Electrical linemen earn a median salary of $95,320 per year in 2026, according to BLS data — making it one of the top-paying trades in the US. Journeyman linemen earn a BLS median of $95,320 a year; foremen earn more, and union linemen generally out-earn non-union counterparts.
Pay at a Glance (BLS Data)
Bureau of Labor Statistics wage estimates for electrical power-line installers and repairers, across all industries:
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $51,470 | $24.75 |
| 25th | $67,270 | $32.34 |
| 50th (median) | $95,320 | $45.83 |
| 75th | $109,740 | $52.76 |
| 90th | $128,690 | $61.87 |
| Average (mean) | $91,970 | $44.22 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers (all industries). Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. “Not published” means BLS withheld the estimate, usually because wages are above its top reporting limit.
Lineman Salary Overview
By Experience Level
| Level | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Groundman / Pre-Apprentice | $20–$27 | $42,000–$56,000 |
| Apprentice Lineman (Year 1–2) | $24–$33 | $50,000–$69,000 |
| Apprentice Lineman (Year 3–4) | $31–$44 | $64,000–$91,000 |
| Journeyman Lineman | $40–$60 | $83,000–$125,000 |
| Foreman | $48–$72 | $100,000–$150,000 |
| General Foreman / Superintendent | $58–$88 | $121,000–$183,000 |
Median Annual Salary (BLS, May 2025)
- Electrical power-line installers and repairers: $95,320
- Top 10%: $128,690+
- Bottom 10%: $51,470
Line work is among the highest-paid trades in the US, with a BLS median of $95,320 for electrical power-line installers and repairers (May 2025).
Lineman Salary by State
| Rank | State | Avg Salary | Starting Salary | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $125,270 | $77,350 | $129,040 |
| 2 | Oregon | $123,490 | $77,330 | $131,090 |
| 3 | Washington | $122,100 | $80,640 | $133,060 |
| 4 | Hawaii | $118,110 | $81,120 | $134,340 |
| 5 | Idaho | $113,480 | $75,770 | $125,410 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $109,390 | $81,470 | $121,580 |
| 7 | Vermont | $108,630 | $89,450 | $108,520 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $108,040 | $81,470 | $110,210 |
| 9 | New York | $108,030 | $58,740 | $121,280 |
| 10 | Illinois | $107,820 | $72,820 | $108,120 |
| 11 | Connecticut | $107,700 | $46,960 | $126,850 |
| 12 | District of Columbia | $104,050 | $67,750 | $101,240 |
| 13 | Michigan | $103,680 | $65,480 | $106,890 |
| 14 | Rhode Island | $103,110 | $72,710 | $104,620 |
| 15 | Montana | $103,000 | $73,220 | $110,320 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | $101,970 | $64,550 | $106,230 |
| 17 | Minnesota | $101,860 | $78,390 | $104,180 |
| 18 | New Hampshire | $100,240 | $67,030 | $102,170 |
| 19 | North Dakota | $99,510 | $61,020 | $105,870 |
| 20 | Colorado | $97,770 | $59,170 | $103,980 |
| 21 | Maryland | $97,450 | $62,160 | $106,090 |
| 22 | Nevada | $96,380 | $65,000 | $96,560 |
| 23 | Wisconsin | $96,350 | $58,330 | $105,820 |
| 24 | South Dakota | $94,900 | $63,840 | $97,310 |
| 25 | Utah | $93,200 | $49,380 | $101,220 |
| 26 | Iowa | $92,740 | $65,310 | $100,200 |
| 27 | Alaska | $92,220 | $52,040 | $92,470 |
| 28 | Kansas | $92,150 | $50,510 | $101,620 |
| 29 | Delaware | $91,660 | $48,570 | $97,180 |
| 30 | Indiana | $91,190 | $53,290 | $102,040 |
| 31 | Missouri | $89,580 | $59,900 | $96,360 |
| 32 | Wyoming | $88,790 | $49,820 | $93,860 |
| 33 | Ohio | $88,330 | $58,840 | $93,150 |
| 34 | Nebraska | $87,800 | $52,930 | $92,150 |
| 35 | Maine | $86,320 | $52,190 | $83,090 |
| 36 | West Virginia | $85,000 | $47,760 | $83,810 |
| 37 | Florida | $84,900 | $50,690 | $86,870 |
| 38 | Arizona | $83,210 | $48,760 | $75,420 |
| 39 | Arkansas | $83,100 | $51,150 | $81,450 |
| 40 | Tennessee | $82,970 | $58,240 | $83,660 |
| 41 | Alabama | $82,460 | $44,150 | $92,030 |
| 42 | Georgia | $81,890 | $50,440 | $80,080 |
| 43 | Texas | $78,670 | $46,760 | $78,940 |
| 44 | Virginia | $78,430 | $49,520 | $76,590 |
| 45 | Oklahoma | $78,360 | $48,630 | $76,010 |
| 46 | Louisiana | $77,570 | $46,200 | $76,410 |
| 47 | North Carolina | $77,570 | $48,180 | $77,270 |
| 48 | Kentucky | $75,710 | $47,770 | $77,020 |
| 49 | South Carolina | $75,390 | $48,890 | $76,870 |
| 50 | New Mexico | $74,530 | $46,640 | $76,470 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $71,580 | $45,620 | $75,890 |
| — | National | $91,970 | $51,470 | $95,320 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 estimates, fetched 2026-09-29. Figures cover Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers (cross-industry). Some states are omitted where BLS did not publish a reliable estimate. Alaska pays the most due to extreme conditions, remoteness, and a small labor pool. Even in lower-wage states, lineman pay remains well above median US wages.
Lineman Types and Pay Ranges
| Type | Description | Annual Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| Distribution Lineman | Maintains local power lines (residential/commercial) | $80,000–$115,000 |
| Transmission Lineman | High-voltage transmission lines (115kV–765kV) | $88,000–$130,000 |
| Substation Technician | Substations and switching equipment | $85,000–$125,000 |
| Underground Cable Lineman | Buried cable installation and repair | $82,000–$118,000 |
| Telecommunications Lineman | Cable, fiber, and phone line work | $55,000–$80,000 |
| Tree Trimmer / Line Clearance | Utility tree work for line clearance | $55,000–$90,000 |
Transmission linemen work on the highest voltages and typically earn the most. Telecom linemen are paid substantially less than power linemen.
Union vs. Non-Union Linemen
The IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) is the dominant union for linemen:
| Factor | Union (IBEW) | Non-Union (Contract/Co-op) |
|---|---|---|
| Journeyman base wage | $48–$72/hr | $36–$55/hr |
| Benefits package | $18–$28/hr equivalent | Varies |
| Total compensation | $66–$100/hr | $38–$65/hr |
| Pension (defined benefit) | Standard IBEW benefit | Often 401k only |
| Apprenticeship | IBEW JATC (4 years) | Utility/co-op sponsored |
IBEW journeymen in California and New York receive total hourly packages (wages plus benefits) that make them among the highest-compensated workers in any trade.
Storm Restoration Pay — A Major Income Multiplier
Storm restoration is a massive income opportunity for linemen:
| Storm Type | Duration | Day Rate (Journeyman) |
|---|---|---|
| Minor storm (local) | 1–3 days | $800–$1,000/day |
| Regional storm (100k+ outages) | 3–14 days | $850–$1,100/day |
| Major hurricane (Cat 3+) | 2–6 weeks | $900–$1,200/day |
A lineman who travels for 3 major hurricane storms per year can add $15,000–$45,000 to annual income. Some contractors specialize in storm work and earn $150,000–$200,000+/yr but travel year-round.
Lineman Career Path
Groundman / Pre-Apprentice (1 year typical)
↓
IBEW JATC Apprentice (4 years)
↓
Journeyman Lineman
↓
Foreman
↓
General Foreman / Jobs Superintendent
↓
Contractor / Owner (private line contractors)
IBEW apprenticeship is the gold standard pathway. Pre-apprentice groundman work is typically required before entering a JATC program. Rural electric cooperatives also run their own apprenticeship programs.
How to Increase Your Earnings as a Lineman
| Strategy | Estimated Income Boost |
|---|---|
| Progress from distribution to transmission | +$8,000–$15,000/yr |
| Become a foreman | +$15,000–$35,000/yr |
| Sign up for storm restoration travel | +$15,000–$45,000/yr |
| Join a high-wage IBEW local | +$10,000–$30,000/yr |
| Move to a high-paying state | +$10,000–$40,000/yr |
| Move to contractor / crew owner | +$30,000–$100,000/yr |
| Get substation / relay tech training | +$10,000–$20,000/yr |
Job Outlook for Linemen
The BLS projects 10% job growth for electrical power-line installers through 2035. Demand drivers:
- Grid modernization: Aging transmission and distribution infrastructure requires massive investment
- Renewable energy: Solar and wind farms require transmission line buildout
- EV charging infrastructure: Distribution grid upgrades for load increase
- Storm hardening: Utilities investing in underground conversion and stronger overhead systems
- Retirement wave: Large share of current linemen within 5–10 years of retirement
The lineman trade has one of the strongest job security profiles of any skilled trade, with demand from utilities, contractors, and cooperatives that cannot be offshored or easily automated.
Lineman Income: Sample Monthly Budgets
Apprentice Lineman (Year 2) — $62,000/yr (Texas, single)
| Category | Monthly |
|---|---|
| Take-home pay (est.) | $4,200 |
| Housing (rent) | $1,100 |
| Transportation (truck) | $600 |
| Food & groceries | $500 |
| Utilities | $150 |
| Union dues | $80 |
| 401(k) contribution | $250 |
| Remaining | $1,520 |
Journeyman Lineman — $110,000/yr (Oregon, single)
| Category | Monthly |
|---|---|
| Take-home pay (est.) | $6,900 |
| Housing | $1,600 |
| Transportation | $700 |
| Food & groceries | $600 |
| Utilities | $200 |
| Union dues | $100 |
| 401(k) max contribution | $1,950 |
| Remaining | $1,750 |
Is It a Good Career?
Good fit for
- Those comfortable with heights — Non-negotiable requirement.
- Physically strong individuals — Climbing all day.
- Risk-tolerant personalities — Danger is inherent.
- Outdoor workers — No office time.
- People who can handle emergencies — Calm under pressure.
- Those willing to relocate for storms — Best money in disasters.
Poor fit for
- Fear of heights — Career disqualifier.
- Risk-averse personalities — Danger cannot be eliminated.
- Those with chronic health issues — Physical demands are extreme.
- Family wanting stable presence — On-call and storm travel.
- Those who dislike outdoor work — All weather, all conditions.
- Color-blind individuals — Wire identification issues.
- Drug/alcohol issues — Zero tolerance, random testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a lineman? Most entry points start as a groundman working for a utility or electrical contractor for 1–2 years, then applying to an IBEW Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) program. Apprenticeship runs 4 years with increasing wage steps (starting around 60% of journeyman rate and progressing to 95%). A commercial driver’s license (CDL) is often required.
Is lineman work dangerous? Yes — lineman is consistently ranked among the most dangerous occupations in the US. Electrical hazards, working at height (40–100+ feet), and outdoor conditions during storms create significant risk. Proper lockout/tagout procedures and PPE requirements exist for a reason. The danger is factored into the high wage.
What is the difference between a wireman and a lineman? wiremen (inside electricians) work on building electrical systems. Linemen work on the electrical distribution and transmission grid — the poles, towers, and substations. Both are IBEW unions but different locals. Linemen generally earn more.
Do linemen travel a lot? It depends on whether you work for a utility (typically local, regular schedule with overtime during outages) or a contractor (often regional or national travel). Storm restoration causes all linemen to potentially travel and work extended hours. Contractor linemen can spend 200+ days/year away from home for higher pay.
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