Home › Trades › Lineworkers (power-line installers)
How to become a lineworker
Most lineworkers have a high-school diploma and receive long-term on-the-job training; they typically complete an apprenticeship or other employer-sponsored training program, which may last up to three years and combines on-the-job training with technical instruction. Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers earned a median $95,320 a year in May 2025, and BLS projects 10.3% growth in the job count from 2025 to 2035, with about 10,900 openings a year. Typical entry education: high school diploma or equivalent.
The steps
- Finish high school or the equivalent. Lineworkers typically need a diploma or equivalent, and employers may prefer candidates with basic knowledge of algebra and trigonometry. Some community colleges offer programs leading to a one-year certificate or a two-year associate's degree that cover topics such as electrical distribution, line construction, and pole top and bucket rescue.
BLS wording
“Electrical line installers and repairers typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. Employers may prefer to hire candidates who have basic knowledge of algebra and trigonometry. ... Some community colleges offer programs for electrical power-line installers and repairers that lead to a 1-year certificate or 2-year associate's degree. These programs cover topics such as electrical distribution, line construction, and pole top and bucket rescue.”
- Enter an apprenticeship or employer training program. The programs may last up to three years and combine on-the-job training with technical instruction; some are administered jointly by the employer and the workers' union. Entry qualifications may include a diploma or equivalent, a year of high-school algebra or the college-level equivalent, a qualifying aptitude-test score and passing a substance abuse screening, and apprentices also may have to pass a fitness test.
BLS wording
“Electrical power-line installers and repairers typically complete apprenticeships or other employer-sponsored training programs. These programs, which may last up to 3 years, combine on-the-job training with technical instruction and are sometimes administered jointly by the employer and the union representing the workers. Qualifications to enter an apprenticeship program may include a high school diploma or equivalent, 1 year of high school algebra or the college-level equivalent, a qualifying score on an aptitude test, and passing a substance abuse screening. Apprentices also may have to meet physical requirements, including passing a fitness test.”
- Check CDL, certification and state requirements. Workers who drive heavy vehicles usually need a state-issued commercial driver's license, and workers who drive crews across state lines need an interstate CDL. Certification is available but not mandatory, and other requirements, such as medical or other certifications and minimum age, vary by state.
BLS wording
“Although not mandatory, certification is available for electrical power-line installers and repairers. ... Workers who drive heavy vehicles usually need a state-issued commercial driver's license (CDL). Workers who drive crews that cross state lines need an interstate CDL, which may have additional requirements regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Other requirements, such as medical or other certifications and minimum age, vary by state.”
- Reach journey level. After three or four years of working, qualified apprentices reach journey level and can perform most tasks without supervision. Experienced workers may become supervisors or trainers.
BLS wording
“After 3 or 4 years of working, qualified electrical power-line apprentices reach the journey level. A journey-level worker is no longer considered an apprentice and can perform most tasks without supervision. Experienced electrical power-line installers and repairers may become supervisors or trainers.”
Steps follow the Occupational Outlook Handbook: Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers, read 2026-09-23.
How long it takes
Apprenticeships and other employer-sponsored programs may last up to three years; qualified apprentices reach journey level after three or four years of working.
What it costs
No state license fee is sourced here for lineworkers.
License requirements by state
Do you need a license? Certification is available but not mandatory; workers who drive heavy vehicles usually need a state-issued CDL, and other requirements, such as medical or other certifications and minimum age, vary by state. No state licensing records are sourced here for lineworkers; the 51 state pages carry pay and employment.
Apprenticeships
Lineworkers typically complete an apprenticeship or other employer-sponsored training program. The programs may last up to three years, combine on-the-job training with technical instruction, and are sometimes administered jointly by the employer and the union representing the workers. The federal Apprenticeship Finder searches apprenticeship openings by occupation and by city, state or ZIP code. Apprenticeship Finder →
BLS wording
“Electrical power-line installers and repairers typically complete apprenticeships or other employer-sponsored training programs. These programs, which may last up to 3 years, combine on-the-job training with technical instruction and are sometimes administered jointly by the employer and the union representing the workers.”
U.S. Department of Labor records list 13,846 registered apprentices active across the 50 states and DC in fiscal year 2024 under the occupation titles DOL maps to electrical power-line installers and repairers; the state pages give each state's count and, where enough apprentices carry a wage DOL counts, the median starting and completing wages (how they are counted). Apprentice counts and wages in every state → · what those wages come to at your hours a week →
What lineworkers earn, by state
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers (SOC 49-9051) earned a national median of $95,320 a year in May 2025, $45.83 an hour, with 131,070 employed. Hawaii paid the most, $134,340, 41% above the national median.
Top five by median annual wage: Hawaii ($134,340), Washington ($133,060), Oregon ($131,090), California ($129,040), Connecticut ($126,850). Lowest five: Arizona ($75,420), Mississippi ($75,890), Oklahoma ($76,010), Louisiana ($76,410), New Mexico ($76,470).
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employed | Per 1,000 jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $134,340 | $64.59 | $81,120 | $144,170 | 600 | 1.0 |
| 2 | Washington | $133,060 | $63.97 | $80,640 | $147,810 | 2,340 | 0.7 |
| 3 | Oregon | $131,090 | $63.02 | $77,330 | $153,860 | 1,640 | 0.8 |
| 4 | California | $129,040 | $62.04 | $77,350 | $167,090 | 8,930 | 0.5 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $126,850 | $60.99 | $46,960 | $135,730 | 940 | 0.6 |
| 6 | Idaho | $125,410 | $60.29 | $75,770 | $131,140 | 860 | 1.0 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $121,580 | $58.45 | $81,470 | $126,350 | 1,310 | 0.3 |
| 8 | New York | $121,280 | $58.31 | $58,740 | $141,160 | 5,840 | 0.6 |
| 9 | Montana | $110,320 | $53.04 | $73,220 | $125,010 | 680 | 1.3 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $110,210 | $52.99 | $81,470 | $127,620 | 2,350 | 0.6 |
| 11 | Vermont | $108,520 | $52.17 | $89,450 | $125,680 | 270 | 0.9 |
| 12 | Illinois | $108,120 | $51.98 | $72,820 | $129,230 | 3,090 | 0.5 |
| 13 | Michigan | $106,890 | $51.39 | $65,480 | $131,570 | 2,800 | 0.6 |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | $106,230 | $51.07 | $64,550 | $122,510 | 4,150 | 0.7 |
| 15 | Maryland | $106,090 | $51.01 | $62,160 | $124,750 | 1,830 | 0.7 |
| 16 | North Dakota | $105,870 | $50.90 | $61,020 | $121,990 | 740 | 1.7 |
| 17 | Wisconsin | $105,820 | $50.88 | $58,330 | $119,850 | 2,520 | 0.9 |
| 18 | Rhode Island | $104,620 | $50.30 | $72,710 | $125,200 | 120 | 0.2 |
| 19 | Minnesota | $104,180 | $50.09 | $78,390 | $122,110 | 2,190 | 0.7 |
| 20 | Colorado | $103,980 | $49.99 | $59,170 | $131,360 | 2,370 | 0.8 |
| 21 | New Hampshire | $102,170 | $49.12 | $67,030 | $126,870 | 560 | 0.8 |
| 22 | Indiana | $102,040 | $49.06 | $53,290 | $116,720 | 2,540 | 0.8 |
| 23 | Kansas | $101,620 | $48.86 | $50,510 | $122,970 | 1,610 | 1.1 |
| 24 | District of Columbia | $101,240 | $48.67 | $67,750 | $132,900 | 150 | 0.2 |
| 25 | Utah | $101,220 | $48.66 | $49,380 | $124,180 | 1,030 | 0.6 |
| 26 | Iowa | $100,200 | $48.17 | $65,310 | $109,980 | 1,390 | 0.9 |
| 27 | South Dakota | $97,310 | $46.79 | $63,840 | $118,530 | 740 | 1.6 |
| 28 | Delaware | $97,180 | $46.72 | $48,570 | $119,790 | 330 | 0.7 |
| 29 | Nevada | $96,560 | $46.42 | $65,000 | $134,930 | 920 | 0.6 |
| 30 | Missouri | $96,360 | $46.33 | $59,900 | $115,740 | 3,440 | 1.2 |
| 31 | Wyoming | $93,860 | $45.12 | $49,820 | $119,810 | 670 | 2.4 |
| 32 | Ohio | $93,150 | $44.78 | $58,840 | $111,760 | 4,260 | 0.8 |
| 33 | Alaska | $92,470 | $44.46 | $52,040 | $139,750 | 490 | 1.5 |
| 34 | Nebraska | $92,150 | $44.30 | $52,930 | $118,040 | 1,490 | 1.5 |
| 35 | Alabama | $92,030 | $44.24 | $44,150 | $105,400 | 2,730 | 1.3 |
| 36 | Florida | $86,870 | $41.76 | $50,690 | $109,300 | 6,420 | 0.6 |
| 37 | West Virginia | $83,810 | $40.29 | $47,760 | $115,350 | 1,260 | 1.8 |
| 38 | Tennessee | $83,660 | $40.22 | $58,240 | $105,000 | 3,900 | 1.2 |
| 39 | Maine | $83,090 | $39.95 | $52,190 | $121,950 | 1,160 | 1.8 |
| 40 | Arkansas | $81,450 | $39.16 | $51,150 | $115,120 | 1,510 | 1.2 |
| 41 | Georgia | $80,080 | $38.50 | $50,440 | $116,900 | 4,960 | 1.0 |
| 42 | Texas | $78,940 | $37.95 | $46,760 | $107,550 | 17,280 | 1.2 |
| 43 | North Carolina | $77,270 | $37.15 | $48,180 | $105,430 | 5,650 | 1.1 |
| 44 | Kentucky | $77,020 | $37.03 | $47,770 | $102,400 | 2,930 | 1.5 |
| 45 | South Carolina | $76,870 | $36.96 | $48,890 | $102,860 | 2,690 | 1.2 |
| 46 | Virginia | $76,590 | $36.82 | $49,520 | $106,860 | 2,920 | 0.7 |
| 47 | New Mexico | $76,470 | $36.76 | $46,640 | $105,590 | 1,020 | 1.2 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $76,410 | $36.74 | $46,200 | $117,990 | 2,520 | 1.3 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $76,010 | $36.54 | $48,630 | $117,020 | 3,290 | 1.9 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $75,890 | $36.49 | $45,620 | $98,200 | 2,290 | 2.0 |
| 51 | Arizona | $75,420 | $36.26 | $48,760 | $124,300 | 3,360 | 1.0 |
"Per 1,000 jobs" is how concentrated the trade is in that state's workforce. A state can pay well and still have few openings; the employment column and this one together say how much of a market there is.
As files: pay by state (CSV) · pay by metro area (CSV) · all files and how to credit them.
Job outlook, 2025 to 2035
BLS projects 10.3% growth in employment from 2025 to 2035 (131,900 to 145,500 jobs) and about 10,900 openings a year over the decade, counting growth and replacement.
| Figure | 2025 | 2035 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | 131,900 | 145,500 | +13,600 (10.3%) |
| Openings a year, average | 10,900 | ||
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | ||
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, Table 1.2 Occupational projections, 2025–35, and worker characteristics, 2025, retrieved 2026-10-03. Openings count growth plus the workers who leave the occupation.
Common questions
How long does it take to become a lineworker?
Apprenticeships and other employer-sponsored programs may last up to three years; qualified apprentices reach journey level after three or four years of working.
Do you need a license to be a lineworker?
Certification is available but not mandatory; workers who drive heavy vehicles usually need a state-issued CDL, and other requirements, such as medical or other certifications and minimum age, vary by state.
How much do lineworkers make?
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers earned a median $95,320 a year in May 2025 ($45.83 an hour). The 10th to 90th percentile range is $51,470 to $128,690; Hawaii pays the most at $134,340.
What is the job outlook for lineworkers?
BLS projects 10.3% growth in employment from 2025 to 2035 (131,900 to 145,500 jobs) and about 10,900 openings a year over the decade, counting growth and replacement.
Sources
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers, read 2026-09-23: the steps, training length and licensing pattern.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates, retrieved 2026-10-03: every wage and employment figure. How the numbers are built.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, Table 1.2, retrieved 2026-10-03: growth, openings and entry education.