Lineworker training programs & pay
Average pay $91,970 (all experience levels); median $95,320; top 10% earn over $128,690. Electrical power-line installers and repairers build and maintain the transmission and distribution lines that move electricity from power plants to homes. Training usually runs through utility or contractor apprenticeships, often after a short pre-apprenticeship lineworker school.
- $91,970Average pay (U.S., all experience levels)
- $51,470Entry-level / bottom 10%
- $95,320Median pay (U.S.)
- $128,690Top 10% earn over
131,070 jobs nationwide · 376 listed programs in 43 states. Average = BLS mean across all experience levels, not starting pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15. O*NET 49-9051.00.
Highest-paying states (BLS median)
BLS wage data
What lineworkers earn
As of the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15, lineworkers in the United States earned an average (mean) of $91,970 a year across all experience levels, with a median of $95,320; the entry-level / bottom 10% figure (10th percentile) was $51,470 and the top 10% earned more than $128,690.
Annual wages for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers (SOC 49-9051) from the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15. It is in our Average pay $65k+ (all experience levels) group: the national average (mean, all experience levels) is $91,970; the median is $95,320 and the entry-level / bottom 10% figure is $51,470.
| Area | 10th pct | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | 90th pct | Mean | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $51,470 | $67,270 | $95,320 | $109,740 | $128,690 | $91,970 | 131,070 |
Training & tuition
What training costs
Tuition comes only from published College Scorecard figures. Apprenticeship sponsors do not publish tuition in federal files, so they show “Contact program.”
| Program group | Lowest | Middle | Highest | What the figure is |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schools with published tuition (304) | $852 | $4,766 | $25,986 | College Scorecard annual tuition & fees (in-state low end; out-of-state high end where they differ) |
| Registered apprenticeship sponsors (71) | Contact program | Not published in the DOL file. Registered apprenticeships are usually paid jobs with related classroom instruction. | ||
Occupation profile
| O*NET-SOC code | 49-9051.00 |
|---|---|
| O*NET title | Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers |
| BLS SOC | 49-9051 |
| Job zone | Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed |
| Sample job titles | Class Gloving Electrical Lineman, Class Rubber Gloving Lineman, Electrical Lineman, Electrical Lineworker, Lineworker, Power Lineman |
Typical tasks (O*NET)
- Adhere to safety practices and procedures, such as checking equipment regularly and erecting barriers around work areas.
- Drive vehicles equipped with tools and materials to job sites.
- Open switches or attach grounding devices to remove electrical hazards from disturbed or fallen lines or to facilitate repairs.
- Climb poles or use truck-mounted buckets to access equipment.
- Install, maintain, and repair electrical distribution and transmission systems, including conduits, cables, wires, and related equipment, such as transformers, circuit breakers, and switches.
Programs
Featured power-line worker programs
12 of 376 listed programs, schools with published tuition first. Pick a state below for the full list.
| Program / provider | Location | Type | Graduates 2023-24 | Tuition | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpena Community College Lineworker | Alpena, MI | Certificate (1-2 years) | 55 | $5,430–$8,250 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 46.0303 |
| Alpena Community College Lineworker | Alpena, MI | Associate degree | 44 | $5,430–$8,250 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 46.0303 |
| Arkansas State University-Newport Lineworker | Newport, AR | Certificate (1-2 years) | 31 | $3,432–$4,872 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 46.0303 |
| Ashtabula County Technical and Career Campus Electrical and Power Transmission Installers, Other | Jefferson, OH | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 18 | $14,500 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 46.0399 |
| Atlanta Technical College Lineworker | Atlanta, GA | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 39 | $3,382–$5,950 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 46.0303 |
| Atlantic Technical College Lineworker | Coconut Creek, FL | Certificate (2-4 years) | 0 | $4,766 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 46.0303 |
| Berk Trade and Business School Electrical and Power Transmission Installation/Installer, General | Long Island City, NY | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 136 | $13,200 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 46.0301 |
| Berks Career & Technology Center Electrical and Power Transmission Installers, Other | Leesport, PA | Certificate (1-2 years) | 0 | $10,320 Tuition & fees, largest program (program-year school) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 46.0399 |
| Bismarck State College Lineworker | Bismarck, ND | Certificate (1-2 years) | 33 | $6,037–$8,246 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 46.0303 |
| Bismarck State College Lineworker | Bismarck, ND | Associate degree | 8 | $6,037–$8,246 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 46.0303 |
| Blackhawk Technical College Lineworker | Janesville, WI | Certificate (1-2 years) | 15 | $4,361–$6,196 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 46.0303 |
| Blue Mountain Community College Electrical and Power Transmission Installation/Installer, General | Pendleton, OR | Associate degree | 0 | $7,211–$9,956 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 46.0301 |
By state
Lineworker pay and programs by state
Highest state medians:
| State | Listed programs | Median pay | 90th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1 | $92,030 | $105,400 | 2,730 |
| Alaska | 0 | $92,470 | $139,750 | 490 |
| Arizona | 14 | $75,420 | $124,300 | 3,360 |
| Arkansas | 4 | $81,450 | $115,120 | 1,510 |
| California | 18 | $129,040 | $167,090 | 8,930 |
| Colorado | 9 | $103,980 | $131,360 | 2,370 |
| Connecticut | 0 | $126,850 | $135,730 | 940 |
| Delaware | 2 | $97,180 | $119,790 | 330 |
| District of Columbia | 0 | $101,240 | $132,900 | 150 |
| Florida | 17 | $86,870 | $109,300 | 6,420 |
| Georgia | 19 | $80,080 | $116,900 | 4,960 |
| Guam | 0 | $64,650 | $114,390 | 50 |
| Hawaii | 0 | $134,340 | $144,170 | 600 |
| Idaho | 9 | $125,410 | $131,140 | 860 |
| Illinois | 7 | $108,120 | $129,230 | 3,090 |
| Indiana | 6 | $102,040 | $116,720 | 2,540 |
| Iowa | 10 | $100,200 | $109,980 | 1,390 |
| Kansas | 10 | $101,620 | $122,970 | 1,610 |
| Kentucky | 0 | $77,020 | $102,400 | 2,930 |
| Louisiana | 5 | $76,410 | $117,990 | 2,520 |
| Maine | 1 | $83,090 | $121,950 | 1,160 |
| Maryland | 0 | $106,090 | $124,750 | 1,830 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | $110,210 | $127,620 | 2,350 |
| Michigan | 13 | $106,890 | $131,570 | 2,800 |
| Minnesota | 16 | $104,180 | $122,110 | 2,190 |
| Mississippi | 10 | $75,890 | $98,200 | 2,290 |
| Missouri | 6 | $96,360 | $115,740 | 3,440 |
| Montana | 1 | $110,320 | $125,010 | 680 |
| Nebraska | 7 | $92,150 | $118,040 | 1,490 |
| Nevada | 0 | $96,560 | $134,930 | 920 |
| New Hampshire | 2 | $102,170 | $126,870 | 560 |
| New Jersey | 3 | $121,580 | $126,350 | 1,310 |
| New Mexico | 3 | $76,470 | $105,590 | 1,020 |
| New York | 12 | $121,280 | $141,160 | 5,840 |
| North Carolina | 7 | $77,270 | $105,430 | 5,650 |
| North Dakota | 2 | $105,870 | $121,990 | 740 |
| Ohio | 16 | $93,150 | $111,760 | 4,260 |
| Oklahoma | 12 | $76,010 | $117,020 | 3,290 |
| Oregon | 24 | $131,090 | $153,860 | 1,640 |
| Pennsylvania | 13 | $106,230 | $122,510 | 4,150 |
| Puerto Rico | 2 | $77,050 | $86,810 | 600 |
| Rhode Island | 0 | $104,620 | $125,200 | 120 |
| South Carolina | 5 | $76,870 | $102,860 | 2,690 |
| South Dakota | 5 | $97,310 | $118,530 | 740 |
| Tennessee | 1 | $83,660 | $105,000 | 3,900 |
| Texas | 49 | $78,940 | $107,550 | 17,280 |
| Utah | 3 | $101,220 | $124,180 | 1,030 |
| Vermont | 0 | $108,520 | $125,680 | 270 |
| Virginia | 1 | $76,590 | $106,860 | 2,920 |
| Washington | 9 | $133,060 | $147,810 | 2,340 |
| West Virginia | 7 | $83,810 | $115,350 | 1,260 |
| Wisconsin | 9 | $105,820 | $119,850 | 2,520 |
| Wyoming | 5 | $93,860 | $119,810 | 670 |
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FAQ
Lineworker pay and training: quick answers
How much do lineworkers make?
As of the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15, lineworkers in the United States earned an average (mean) of $91,970 a year across all experience levels, with a median of $95,320; the entry-level / bottom 10% figure (10th percentile) was $51,470 and the top 10% earned more than $128,690.
What is entry-level pay for lineworkers?
BLS does not publish a starting wage. The closest federal figure is the 10th percentile, which we label entry-level / bottom 10%: $51,470 a year nationally in the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15. The median is $95,320.
Which states pay lineworkers the most?
By BLS average (mean) annual wage, the top states are California ($125,270), Oregon ($123,490), Washington ($122,100), in the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15.
How many power-line worker training programs are listed?
We list 376 in 43 states: 305 school programs from the NCES IPEDS 2023-24 completions file (5,219 graduates that year) and 71 registered apprenticeship sponsors from the DOL Office of Apprenticeship partner file. Listings are matched from public files and are not endorsements.
How much does power-line worker training cost?
For the 304 listed schools with published College Scorecard tuition and fees, the annual figure ranges from $852 to $25,986 (middle $4,766). Registered apprenticeships are usually paid jobs, and the DOL file does not list tuition.
Sources
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15 (news release USDL-26-0725; data tables). Cross-checked against the BLS Public Data API on 2026-11-03.
- Occupation: O*NET OnLine, 49-9051.00 Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers, retrieved 2026-11-03 (CC BY 4.0).
- Apprenticeship sponsors: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship: partner sponsors file, retrieved 2026-10-29 (Partner Finder).
- Schools & graduates: U.S. Department of Education, NCES IPEDS Completions 2023-24 (C2024_A) and Institutional Characteristics (HD2024), award year 2023-24, matched by 6-digit CIP code (completions file; CIP-SOC crosswalk).
- Tuition: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (Most Recent Cohorts: Institution + Field of Study), data updated 2026-10-15, matched by IPEDS unit ID (source).
Program listings are matched from public files by occupation code or organization name; they are not endorsements and we have not visited or tested any program. Confirm schedules, entry requirements and costs with the program. Compiled by the HighPayingTrades team; last refreshed 2026-11-03.