How Much Do Linemen Make? Salary & Career Outlook
Updated: 7 hours ago
If you're considering a career as an electrical lineworker, one of the questions you may have is: How much do linemen make? Lineworker pay can vary considerably depending on experience, location, employer, overtime, apprenticeship status, and the type of work being performed. Someone entering the trade should not expect to earn the same amount as an experienced journey-level lineworker.
Understanding how lineworker compensation can change throughout a career can help you set realistic expectations as you consider entering the electrical line trade.
What Affects a Lineman's Salary?
There isn't one salary that applies to every lineworker. Compensation can be influenced by several factors, including experience level, geographic location, employer, union or non-union employment, overtime, storm response, and the type of electrical work being performed. An apprentice or entry-level worker may earn less while developing skills and completing required training, while experienced journey-level lineworkers may have significantly higher earning potential. When researching salaries, it's important to look closely at whether a figure represents base pay or includes overtime and other compensation. Very high salary figures found online may not represent what a new worker entering the trade can expect to earn.
How Much Do Linemen Make in the United States?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for electrical power-line installers and repairers was $95,320 in May 2025. The lowest 10% earned less than $51,470 annually, while the highest 10% earned more than $128,690. These figures represent workers across different experience levels and should not be interpreted as starting salaries for recent lineman school graduates. Actual earnings depend on the employer, geographic location, experience, overtime, and other factors.
How Much Do Linemen Make in New York?
New York offers competitive wages for experienced electrical lineworkers.
According to the New York State Department of Labor's regional occupational data, the median annual wage for electrical power-line installers and repairers in the Hudson Valley was $112,588. This figure reflects wages across the occupation, including experienced workers, and does not represent guaranteed earnings or the expected starting salary for a new graduate. Actual compensation varies based on experience, employer, location, and job responsibilities.
How Much Do Apprentice Linemen Make?
Apprentices generally earn less than experienced journey-level lineworkers because they are still developing their skills through structured on-the-job training and classroom instruction. Apprentice pay can vary depending on the employer, apprenticeship program, location, and stage of the apprenticeship. In many programs, wages increase as apprentices gain experience, complete required training, and progress through the program.
For someone graduating from lineman school, it is important to understand that completing a pre-apprenticeship program does not automatically make you a journeyman lineworker. L.I.N.E. is designed to help students build foundational skills and prepare to pursue entry-level employment and apprenticeship opportunities.
Why Can Some Linemen Earn More Than the Average Salary?
Some lineworkers may earn considerably more than published median wage figures. Factors such as overtime, emergency storm restoration, travel, specialized work, geographic location, union agreements, and years of experience can all affect total compensation.
Storm restoration work, for example, may involve long hours and travel to areas affected by severe weather or power outages. While this can increase earnings, it can also mean demanding schedules, extended time away from home, and challenging working conditions.
This is why prospective lineworkers should look beyond the highest salary numbers they see online and consider the complete career—including the training, physical demands, safety responsibilities, travel, and work schedules that may come with it.
Does Lineman School Affect Your Starting Salary?
Completing lineman school does not guarantee a specific starting salary. Pay is ultimately determined by the employer, position, location, experience, and other job-specific factors.
What lineworker training can provide is an opportunity to develop relevant skills before entering the job market. Hands-on training, safety education, CDL preparation, and familiarity with industry equipment can help students prepare to pursue entry-level opportunities in the trade. At L.I.N.E., students complete a 500-hour electrical lineworker pre-apprenticeship program combining classroom instruction with extensive hands-on field training.
Is Linework a Good Career?
For the right person, linework can offer a challenging and rewarding career path. It may appeal to people who enjoy working outdoors, using their hands, operating equipment, solving problems, and being part of a crew. The work also comes with significant responsibility. Lineworkers may work at heights, around electrical systems and heavy equipment, in changing weather conditions, and during emergency restoration efforts. Safety, teamwork, reliability, and a willingness to continue learning are essential.
Before choosing this career, consider both the earning potential and the demands of the job. A successful career in the line trade requires more than technical ability—it also requires commitment, discipline, and a strong focus on safety.
Start Your Path Toward a Career in Linework
If you're interested in pursuing a career as an electrical lineworker, training can be an important first step toward developing the skills and knowledge needed to enter the industry. Linemen Institute of the North East (L.I.N.E.) offers a 500-hour electrical lineworker pre-apprenticeship program in Kingston, New York, combining classroom education with extensive hands-on field training. Students train in areas such as climbing, electrical theory, equipment operation, jobsite safety, and linework fundamentals, along with CDL training and testing opportunities and industry-related safety training.
Enrollment is now open for Summer and Fall 2027. The Summer 2027 class begins April 19, 2027, and the Fall 2027 class begins August 2, 2027.
Take the first step toward your future in the line trade.
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