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Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
Install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems. May erect poles and light or heavy duty transmission towers.
Other titles employers use
Class Gloving Electrical Lineman · Class Rubber Gloving Lineman · Electrical Lineman · Electrical Lineworker · Lineworker · Power Lineman · Power Lineman Technician · Service Man
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical and organizing work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Active Listening
- Troubleshooting
- Monitoring
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Critical Thinking
Subjects to know
- Building and Construction
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Public Safety and Security
- Transportation
Useful strengths
- Problem Sensitivity
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Multilimb Coordination
- Near Vision
- Deductive Reasoning
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 4.2 | Arm’s length or closer, most of the day |
| On your feet | 4.2 | Standing or moving for most of it |
| Talking face to face | 4.9 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 4.3 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 68%
- A certificate or some college 29%
- A doctorate or professional degree 3%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Electronic mail software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Word processing software
- Video conferencing software
- Geographic information system
- Mobile location based services software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 13,570
- Job openings each year
- 1,130
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 14.3%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 13,570 | 1,130 | 14.3% |
| California | 10,300 | 880 | 18.4% |
| Florida | 7,520 | 600 | 7.1% |
| North Carolina | 6,420 | 520 | 12.0% |
| Illinois | 4,960 | 400 | 8.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 4,460 | 350 | 5.2% |
| Michigan | 4,220 | 320 | 1.2% |
| Missouri | 3,990 | 320 | 7.3% |
| New York | 3,950 | 10 | 3.4% |
| Georgia | 3,890 | 310 | 7.8% |
| Tennessee | 3,870 | 340 | 22.1% |
| Ohio | 3,650 | 280 | — |
| Indiana | 3,630 | 280 | 1.4% |
| Alabama | 3,370 | 270 | 7.0% |
| South Carolina | 3,290 | 270 | 10.4% |
| Virginia | 3,210 | 240 | −1.5% |
| Kentucky | 2,720 | 220 | 7.9% |
| Colorado | 2,650 | 210 | 6.4% |
| Washington | 2,460 | 220 | 8.4% |
| Arizona | 2,440 | 190 | 4.3% |
| Mississippi | 2,350 | 190 | 13.0% |
| Oklahoma | 2,350 | 190 | 7.8% |
| Wisconsin | 2,120 | 160 | — |
| Iowa | 2,070 | 160 | 4.5% |
| Arkansas | 1,870 | 150 | 12.0% |
| Minnesota | 1,760 | 140 | 6.0% |
| Nebraska | 1,690 | 130 | 7.0% |
| Kansas | 1,560 | 120 | — |
| Maryland | 1,560 | 130 | 9.1% |
| Louisiana | 1,280 | 100 | 11.3% |
| New Jersey | 1,280 | 110 | 13.3% |
| Oregon | 1,270 | 100 | 9.5% |
| Connecticut | 1,160 | 90 | −1.7% |
| Idaho | 1,090 | 90 | 14.7% |
| New Mexico | 1,080 | 90 | 9.1% |
| Nevada | 960 | 70 | 1.1% |
| West Virginia | 880 | 60 | −3.3% |
| Maine | 830 | 60 | 1.2% |
| Utah | 810 | 70 | 19.1% |
| Massachusetts | 770 | 60 | 10.0% |
| South Dakota | 770 | 60 | 6.9% |
| Montana | 740 | 60 | 17.5% |
| North Dakota | 600 | 50 | 9.1% |
| New Hampshire | 510 | 40 | 8.5% |
| Wyoming | 450 | 40 | 9.8% |
| Puerto Rico | 400 | 30 | 2.6% |
| Vermont | 350 | 30 | — |
| Alaska | 340 | 30 | 6.3% |
| District of Columbia | 310 | 20 | 3.3% |
| Delaware | 280 | 20 | 12.0% |
| Rhode Island | 210 | 20 | 23.5% |
| Guam | 80 | 10 | — |
Career to college
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Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.