Independent salary reference. Not affiliated with BLS, IBEW, NECA, or any electrical contractor. All wage figures cite the source; individual earnings vary by employer, certifications, and market.
Home/Lineman Salary

Updated 26 August 2026 · BLS OEWS May 2025 (49-9051)

Lineman Salary 2026: $95,320 Median

Storm work pushes $120,000-$160,000. 51% above inside wireman median.

Linemen (outside construction electricians, BLS 49-9051) install and maintain electric power lines. Different BLS code, different union affiliate, different apprenticeship, and significantly different pay than inside wiremen.

JW Median

$95,320/yr

Top 10%

$128,690

Storm (est.)

$120k-$160k

vs. Inside WM

+51%

Inside Wireman vs Outside Lineman: Critical Distinction

FactorInside WiremanOutside Lineman
BLS Occupation Code47-2111 (Electricians)49-9051 (Electrical Power-Line Installers)
IBEW AffiliateInside Construction LocalOutside Construction Local / Utility Local
ApprenticeshipJATC (4-5 years)Alliance for Electrical Training (4 years)
Work EnvironmentBuildings: commercial, residential, industrialOverhead lines, underground, substations, towers
Voltage Range120V / 240V / 480V typicalDistribution 4kV-34kV; Transmission 69kV-765kV
JW Median Salary$63,190/yr (BLS 2025)$95,320/yr (BLS 2025)
Travel RequirementUsually local commuteStorm work = interstate travel, weeks away
CDL RequirementRarely requiredClass B or A CDL typically required

Lineman Pay by Experience Level

LevelHourlyAnnual
Groundman / Pre-Apprentice$18 - $24/hr$37,000 - $50,000
Apprentice Lineman (Year 1-2)$22 - $32/hr$46,000 - $67,000
Apprentice Lineman (Year 3-4)$32 - $42/hr$67,000 - $87,000
Journeyman Lineman$38 - $52/hr$79,000 - $108,000
Foreman Lineman$45 - $62/hr$94,000 - $129,000
General Foreman / Supervisor$52 - $72/hr$108,000 - $150,000

Storm Work Economics

Storm restoration is the highest-paying electrical work in the United States. Linemen who participate in storm work regularly can add $30,000-$80,000 per year to their base income.

Typical Storm Assignment Structure

  • •Schedule: 7 days/week, 12-hour shifts (standard)
  • •Overtime: mandatory after 8 hrs/day or 40 hrs/week
  • •Per diem: $60-$150/day (tax-advantaged travel allowance)
  • •Lodging: provided by utility or reimbursed
  • •Duration: 2-8 weeks per major storm event

Example: 30-Day Storm Assignment

Base rate (journeyman):$48/hr
OT rate (hours 9-12 each day):$72/hr (1.5x)
Daily hours billed:12 hrs
Per diem (30 days):+$3,000
30-day gross estimate:~$44,000

Illustrative only; actual rates and OT rules vary by utility and IBEW local CBA.

Real storm examples: Following Hurricane Ida (2021), linemen from across the US worked 30-45 day assignments in Louisiana and Mississippi at rates of $80-$120/hr plus per diem. During the Texas February 2021 winter storm, utility linemen worked emergency restoration with similar premium rates. Hurricane Ian (2022) mobilised over 40,000 utility workers at elevated rates across Florida.

IBEW Outside Construction Wage Scales

Outside line construction journeyman rates are set local by local through the IBEW Outside Line Construction agreements and vary widely by state, utility territory, and travel zone. Rather than reproduce unverifiable per-local figures, the anchor below is taken directly from a published local agreement; for state-level comparison use the BLS median table further down this page.

IBEW LocalJW Base WagePackage
Local 1245 (NorCal Outside Line Construction)$74.43/hrPlus benefit package

Source: IBEW Local 1245 California Outside Line Construction Agreement (ratified May 2022, five-year term); journeyman lineman base steps to $74.43/hr effective 1 June 2026. Other locals set their own scales; contact the local or its dispatch office for its current rate sheet.

Lineman Pay by Top States

Top-paying states for BLS 49-9051 (electrical power-line installers). Note the different geographic distribution from inside electricians.

#StateMedian (BLS 2025)
1Hawaii$134,340
2Washington$133,060
3Oregon$131,090
4California$129,040
5Connecticut$126,850
6New Jersey$121,580
7New York$121,280
8Massachusetts$110,210
9Illinois$108,120
10Michigan$106,890

How to Become a Lineman

1

Get a CDL

Commercial Driver's License Class B or A is required or strongly preferred. Most utility companies and lineman apprenticeships require CDL as a precondition. Get it before applying.

2

Pre-Apprenticeship School (Optional but Recommended)

Northwest Lineman College (Meridian, ID) and Southeast Lineman Training Center (Trenton, GA) run roughly 15-week electrical lineworker pre-apprenticeship programs. Total program cost runs about $18,000-$26,000 depending on campus and what is bundled (CDL, tools, certifications); Northwest Lineman College's 2025-2026 tuition ranges from about $21,000 (Texas) to $26,000 (California). Graduates have significantly higher acceptance rates into IBEW Outside apprenticeships.

3

Apply to IBEW Outside Apprenticeship

Applications open at specific windows through the local IBEW Outside Construction apprenticeship (Alliance for Electrical Training). Requires high school diploma/GED, aptitude test, physical fitness assessment, and drug screening. Competition is high in major markets.

4

4-Year Apprenticeship

Combination of OJT and classroom training. Year 1-2 as groundman/pre-apprentice; Years 3-4 as apprentice lineman. Pay starts at 40-60% of journeyman rate and increases each step.

5

Journeyman Lineman

Completion of apprenticeship and any required local certifications. Now eligible for full journeyman pay, storm deployment, and travel work. Can pursue foreman opportunities after 2-4 years.

Physical Demands and Safety Reality

Linemen work at heights in bucket trucks and on towers, in all weather conditions. Distribution linemen regularly work on energised lines (live-line work) using hot-stick tools and insulating equipment. Transmission linemen sometimes work on lines energised at 69,000 to 765,000 volts.

BLS Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) data: electrical power-line workers have one of the highest fatal work injury rates in construction and utilities. The fatality rate is significantly higher than inside wiremen. The higher pay reflects both the skill required and the genuine occupational risk.

IBEW lineman training is among the most rigorous safety programs in any trade. Journeyman linemen complete hundreds of hours of safety training covering arc-flash protection, fall arrest, rubber gloving technique, and first aid/CPR. Most utility employers require re-certification annually.

Physical requirements: aerial bucket work requires no fear of heights; storm work requires tolerance for weeks away from home; all lineman work requires high physical fitness (climbing, lifting, working in all weather). Colour vision is less critical than for inside wiremen (less wire colour discrimination) but near-normal vision is typically required.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do linemen make per year?
Journeyman linemen earn $95,320/yr on average (BLS OEWS May 2025, occupation 49-9051, electrical power-line installers and repairers). This is 51% above the inside electrician median of $63,190. Storm travel and travel assignments push total annual earnings to $120,000-$160,000 for linemen who regularly work storm restoration.
What is the difference between a lineman and an inside electrician?
A lineman (outside construction electrician, BLS 49-9051) works on overhead and underground power distribution and transmission lines, typically outside in all weather conditions. An inside wireman (BLS 47-2111) works inside buildings on branch circuit wiring, panels, and equipment. Different BLS occupation codes, different unions (IBEW Outside vs IBEW Inside), different apprenticeships, and different pay scales. Linemen earn roughly 51% more at the journeyman level.
How much do linemen make on storm work?
Storm restoration work is the highest-paying electrical work in the United States. During major storm events (Hurricanes Ida, Ian, Texas winter storm of 2021), journeyman linemen typically earned $80-$120/hr plus per diem of $60-$150/day. A standard storm assignment is 7 days a week, 12-hour shifts. A 30-day storm assignment can net $30,000-$50,000 in addition to regular annual pay.
How do I become a lineman?
The two main paths are: (1) IBEW Outside Construction apprenticeship through the Alliance for Electrical Training (formerly NJATC outside). This is a 4-year program combining OJT with classroom training. Applications are competitive and require a high school diploma, aptitude test, and physical fitness. (2) Pre-apprenticeship lineman school (Northwest Lineman College in Meridian, ID; Southeast Lineman Training Center in Trenton, GA) which prepares you for apprenticeship applications. Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is often required.
Which state pays linemen the most?
By BLS OEWS May 2025 median annual wage for electrical power-line installers (49-9051), the top-paying states are Hawaii ($134,340), Washington ($133,060), Oregon ($131,090), California ($129,040), Connecticut ($126,850), New Jersey ($121,580), and New York ($121,280). The mix is different from inside electricians because linemen's work is driven by utility territory rather than construction density. Pacific coast states benefit from strong IBEW Outside utility scales and Bonneville Power Administration rates.
Is being a lineman worth it given the risks?
Linemen face significantly higher fatality and injury rates than inside wiremen. BLS Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) shows electrical power-line workers have one of the highest fatal work injury rates in construction. However, IBEW lineman training is among the most rigorous safety programs in any trade, and union linemen have strong workers compensation coverage. The premium pay (51% above inside wireman) and high demand reflect the genuine risk and skill required.
Do linemen need a CDL?
Yes, in most utility lineman roles, a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is required or strongly preferred. Linemen operate bucket trucks, digger derricks, and other commercial vehicles as part of daily work. Obtaining a CDL Class B or A before applying to apprenticeship programs is strongly recommended and will improve your application competitiveness.
Can you transfer from inside wireman to outside lineman apprenticeship?
Transfers between inside JATC and outside construction apprenticeships are rare and not straightforward. They are effectively different careers with different employers, different Locals, different equipment, and different safety certifications. Some hours may be credited on a case-by-case basis, but most lineman apprenticeship programs require starting from the beginning regardless of inside wireman experience.
Electrician vs LinemanUnion vs Non-UnionJourneyman SalarySalary by State

Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025 (49-9051), BLS SOII fatality data, IBEW Local 1245 California Outside Line Construction Agreement (ibew1245.com), Northwest Lineman College and Southeast Lineman Training Center published 2025-2026 tuition. Storm-earnings figures are illustrative estimates, not published rates.

Updated 2026-04-27