What does a lineworker do?
- Install and maintain overhead and underground power lines.
- Climb poles or work from bucket trucks to reach equipment.
- Restore power after storms and outages.
- Inspect and test lines, transformers and other equipment.
Where do lineworkers work?
- Outdoors, in every kind of weather
- High on utility poles and towers
- Along roads, neighborhoods and rural lines
Is a career as a lineworker right for you?
It could be a good fit if:
- You like working outdoors and don't mind heights.
- You stay calm and careful when the stakes are high.
- You want to be the person who gets the power back on.
How to become a lineworker
Most lineworkers start with a high school diploma, then learn through technical instruction and on-the-job training. Apprenticeships through utilities and unions are common, and some people attend a line-worker school first.
How much do lineworkers make?
The median pay for lineworkers in the U.S. was $95,320 a year in May 2025, and most earned between $51,470 to $128,690 a year. Median pay describes the whole trade, not a first-year wage: pay usually rises with experience, licenses and specialty.
Lineworker pay by state
| State | Median annual wage |
|---|---|
| United States | $95,320 |
| Massachusetts | $110,210 |
| New Hampshire | $102,170 |
Job outlook for lineworkers
U.S. employment of lineworkers is projected to change by +10% (much faster than average) from 2025 to 2035, with about 10,900 openings each year on average. There were 131,900 lineworker jobs in the U.S. in 2025.
Things to know
- Median pay describes the whole trade, not a first-year wage. Pay rises with experience and skills.
- This is one of the more hazardous trades: work involves high voltage, often at great heights. Training is built around safety.
- Many lineworkers work more than 40 hours a week, especially when restoring power after storms.
Lineworker FAQ
What does a lineworker do?
Electrical power-line installers and repairers, often called lineworkers, install and repair the cables and wires that carry electricity from power plants to homes and businesses. Typical work includes: install and maintain overhead and underground power lines; climb poles or work from bucket trucks to reach equipment; restore power after storms and outages; inspect and test lines, transformers and other equipment.
How do you become a lineworker?
Most lineworkers start with a high school diploma, then learn through technical instruction and on-the-job training. Apprenticeships through utilities and unions are common, and some people attend a line-worker school first.
How much do lineworkers make?
The median pay for lineworkers in the U.S. was $95,320 a year (May 2025, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers). Most earn between $51,470 to $128,690 a year. Pay varies by state, experience and specialty.
Are lineworkers in demand?
U.S. employment of lineworkers is projected to change by +10% (much faster than average) from 2025 to 2035, with about 10,900 job openings each year on average (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Which states pay lineworkers the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest-paying states for lineworkers were Massachusetts ($110,210), New Hampshire ($102,170), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Sources
Figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Wayforge is a career-planning tool, not an official licensing source; always confirm requirements with your state licensing board.