Specific Trades
Lineman
A tradesperson who installs, maintains, and repairs electrical power lines, telecommunications cables, and related infrastructure on utility poles and towers.
What It Means for Trade Workers
Linemen, also called line workers or power-line technicians, are the tradespeople who build and maintain the electrical grid that powers the country. Classified under SOC code 49-9051, they work on high-voltage transmission lines, distribution systems, substations, and increasingly, renewable-energy interconnections. Lineman apprenticeships run three to four years, typically through the IBEW or through utility company programs, and include extensive training in climbing techniques, hot-line work, rigging, transformer installation, and safety procedures. The work is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous trades due to the combination of working at extreme heights, handling energized conductors at voltages up to 765,000 volts, and operating in severe weather during storm-restoration events. Because of the danger and the specialized skills required, linemen are among the highest-paid trade workers in the country. Storm work and overtime can push annual earnings well above six figures, and per diem payments during travel assignments add further compensation. The growing demand for grid modernization, renewable-energy integration, and electric-vehicle infrastructure is creating unprecedented demand for linemen. Many utilities and contractors report severe shortages. TradePay data reflects the strong earnings and demand with consistently high Trade Pay Scores for linemen.
Frequently Asked Questions
A tradesperson who installs, maintains, and repairs electrical power lines, telecommunications cables, and related infrastructure on utility poles and towers.
Linemen, also called line workers or power-line technicians, are the tradespeople who build and maintain the electrical grid that powers the country. Classified under SOC code 49-9051, they work on high-voltage transmission lines, distribution systems, substations, and increasingly, renewable-energy interconnections. Lineman apprenticeships run three to four years, typically through the IBEW or through utility company programs, and include extensive training in climbing techniques, hot-line work, rigging, transformer installation, and safety procedures.