Installation, Maintenance & Repair
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
Also called: Class Gloving Electrical Lineman, Class Rubber Gloving Lineman, Electrical Lineman, Electrical Lineworker
US median pay
$95,320
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+10.3%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
10,900
131,900 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems. May erect poles and light or heavy duty transmission towers.
What they do day to day
- Adhere to safety practices and procedures, such as checking equipment regularly and erecting barriers around work areas.
- Drive vehicles equipped with tools and materials to job sites.
- Open switches or attach grounding devices to remove electrical hazards from disturbed or fallen lines or to facilitate repairs.
- Climb poles or use truck-mounted buckets to access equipment.
- Install, maintain, and repair electrical distribution and transmission systems, including conduits, cables, wires, and related equipment, such as transformers, circuit breakers, and switches.
- Inspect and test power lines and auxiliary equipment to locate and identify problems, using reading and testing instruments.
- Coordinate work assignment preparation and completion with other workers.
- Replace or straighten damaged poles.
- String wire conductors and cables between poles, towers, trenches, pylons, and buildings, setting lines in place and using winches to adjust tension.
- Attach cross-arms, insulators, and auxiliary equipment to poles prior to installing them.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Troubleshooting3.4/5
- Operations Monitoring3.2/5
- Operation and Control3.2/5
- Systems Analysis3.1/5
- Repairing3.1/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.1/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
- Coordination3.1/5
Knowledge
- Building and Construction3.6/5
- English Language3.4/5
- Education and Training3.3/5
- Public Safety and Security3.3/5
- Transportation3.3/5
- Mechanical3.3/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma50%
- Post-secondary certificate19%
- Less than high school18%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.