploma or the equivalent
50%
Post-Secondary Certificate
19%
Some College Courses
10%
First Professional Degree
3%

Share of surveyed workers in Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers (SOC 49-9051) naming each level as required to be hired, 23 respondents, O*NET survey August 2021. Each employer sets its own minimum.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4); U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

03

How to get hired

Sourced

To enter the occupation, electrical power-line installers and repairers typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. To become proficient, they typically require technical instruction and on-the-job training. Apprenticeships are common.

From the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile “Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers”, published August 27, 2026 · Read the full profile. National guidance; each employer runs its own hiring process.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–35 edition (XML compilation). Data captured September 30, 2026.

04

Academy and training

Sourced
Training to become competent (BLS)
SOC 49-9051
Long-term on-the-job training
Preparation level (O*NET)
Job zone
Very Little to Some Preparation Needed

Academy length, curriculum and paid-training policies are set by each employer and state; they are part of the employer collection stage.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4). Data captured September 30, 2026.

06

Promotion ladder

Editorial

Apprenticeship: apprenticeship → journeyman → lead/foreman. Typical structure for a apprenticeship trade; titles, steps and timing differ by employer.

  1. Apprentice (steps as % of journey rate)
  2. Journeyman
  3. Lead / Foreman
  4. Supervisor

Source: GovJobs Wiki (editorial).

07

Pay

Sourced
Federal
$111,900
State
$86,010
Local
$90,060
All government
$92,150
Private sector
$95,560

Median annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.

Employer typeWorkers10th pct.25thMedian75th90th
Federal1,870$71,030$83,760$111,900$133,910$147,990
State170$48,300$53,980$86,010$99,490$122,970
Local13,150$51,670$66,370$90,060$107,590$126,400
All government15,190$52,630$69,660$92,150$109,080$131,060
Private sector115,880$51,240$66,760$95,560$109,980$128,550

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.

08

Schedule

Sourced
Work schedule
Regular
30%
Irregular
70%
Seasonal
0%
Typical work week
Less than 40 hours
0%
40 hours
41%
More than 40 hours
59%

Share of surveyed workers in the occupation (O*NET work context, August 2021). Shift patterns and differentials depend on the employer.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

12

Day-to-day work

Sourced
  1. Adhere to safety practices and procedures, such as checking equipment regularly and erecting barriers around work areas.4.8
  2. Drive vehicles equipped with tools and materials to job sites.4.8
  3. Open switches or attach grounding devices to remove electrical hazards from disturbed or fallen lines or to facilitate repairs.4.7
  4. Climb poles or use truck-mounted buckets to access equipment.4.5
  5. Install, maintain, and repair electrical distribution and transmission systems, including conduits, cables, wires, and related equipment, such as transformers, circuit breakers, and switches.4.5
  6. Inspect and test power lines and auxiliary equipment to locate and identify problems, using reading and testing instruments.4.5
  7. Coordinate work assignment preparation and completion with other workers.4.5
  8. Replace or straighten damaged poles.4.4
  9. String wire conductors and cables between poles, towers, trenches, pylons, and buildings, setting lines in place and using winches to adjust tension.4.4
  10. Attach cross-arms, insulators, and auxiliary equipment to poles prior to installing them.4.4

The 10 most important of 22 core tasks for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of August 2021.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

13Derived
Custodian (schools & public buildings)
Same job family
Fleet Mechanic (city/county)
Same job family
Heavy Equipment Operator (government)
Same job family
Parks / Grounds Maintenance Worker
Same job family
Public Works / Street Maintenance Worker
Same job family
Sanitation Worker / Refuse Collector
Same job family
Sewer / Collection System Worker
Same job family
Stationary Engineer (public facilities)
Same job family
16

By state

Sourced

Median annual wage for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers (SOC 49-9051) in each state, all employers (BLS state estimates do not separate government from private). Highest first.

StateWorkers10th pct.Median90th pct.
Hawaii600$81,120$134,340$144,170
Washington2,340$80,640$133,060$147,810
Oregon1,640$77,330$131,090$153,860
California8,930$77,350$129,040$167,090
Connecticut940$46,960$126,850$135,730
Idaho860$75,770$125,410$131,140
New Jersey1,310$81,470$121,580$126,350
New York5,840$58,740$121,280$141,160
Montana680$73,220$110,320$125,010
Massachusetts2,350$81,470$110,210$127,620
Vermont270$89,450$108,520$125,680
Illinois3,090$72,820$108,120$129,230
Michigan2,800$65,480$106,890$131,570
Pennsylvania4,150$64,550$106,230$122,510
Maryland1,830$62,160$106,090$124,750
North Dakota740$61,020$105,870$121,990
Wisconsin2,520$58,330$105,820$119,850
Rhode Island120$72,710$104,620$125,200
Minnesota2,190$78,390$104,180$122,110
Colorado2,370$59,170$103,980$131,360
New Hampshire560$67,030$102,170$126,870
Indiana2,540$53,290$102,040$116,720
Kansas1,610$50,510$101,620$122,970
District of Columbia150$67,750$101,240$132,900
Utah1,030$49,380$101,220$124,180
Iowa1,390$65,310$100,200$109,980
South Dakota740$63,840$97,310$118,530
Delaware330$48,570$97,180$119,790
Nevada920$65,000$96,560$134,930
Missouri3,440$59,900$96,360$115,740
Wyoming670$49,820$93,860$119,810
Ohio4,260$58,840$93,150$111,760
Alaska490$52,040$92,470$139,750
Nebraska1,490$52,930$92,150$118,040
Alabama2,730$44,150$92,030$105,400
Florida6,420$50,690$86,870$109,300
West Virginia1,260$47,760$83,810$115,350
Tennessee3,900$58,240$83,660$105,000
Maine1,160$52,190$83,090$121,950
Arkansas1,510$51,150$81,450$115,120
Georgia4,960$50,440$80,080$116,900
Texas17,280$46,760$78,940$107,550
North Carolina5,650$48,180$77,270$105,430
Kentucky2,930$47,770$77,020$102,400
South Carolina2,690$48,890$76,870$102,860
Virginia2,920$49,520$76,590$106,860
New Mexico1,020$46,640$76,470$105,590
Louisiana2,520$46,200$76,410$117,990
Oklahoma3,290$48,630$76,010$117,020
Mississippi2,290$45,620$75,890$98,200
Arizona3,360$48,760$75,420$124,300

51 states with published estimates.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Not yet collected

These dimensions are part of every job page. We publish them only once they are sourced from official documents such as job postings, pay plans, union contracts and state standards.

  • 05 Probation
    Probation length and what ends it
    Not yet collected
  • 09 Benefits and pension
    Pension plan and formula, retirement age and years, DROP, retiree health, Social Security coverage, 457(b) and PSLF eligibility
    Not yet collected
  • 10 Union contracts
    Bargaining unit, union and the current contract, with its source and effective dates
    Not yet collected
  • 11 Transfers and lateral entry
    Lateral entry policy, certification reciprocity, lateral bonuses and moves between agencies
    Not yet collected
  • 14 Exam practice
    Named entrance and licensing exams, with free practice tests where they exist
    Not yet collected
  • 15 Employer directory
    Every public employer that hires this job, with its own pay and rules
    Not yet collected