Otis Singleton
Electrical linemen are utility workers who install and repair electrical power and distribution systems. They work at extreme heights and face various hazards, including electrocution and falls, with a fatality rate nearly 400% higher than the national average for all occupations. As of January 2025, there were an estimated 87,715 linemen employed in the United States, with a majority being middle-aged men. This paragraph introduces the topic of electrical linemen in the US, alluding to their important yet dangerous work, demographic characteristics, and the size of their workforce.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of electrical linemen in the US | 87,715 (Zippia estimate) or nearly 120,000 (US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimate) |
| Average age | 39-40+ years old |
| Average job tenure | 1-2 years |
| Most common degree | Associate degree (24%-29%) or High School Diploma (24%)-26% |
| Median annual income | $66,111 - $99,580 |
| Most common industry | Manufacturing, utilities and construction |
| Most common ethnicity | White (64.1%)-75% |
| Percentage of women | 3.7%-5.3% |
| Primary risks of the job | Electrocution, falling from heights, equipment malfunction, inadequate cover-up equipment |
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What You'll Learn
Electric lineman demographics in the US
Electric linemen are workers who install and repair electrical power lines and cables. This job comes with inherent risks, including working at extreme heights and adverse weather conditions.
Demographics
According to Zippia, there are over 87,715 linemen currently employed in the United States. The majority of linemen are male, with men making up 94.7% of the workforce and women only 5.3%. The average age of linemen is around 40 years old, with 46% of linemen falling into the 40+ age bracket. The most common degree held by linemen is a high school diploma (41-43%), followed by an associate degree (19-31%) and a bachelor's degree (17-24%).
Ethnicity and Salary
The most common ethnicity among linemen is White (64.1%-75.1%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (13.4%-13.5%) and Black or African American (5.7%-7.9%). In terms of salary, Asian linemen have the highest average, while Hispanic or Latino linemen have the lowest. There is also a gender pay gap, with women earning only 86% of what men earned in 2022.
Industries and Locations
The most common industries for linemen are manufacturing, utilities, and construction. Linemen are 69% more likely to work for private companies than public ones. The highest average salary for linemen is in Alaska, at $109,150. Houston, Texas, and Mount Airy, North Carolina, are also popular locations for linemen.
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Electric lineman job tenure
Electric linemen, also known as line installers and repairers, lineworkers, or power line technicians, are responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing electric power lines and other equipment used in electrical distribution and transmission systems. It is considered a dangerous job due to the risks of electrocution, falls from heights, equipment malfunction, and adverse weather conditions.
In terms of job tenure, the average lineman stays at their job for 1-2 years, according to a database of resumes analyzed by Zippia. However, it typically takes four years to reach journeyman status, at which point a lineman can obtain a license and work without supervision. The job often requires working long hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays during emergencies.
Most linemen work for private companies, with 69% employed in the private sector compared to the public sector. The average age of linemen is around 40 years old, and the most common degree is a high school diploma, although some pursue associate or bachelor's degrees. Linemen with higher education tend to earn higher salaries, with those holding an associate degree earning an average of $82,192 annually.
The job market for electrical linemen is expected to grow. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 23,500 openings per year, and employment for electrical power-line installers and repairers is projected to increase by 8% from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is attributed to the increasing need for electricity as the population grows.
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Electric lineman salaries
The salaries of electrical linemen vary depending on their location and level of education. In the United States, the average electrical lineman salary is $65,820, with the highest-paid linemen located in San Jose, California, earning an average of $129,954 per year. The lowest salary for a journeyman lineman in the United States is $43,972 per year, while the highest salary can reach up to $101,934 annually.
Linemen with an Associate's degree earn a median annual income of $82,192, while those with a Bachelor's degree earn $80,905. Having a higher level of education can impact a lineman's salary positively.
The state of California offers some of the highest salaries for linemen, with reports of earnings ranging from $250,000 to $300,000. These salaries are influenced by factors such as overtime work and the specific location within the state, as the cost of living varies significantly across California.
The dangerous nature of the job, which includes working at extreme heights and with electricity, contributes to the higher salaries seen in certain regions. Linemen in California, for example, benefit from taking home 60% of their gross income, which can amount to a substantial sum.
While the average salary for a journeyman lineman in the United States is approximately $66,949, specific companies are known to offer higher wages. For instance, PGE reportedly pays linemen an hourly rate of $71-74, plus an additional 20-25% based on location.
The lineman profession offers financial stability and the potential for high earnings, especially in states like California and specific metropolitan areas like San Jose.
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Electric lineman job hazards
Electrical lineman is listed as one of the top 10 most dangerous jobs in America. The work is fraught with danger, with linemen dealing with thousands of volts of electricity while suspended in the air, often at extreme heights. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the job of electrical line workers ranks among the top ten most dangerous, with a fatality rate of 18.7 per 100,000 workers.
The biggest threat linemen face is electrocution, which is the leading cause of death in this occupation. The fatality rate for linemen is nearly 400% higher than the national average for all occupations, with an average of 26 linemen losing their lives each year due to fatal work injuries. Linemen also experience a high rate of non-fatal injuries, with approximately 20 non-fatal injuries for every fatality.
Another significant hazard is falling from heights. About 21% of lineman fatalities are due to falls, as linemen often work at heights ranging from 40 to hundreds of feet off the ground. Equipment malfunction, loss of balance, and adverse weather conditions can increase the risk of falling. In addition, inadequate cover-up equipment can increase the chance of injury or death, as linemen may need to move their covers during a job, exposing them to live electrical parts and equipment.
To mitigate these risks, linemen must follow safety best practices and stay alert and aware of their surroundings. Wearing proper safety equipment, such as burn-resistant clothing, helmets, gloves, and shoes, is crucial. Rubber protective equipment keeps linemen safe from electrical hazards, but it must be inspected before each use for any damage or wear. Taking the time to work slowly and use proper techniques can also help prevent accidents.
Additionally, proper training is essential to ensure linemen are aware of potential hazards and know how to protect themselves and their colleagues. Staffing shortages can lead to overworked employees, increasing the risk of critical and potentially deadly mistakes. Comprehensive training programs are necessary to provide linemen with the knowledge and skills to stay safe on the job.
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Electric lineman job skills
Electrical linemen, also known as power line technicians, perform highly skilled work on power lines. This includes complex construction, evaluation, alteration, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of electrical transmission and distribution lines.
The job is considered dangerous as linemen often work at extreme heights of up to 100 feet and with high-voltage electricity. They may also be required to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions or at night. Due to these risks, linemen must be trained in safety protocols and the use of protective equipment.
To perform their duties, linemen need a strong understanding of electrical theory and technical skills. They install, remove, repair, and replace system components such as poles, transformers, cables, conductors, switches, meters, and fuses. Linemen also test equipment, including conductors, switches, voltage regulators, and transformers. Additionally, they may be required to operate and maintain heavy machinery such as augers, trenchers, trucks, and cranes, and possess a commercial driver's license.
Most linemen start their careers as groundmen assisting other linemen and gain technical knowledge through career or technical school, or an apprenticeship. An associate degree in a related field or a Journeyman Lineman Certificate is often preferred. Linemen with higher education qualifications tend to earn more.
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Frequently asked questions
There are an estimated 87,715 to 120,000 electrical linemen currently employed in the US.
The average tenure of an electrical lineman in the US is 1-2 years.
The average age of electrical linemen in the US is between 39 and 40+ years.
Men make up 94.7% of electrical linemen in the US, while women make up 5.3%.
