Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2024
How to Become a Electrical Power-Line Tech (2024)
Electrical · 4-year apprenticeship · SOC 49-9051
Electrical Power-Line Techs earn a national median of $101,512 per 2024 BLS data, with the 90th percentile reaching $147,680 in Seattle. The standard path is a 4-year registered apprenticeship — paid from day one, no four-year degree required.
What Does a Electrical Power-Line Tech Do?
Electrical power-line technicians install and maintain the electrical transmission and distribution lines that deliver power from generating stations to consumers.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities
- Install and maintain overhead and underground power lines
- Work with high-voltage transmission systems
- Respond to storm damage and outages
- Install transformers and substations
- Test and inspect electrical equipment
The Path: How to Become a Electrical Power-Line Tech
- 1
Finish high school or earn a GED
Most apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED. Strong math (especially algebra and geometry) and reading skills matter for trade exams and blueprint work. - 2
Find a registered apprenticeship
Search apprenticeship.gov for registered programs in your area. Programs are sponsored by unions, contractor associations, or individual employers. Application windows are usually annual. - 3
Complete the 4-year apprenticeship
Apprentices spend roughly 8000+ hours on the job paired with a journeyman, plus 144 classroom hours per year. Pay starts around $69,010 and steps up each year — see the timeline below. - 4
Pass the journeyman exam
Most states require a written + practical exam to earn the journeyman license. The exam covers code knowledge, safety, and practical work scenarios. Pass rates vary 50-80% on the first attempt. - 5
Earn certifications and (optionally) the master license
Layer on specialty certifications (Journeyman lineman certification) to access higher-paying work. Most states offer a master license after 2-4 additional years of journeyman experience — required for independent contracting in many states. - 6
Climb to the top decile
Top earners ($147,680 in Seattle) typically reach the 90th percentile through specialization, foreman/supervisor roles, union membership, or running a small contracting business.
Electrical Power-Line Tech Apprentice Pay Timeline
Hourly wage progression based on industry-standard apprenticeship pay schedules. Actual rates vary by local union or contractor agreement.
| Year | Stage | Hourly | Annual (2,080 hr) | % of Journeyman |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Apprentice | $42/hr | $87,360 | 86% |
| Year 2 | Apprentice 2 | $55/hr | $114,400 | 112% |
| Year 3 | Apprentice 3 | $72/hr | $149,760 | 147% |
| Year 4 | Pre-journeyman | $90/hr | $187,200 | 184% |
| Journeyman | Licensed | $49/hr | $101,512 | 100% |
| Master / Top 10% | Specialist / Foreman | $71/hr | $147,680 | 145% |
Required Certifications & Licenses
- ✓Journeyman lineman certification
- ✓CDL Class A
- ✓OSHA 10/30-Hour
- ✓Live-line tools certification
- ✓CPR and first aid
Skills You'll Need to Build
Work Environment
Power-line technicians work outdoors at extreme heights on utility poles and transmission towers. One of the most dangerous occupations. Storm restoration requires long hours and travel.
Job Outlook
Strong demand driven by grid modernization, renewable energy interconnection, and aging workforce. Significant overtime opportunities during storm season.
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Electrical Power-Line Tech Pay by City
The highest-paying metros for electrical power-line techs, with cost-of-living-adjusted pay so you can compare real take-home.
| City | Median | Top 10% | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | $130,730 | $147,680 | B |
| San Francisco, CA | $128,470 | $181,300 | B |
| Los Angeles, CA | $127,810 | $164,930 | B |
| Portland, OR | $125,160 | $137,630 | B |
| Las Vegas, NV | $120,260 | $131,660 | B |
| New York, NY | $119,760 | $138,790 | B |
| Phoenix, AZ | $117,990 | $129,560 | B |
| Philadelphia, PA | $115,770 | $122,890 | B |
| Boston, MA | $115,430 | $124,760 | B |
| Chicago, IL | $114,030 | $125,710 | B |
Frequently Asked Questions
Most electrical power-line techs complete a 4-year registered apprenticeship — typically 8000+ hours of paid on-the-job training plus 144 classroom hours per year. After completing the apprenticeship and passing the journeyman exam, you can work independently. Master-level certification (where applicable) usually takes another 2-4 years of journeyman experience.
No. Electrical Power-Line Techs do not require a four-year college degree. The standard credential is a journeyman license earned through a paid apprenticeship registered with the U.S. Department of Labor at https://www.apprenticeship.gov/. Some workers complete a 1- or 2-year certificate at a community or trade college before applying — but the journeyman license is what employers actually require.
Electrical Power-Line Tech apprentices typically start at $69,010 per year (10th percentile) and progress upward each year of the apprenticeship. By year 3, pay usually reaches the 50th percentile around $101,512. All training is paid — apprentices are W-2 employees of contractors or unions, not students paying tuition.
Common electrical power-line tech certifications include: Journeyman lineman certification; CDL Class A; OSHA 10/30-Hour; Live-line tools certification; CPR and first aid. Most states also require a journeyman license; some have a separate master license for independent work.
Electrical Power-Line Techs earn a national median of $101,512 (Trade Pay Score grade B), wages have grown 7% over the past 5 years, and the BLS counts roughly 39,600 electrical power-line tech jobs nationwide. The work is physically demanding and the apprenticeship is real, but the trade clears the bar for living-wage, debt-free career entry.
The U.S. Department of Labor maintains a searchable database of registered apprenticeship programs at https://www.apprenticeship.gov/. Local building trades councils, IBEW/UA/IUPAT/IBB union halls, and trade school career offices also place candidates directly. Most apprenticeships have one open application window per year — check listings early.
Wage figures from BLS OEWS 2024. Apprentice pay schedules from industry-standard registered programs. Career outlook from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 2032 projections.