Introduction
Every time the lights come on, a power-line worker had something to do with it. Electrical power-line installers and repairers—often simply called “linemen”—are the professionals who build, maintain, and repair the network of power lines that delivers electricity to homes, businesses, and industries.
It’s a physically demanding and sometimes hazardous career, but also one of the most essential. Without lineworkers, the grid fails, outages spread, and modern life grinds to a halt. If you’re looking for a career that combines outdoor work, technical skill, and high earning potential, this might be one of the best options in skilled trades.
What Do Power-Line Installers and Repairers Do?
The work involves both installation of new power lines and ongoing maintenance:
- Installing new power lines and poles to expand the electrical grid.
- Repairing downed lines after storms, accidents, or equipment failures.
- Maintaining existing lines to prevent outages.
- Climbing poles or using bucket trucks to access high-voltage systems.
- Working with underground cables in some cases.
- Using specialized equipment to test, splice, and connect lines.
- Following strict safety protocols when working with high-voltage systems.
This is one of the most physically active and safety-critical roles in electrical work.
Skills You’ll Need
Being a lineman requires strength, skill, and sharp focus:
- Physical stamina – Climbing, lifting, and working outdoors in all weather.
- Electrical knowledge – Understanding high-voltage systems.
- Problem-solving – Quickly diagnosing and fixing power failures.
- Attention to detail – Mistakes can be deadly when working with electricity.
- Teamwork – Lineworkers typically operate in crews.
- Courage & resilience – Comfort with heights and hazardous conditions.
Education & Training
This role requires structured, hands-on training:
- High school diploma or GED – Required.
- Apprenticeship – Most lineworkers enter a 4-year apprenticeship program through unions or utilities.
- On-the-job training – Apprentices learn under experienced journeymen.
- Certifications – OSHA safety training, CDL (commercial driver’s license), and electrical certifications.
- Continuous training – Required to stay updated on grid technology and safety.
This is a trade where you earn while you learn, apprentices are paid during training.
Salary & Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):
- Median annual salary: About $82,340 (2023 data).
- Top 10% earners: Over $110,000/year.
- Hourly wage: Roughly $40/hour.
Job outlook:
- Employment is projected to grow 2–3% through 2032—steady demand.
- Major growth is driven by renewable energy integration and aging infrastructure upgrades.
- Lineworkers also see spikes in demand after storms and natural disasters.
Work Settings
Power-line installers and repairers typically work for:
- Utilities – Electric companies maintaining the power grid.
- Contracting firms – Building and repairing power systems.
- Government agencies – Maintaining public energy infrastructure.
- Renewable energy companies – Connecting solar and wind farms to the grid.
Work is almost always outdoors, in urban, rural, and remote environments.
Career Growth Opportunities
This field offers clear advancement options:
- Journeyman lineman – Full credential after apprenticeship.
- Crew leader/foreman – Supervising lineworker teams.
- Field supervisor – Overseeing operations for a utility.
- Safety trainer – Teaching new apprentices.
- Transition roles – Moving into utility management or electrical engineering (with further education).
Would You Actually Like It?
This is a career for people who want physical, adventurous, and high-responsibility work. It’s rewarding but also tough.
You’ll likely enjoy it if you:
✅ Like working outdoors and with your hands.
✅ Want a career with strong pay and job security.
✅ Don’t mind heights or challenging environments.
✅ Enjoy teamwork and structured training.
You might not enjoy it if you:
❌ Are uncomfortable with heights or electricity.
❌ Want a low-risk or indoor job.
❌ Dislike physically demanding work.
My MAPP Fit
Here’s where the MAPP Career Assessment becomes invaluable.
Power-line workers often align with MAPP profiles emphasizing physical activity, mechanical aptitude, teamwork, and resilience. If your results show motivation for hands-on, high-responsibility careers, this could be a strong fit.
👉 Is this career path right for you? Find out Free with the MAPP Career Assessment.
