Lineman/Power Line Installer Salary (2025) — National Average Pay
Here is what lineman/power line installers earn across the United States, broken down by experience level, union status, and state. All figures reflect base pay before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
Lineman/Power Line Installer Pay by Experience Level
Your pay as a lineman/power line installer depends heavily on where you are in your career. Apprentices start at the lower end, but wages climb quickly as you gain experience and credentials.
| Experience Level | Hourly Rate | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice | $22.50/hr | $46,800/yr |
| Journeyman | $37.50/hr | $78,000/yr |
| Master | $48.75/hr | $101,400/yr |
| Foreman | $52.50/hr | $109,200/yr |
Apprentice
Hourly
$22.50
Annual
$46,800
Journeyman
Hourly
$37.50
Annual
$78,000
Master
Hourly
$48.75
Annual
$101,400
Foreman
Hourly
$52.50
Annual
$109,200
Union vs. Non-Union Pay
Union lineman/power line installers consistently out-earn their non-union peers. The gap widens further when you factor in pension contributions, healthcare, and other benefits that most union contracts include.
Union vs. Non-Union Pay
Average hourly rate for lineman/power line installers
Union lineman/power line installers earn $12.37/hr more (34.0% premium)
Lineman/Power Line Installer Salary by Specialty
Not all lineman/power line installer roles pay the same. Here’s how estimated pay varies by specialization, based on the national median.
| Specialty | Est. Hourly | Est. Annual | vs. Median |
|---|---|---|---|
Storm Restoration Lineman CDL Class A, Journeyman Lineman Certificate | $46.88/hr | $97,500 | +25% |
Transmission Lineman CDL Class A, Journeyman Lineman Certificate | $43.13/hr | $89,700 | +15% |
Substation Technician Journeyman Lineman Certificate, Substation Technician Certification | $41.25/hr | $85,800 | +10% |
Distribution Lineman CDL Class A, Journeyman Lineman Certificate | $35.63/hr | $74,100 | -5% |
Storm Restoration Lineman
+25%$46.88/hr
$97,500/yr
Transmission Lineman
+15%$43.13/hr
$89,700/yr
Substation Technician
+10%$41.25/hr
$85,800/yr
Distribution Lineman
-5%$35.63/hr
$74,100/yr
Lineman/Power Line Installer Salary by State
Lineman/Power Line Installer pay varies significantly by state. Cost of living, union presence, and local demand all play a role. Click any state to see the full breakdown.
| # | State | Median Hourly | Median Annual | Jobs | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $51.88/hr | $107,900 | 378 | +8.5% |
| 2 | Hawaii | $50/hr | $104,000 | 504 | +8.0% |
| 3 | New York | $49.38/hr | $102,700 | 6,936 | +8.0% |
| 4 | California | $47.75/hr | $99,300 | 12,610 | +9.0% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $47.25/hr | $98,300 | 2,774 | +8.5% |
| 6 | Washington | $45/hr | $93,600 | 3,153 | +9.5% |
| 7 | Illinois | $44.25/hr | $92,000 | 5,296 | +7.5% |
| 8 | Connecticut | $43.13/hr | $89,700 | 1,387 | +8.0% |
| 9 | New Jersey | $43.13/hr | $89,700 | 3,531 | +8.0% |
| 10 | Maryland | $41.25/hr | $85,800 | 2,144 | +8.5% |
| 11 | Colorado | $40.50/hr | $84,200 | 2,396 | +9.5% |
| 12 | Oregon | $40.50/hr | $84,200 | 1,639 | +9.0% |
| 13 | Minnesota | $39.38/hr | $81,900 | 2,270 | +8.5% |
| 14 | Nevada | $39.38/hr | $81,900 | 1,261 | +10.5% |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | $39.38/hr | $81,900 | 5,044 | +8.0% |
| 16 | Rhode Island | $39.38/hr | $81,900 | 378 | +8.0% |
| 17 | Texas | $38.75/hr | $80,600 | 10,719 | +10.0% |
| 18 | North Dakota | $38.63/hr | $80,400 | 378 | +9.0% |
| 19 | Delaware | $38.25/hr | $79,600 | 378 | +8.5% |
| 20 | New Hampshire | $38.25/hr | $79,600 | 504 | +8.5% |
| 21 | Virginia | $38.25/hr | $79,600 | 3,153 | +8.5% |
| 22 | Florida | $37.13/hr | $77,200 | 8,197 | +11.0% |
| 23 | Arizona | $36.75/hr | $76,400 | 2,900 | +10.0% |
| 24 | Michigan | $36.75/hr | $76,400 | 3,783 | +7.5% |
| 25 | Vermont | $36.75/hr | $76,400 | 252 | +8.0% |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $36/hr | $74,900 | 2,270 | +8.0% |
| 27 | Maine | $35.63/hr | $74,100 | 504 | +8.0% |
| 28 | Ohio | $35.63/hr | $74,100 | 4,792 | +7.5% |
| 29 | Utah | $35.63/hr | $74,100 | 1,261 | +10.5% |
| 30 | Indiana | $34.88/hr | $72,600 | 2,774 | +8.5% |
| 31 | Missouri | $34.88/hr | $72,600 | 2,522 | +8.0% |
| 32 | Georgia | $34.50/hr | $71,800 | 4,035 | +9.5% |
| 33 | Louisiana | $34.50/hr | $71,800 | 2,018 | +8.0% |
| 34 | North Carolina | $34.50/hr | $71,800 | 3,783 | +9.5% |
| 35 | Wyoming | $34.50/hr | $71,800 | 252 | +8.5% |
| 36 | Idaho | $33.75/hr | $70,200 | 757 | +10.0% |
| 37 | Iowa | $33.75/hr | $70,200 | 1,261 | +8.0% |
| 38 | Montana | $33.75/hr | $70,200 | 378 | +9.0% |
| 39 | Nebraska | $33.75/hr | $70,200 | 757 | +8.0% |
| 40 | Tennessee | $33.75/hr | $70,200 | 2,774 | +9.0% |
| 41 | Kansas | $33.38/hr | $69,400 | 1,135 | +7.5% |
| 42 | New Mexico | $33/hr | $68,600 | 631 | +8.0% |
| 43 | Kentucky | $32.63/hr | $67,900 | 1,765 | +7.5% |
| 44 | South Carolina | $32.25/hr | $67,100 | 1,892 | +9.5% |
| 45 | Alabama | $31.88/hr | $66,300 | 1,892 | +7.0% |
| 46 | Oklahoma | $31.88/hr | $66,300 | 1,513 | +8.0% |
| 47 | South Dakota | $31.88/hr | $66,300 | 378 | +8.5% |
| 48 | West Virginia | $30.75/hr | $64,000 | 631 | +6.0% |
| 49 | Arkansas | $30.25/hr | $62,900 | 1,135 | +6.5% |
| 50 | Mississippi | $29/hr | $60,300 | 1,009 | +6.0% |
Alaska
378 jobs
$51.88/hr
$107,900/yr
Hawaii
504 jobs
$50/hr
$104,000/yr
New York
6,936 jobs
$49.38/hr
$102,700/yr
California
12,610 jobs
$47.75/hr
$99,300/yr
Massachusetts
2,774 jobs
$47.25/hr
$98,300/yr
Washington
3,153 jobs
$45/hr
$93,600/yr
Illinois
5,296 jobs
$44.25/hr
$92,000/yr
Connecticut
1,387 jobs
$43.13/hr
$89,700/yr
New Jersey
3,531 jobs
$43.13/hr
$89,700/yr
Maryland
2,144 jobs
$41.25/hr
$85,800/yr
Colorado
2,396 jobs
$40.50/hr
$84,200/yr
Oregon
1,639 jobs
$40.50/hr
$84,200/yr
Minnesota
2,270 jobs
$39.38/hr
$81,900/yr
Nevada
1,261 jobs
$39.38/hr
$81,900/yr
Pennsylvania
5,044 jobs
$39.38/hr
$81,900/yr
Rhode Island
378 jobs
$39.38/hr
$81,900/yr
Texas
10,719 jobs
$38.75/hr
$80,600/yr
North Dakota
378 jobs
$38.63/hr
$80,400/yr
Delaware
378 jobs
$38.25/hr
$79,600/yr
New Hampshire
504 jobs
$38.25/hr
$79,600/yr
Virginia
3,153 jobs
$38.25/hr
$79,600/yr
Florida
8,197 jobs
$37.13/hr
$77,200/yr
Arizona
2,900 jobs
$36.75/hr
$76,400/yr
Michigan
3,783 jobs
$36.75/hr
$76,400/yr
Vermont
252 jobs
$36.75/hr
$76,400/yr
Wisconsin
2,270 jobs
$36/hr
$74,900/yr
Maine
504 jobs
$35.63/hr
$74,100/yr
Ohio
4,792 jobs
$35.63/hr
$74,100/yr
Utah
1,261 jobs
$35.63/hr
$74,100/yr
Indiana
2,774 jobs
$34.88/hr
$72,600/yr
Missouri
2,522 jobs
$34.88/hr
$72,600/yr
Georgia
4,035 jobs
$34.50/hr
$71,800/yr
Louisiana
2,018 jobs
$34.50/hr
$71,800/yr
North Carolina
3,783 jobs
$34.50/hr
$71,800/yr
Wyoming
252 jobs
$34.50/hr
$71,800/yr
Idaho
757 jobs
$33.75/hr
$70,200/yr
Iowa
1,261 jobs
$33.75/hr
$70,200/yr
Montana
378 jobs
$33.75/hr
$70,200/yr
Nebraska
757 jobs
$33.75/hr
$70,200/yr
Tennessee
2,774 jobs
$33.75/hr
$70,200/yr
Kansas
1,135 jobs
$33.38/hr
$69,400/yr
New Mexico
631 jobs
$33/hr
$68,600/yr
Kentucky
1,765 jobs
$32.63/hr
$67,900/yr
South Carolina
1,892 jobs
$32.25/hr
$67,100/yr
Alabama
1,892 jobs
$31.88/hr
$66,300/yr
Oklahoma
1,513 jobs
$31.88/hr
$66,300/yr
South Dakota
378 jobs
$31.88/hr
$66,300/yr
West Virginia
631 jobs
$30.75/hr
$64,000/yr
Arkansas
1,135 jobs
$30.25/hr
$62,900/yr
Mississippi
1,009 jobs
$29/hr
$60,300/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
Lineman/Power Line Installer salaries in the United States vary based on experience, certifications, and whether you work union or non-union. Entry-level lineman/power line installers typically earn around 60-70% of the median wage, while experienced professionals and those with master-level credentials can earn 25-50% above the median.
Entry-level lineman/power line installers in the United States typically start at the lower end of the pay range, which reflects apprentice or helper-level positions. As you gain experience and complete your training program, your pay increases significantly within the first 2-3 years.
Yes. Union lineman/power line installers earn 15-30% more per hour on average than their non-union counterparts. When you factor in benefits like pensions, healthcare, and annuity contributions, the total compensation gap is even wider. However, union availability varies significantly by region.
The path to becoming a fully qualified lineman/power line installer depends on the route you take. Apprenticeship programs typically last 3-5 years and combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Trade school programs can be completed in 6-24 months, though you will still need field experience to reach journeyman level.
Lineman/Power Line Installer work offers solid pay, strong job security, and doesn't require a four-year degree. The national job outlook shows steady demand, and the ongoing skilled labor shortage means qualified lineman/power line installers have strong bargaining power. The work can be physically demanding, but many professionals find the trade rewarding and well-compensated.
Certifications can significantly boost a lineman/power line installer's earning potential. Industry-recognized credentials, advanced specializations, and safety certifications all help you stand out to employers and command higher hourly rates. Master-level licenses typically result in the biggest pay increases.
Sources & Methodology
Salary data sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program. Data reflects May 2024 estimates, the most recent available. Figures represent base pay before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.