Builds and maintains the high-voltage transmission lines and steel towers that carry power across long distances from generating plants to substations. BLS does not publish separate figures for electrical power-line installers and repairers; it counts them within electrical power-line installer and repairer (SOC 49-9051), whose median pay is $95,320 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 49-9051
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Transmission Lineworker in four numbers
- Median pay
- $95,320a year, or $45.83/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $51KTop 10% $129K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +10.3%Much faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+10.3%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +10.3% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 10,900131,900 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025131.9K
- Projected 2035145.5K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 131.9K Projected 2035 145.5K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school18.1%
- High school50.3%
- Certificate18.9%
- Some college9.9%
- Professional degree2.8%
Highest education held by electrical power-line installers and repairers Segment Value Less than high school 18.1% High school 50.3% Certificate 18.9% Some college 9.9% Professional degree 2.8%
Also advertised as: Transmission Lineman, Journeyman Transmission Lineman, High Voltage Transmission Lineworker, Transmission Line Technician.
Pay
How much do Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers make?
Every transmission lineworker in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$95,320
Middle half earn $67,270 to $109,740
- 10th
- $51,470
- 25th
- $67,270
- 75th
- $109,740
- 90th
- $128,690
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $51,470 |
| 25th | $67,270 |
| Median | $95,320 |
| 75th | $109,740 |
| 90th | $128,690 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $95,320
- Median hourly wage
- $45.83/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $91,970
- People employed
- 131,070
Versus all US occupations
At $95,320, Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers earn 87% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $44,340 a year.
Versus installation, maintenance, and repair occupations
Inside the Installation, Maintenance, and Repair group, where the middle occupation pays $61,150, this is 56% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $128,690 or more while the bottom 10% earn $51,470, a gap of 2.5×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 69% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Hawaii posts the highest raw median ($134,340), but once local prices are taken into account Idaho leads at $131,328 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Hawaii | $134,340 | $122,182 | 600 |
| 2Washington | $133,060 | $124,340 | 2,340 |
| 3Oregon | $131,090 | $126,827 | 1,640 |
| 4California | $129,040 | $116,546 | 8,930 |
| 5Connecticut | $126,850 | $122,430 | 940 |
| 6Idaho | $125,410 | $131,328 | 860 |
| 7New Jersey | $121,580 | $111,741 | 1,310 |
| 8New York | $121,280 | $112,378 | 5,840 |
| 9Montana | $110,320 | $116,562 | 680 |
| 10Massachusetts | $110,210 | $104,211 | 2,350 |
Job outlook
Is Transmission Lineworker a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Much faster than average. +10.3% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | +10.3% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers to change 10.3% over 2025–2035, roughly 2.9× the 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 13,600 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 10,900 openings are projected each year, 8.3% of the 131,900 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Transmission Lineworker
Most transmission lineworkers start in a registered lineworker apprenticeship, often run jointly by the IBEW and electrical contractors, such as the American Line Builders Apprenticeship Training program, which offers a dedicated transmission track. Apprentices are paid while they combine classroom instruction with supervised field hours over several years before reaching journeyman status.
Many applicants first attend a pre-apprenticeship or lineworker school to learn pole climbing and earn a commercial driver's license, which most employers require. Work on energized lines is governed by OSHA's 1910.269 standard, so employers train and qualify workers on minimum approach distances, grounding and rescue. Strong fitness, comfort with heights and a willingness to travel to project sites are expected.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Long-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as electrical power-line installers and repairers.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)50.3%
- Post-Secondary Certificate18.9%
- Less than a High School Diploma18.1%
- Some College Courses9.9%
- First Professional Degree2.8%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 50.3% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 18.9% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 18.1% |
| Some College Courses | 9.9% |
| First Professional Degree | 2.8% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Transmission Lineworker do?
Transmission lineworkers build, maintain and repair the backbone of the electric grid: the high-voltage lines strung between tall steel lattice towers and wood or steel poles that move power from plants to substations. Much of the work happens at height, on towers or from helicopters and aerial lifts, and some crews work lines while they are still energized using hot sticks or barehand methods.
A typical project might involve assembling and erecting towers, pulling and sagging conductor with tensioners and pullers, replacing insulator strings, or installing spacers and dampers. Crews follow strict switching and grounding procedures, read construction drawings, and coordinate closely with utility system operators before touching any circuit.
Day-to-day tasks
- Erect and assemble steel lattice towers and transmission structures
- String, pull and sag high-voltage conductor using tensioners and pullers
- Replace insulators, spacers, dampers and other line hardware
- Perform energized line work using hot sticks or barehand methods where qualified
- Install protective grounds and follow switching orders before work begins
- Climb towers and operate aerial lifts and line trucks
- Inspect lines for damage and report defects to engineers
- Perform rescue drills and follow job briefings on every task
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Transmission work is outdoor, physical and often remote, on rights-of-way through farmland, mountains and forests. Many lineworkers travel from job to job and live near the project for weeks at a time. Long days, overtime and callouts after storms are common, and crews work at significant heights in heavy protective gear.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayRarely works in a climate-controlled indoor space.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather at least weekly.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely seriousMistakes carry very serious consequences.
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening3.4
- Monitoring3.3
- Critical Thinking3.1
- Reading Comprehension3.0
- Active Learning3.0
- Speaking2.9
- Learning Strategies2.8
- Writing2.5
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.4 |
| Monitoring | 3.3 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.1 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.0 |
| Active Learning | 3.0 |
| Speaking | 2.9 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.8 |
| Writing | 2.5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Troubleshooting3.4
- Operations Monitoring3.3
- Operation and Control3.3
- Coordination3.1
- Complex Problem Solving3.1
- Repairing3.1
- Quality Control Analysis3.1
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Troubleshooting | 3.4 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.3 |
| Operation and Control | 3.3 |
| Coordination | 3.1 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 |
| Repairing | 3.1 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Video conferencing software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Geographic information system
- Mobile location based services software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Transmission Lineworker?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code RCE) built on O*NET's Electrical Power-Line Installer and Repairer profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Transmission Lineworker |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic7.0
- Conventional4.6
- Enterprising3.0
- Investigative2.7
- Social1.3
- Artistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Transmission Lineworker
O*NET related occupations
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Most earn $51K to $129K
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$74,330median a year
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More installation, maintenance, and repair careers
Median annual pay, with electrical power-line installers and repairers highlighted
- Transmission Lineworker$95,320
- Aircraft Mechanic$79,870
- Millwright$65,700
- Industrial Machinery Mechanic$64,520
- Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist$61,770
- Medical Equipment Repairer$61,660
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer$61,010
- Automotive Body and Related Repairer$54,890
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic$50,620
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Transmission Lineworker | $95,320 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | $79,870 |
| Millwright | $65,700 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $64,520 |
| Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist | $61,770 |
| Medical Equipment Repairer | $61,660 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer | $61,010 |
| Automotive Body and Related Repairer | $54,890 |
| Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic | $50,620 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Transmission Lineworker appears on
Questions
Transmission Lineworker: frequently asked questions
How much do Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for electrical power-line installers and repairers. It counts them within electrical power-line installer and repairer, whose median pay is $95,320 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $67,270 and $109,740, and the top 10% earn $128,690 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Transmission Lineworker?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers. BLS also lists long-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 50.3% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Transmission Lineworker a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 10.3% over 2025–2035, more than double the 3.5% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 10,900 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Transmission Lineworker do?
Transmission lineworkers build, maintain and repair the backbone of the electric grid: the high-voltage lines strung between tall steel lattice towers and wood or steel poles that move power from plants to substations. A typical task: erect and assemble steel lattice towers and transmission structures. Employers most often ask for Computer aided design CAD software, Electronic mail software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers the most?
The highest state medians for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers are Hawaii ($134,340), Washington ($133,060), Oregon ($131,090) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Idaho moves to the top at $131,328.
What personality type suits a Transmission Lineworker?
O*NET scores Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers highest on the Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.