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Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

Typical education: High school diplomaHigh pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

Install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems. May erect poles and light or heavy duty transmission towers.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $95,320 Median per year · $45.83/hr Most earn $51,470–$128,690

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Trim trees that could be hazardous to the functioning of cables or wires.
  • Lay underground cable directly in trenches, or string it through conduit running through the trenches.
  • Cut and peel lead sheathing and insulation from defective or newly installed cables and conduits prior to splicing.
  • Clean, tin, and splice corresponding conductors by twisting ends together or by joining ends with metal clamps and soldering connections.
  • Inspect and test power lines and auxiliary equipment to locate and identify problems, using reading and testing instruments.
  • Attach cross-arms, insulators, and auxiliary equipment to poles prior to installing them.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth

United States
10% more jobs by 2035, much faster than average · about 10,900 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Power and communication line and related structures construction28.7%
  • Local government, excluding education and hospitals10.2%
  • Electrical contractors and other wiring installation contractors5.7%
  • Fossil fuel electric power generation4.8%
  • Natural gas distribution2.2%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: High school diplomaExperience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

You can often start this job with a high school diploma, though most people first spend about 6 months to 1 year working as a helper on a crew to learn the trade. Think of it as a hands-on job that you learn on the job, not one that requires a long degree.

  1. High school diploma

    About 4 years

    Build a foundation in math, science, and shop or technical classes, which are useful for understanding electricity and equipment.

  2. Electrician Helper

    6 months to 1 year

    Work alongside experienced crews on job sites, handling tools, equipment, and materials while you learn safety rules and basic field skills.

  3. Power Line Installer and Repairer

    Entry point after about 6 months to 1 year of helper work

    Install, maintain, and repair the cables and wires that carry electricity, and may erect poles and towers, working on your own or as part of a crew.

Where it can lead

  1. Substation Electrical Repairer

    2 to 4 years of experience first

    Shift toward maintaining and repairing equipment inside power substations and relay systems, which usually requires a certificate or apprenticeship and more specialized training.

  2. Power Distributor and Dispatcher

    2 to 4 years of experience first

    Move into a control-room role that directs how electricity flows across the grid, which usually requires a certificate or apprenticeship and experience with grid operations.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take math and physicsAlgebra, geometry, and physics help you understand how electricity flows and how loads are measured.
  • Enroll in shop, electrical, or CTE classesCareer and technical education courses teach tool use, wiring basics, and safety, which are the exact skills a helper uses on day one.
  • Get a part-time or summer job in outdoor or construction workLandscaping, farm, or construction helper jobs build the stamina and teamwork that line crews need.
  • Take a first aid or CPR classMany towns and schools offer these courses, and safety training stands out to employers in a field where accidents are a serious risk.

In college

  • Take physics and electrical circuits coursesCoursework in circuits and electrical systems builds the knowledge you need to understand power distribution and repair.
  • Look into a community college lineworker or electrical certificate programMany community colleges offer short certificate programs in power distribution or electrical trades, which can make you a stronger job candidate.
  • Work a summer job or co-op as a helper or groundmanHands-on experience with a utility or contractor crew gives you real field exposure and is often the most direct route into this career.
  • Complete basic workplace safety trainingCourses such as OSHA 10-hour general industry training are common and show employers that you take safety seriously.

Tips for getting started

  • Ask a local utility or line contractor whether they hire helpers or apprentices, and what they look for. Many people get their start this way.
  • Get comfortable with physical work and heights now. Power-line work involves climbing, lifting, and working outdoors in all weather, so building fitness and confidence early helps.
  • Keep your driving record clean and be ready for background and drug screenings, which utilities and contractors often require.

Related jobs that often lead here

  • Riggers 3 to 6 months of experience

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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