Electrical Lineman
Trades/Construction · $95,320 median · ~3 months to start, up to ~4 years training · Structurally ineligible for Workforce Pell
How we know this
The wage and outlook figures are verified against the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS/OOH 2025), last reviewed August 20, 2026. We show our sources so you can check every number yourself.
Honest tradeoffs
High-risk, on-call work
One of the more dangerous trades — high-voltage, heights, and storm-restoration call-outs in bad weather and at night. Overtime drives top pay but also long hours away from home.
Wages
Earnings by career stage
range · estimatedResearched estimates by experience level, setting, and region — see the full breakdown below. The BLS median is the one figure verified directly against bls.gov.
Pay by stage & setting
- Apprentice lineman (years 1-4, while training) $50-70K
- Journeyman distribution lineman $85-105K
- Transmission and storm-restoration lineman with overtime $110-145K+
- Line foreman / crew leader $120-160K. Overtime and storm work push top earners well past base pay.
Workforce Pell eligibility
Not eligible for Workforce Pell
Training
That's a wide span on purpose: you can start working after a short pre-apprenticeship or entry course, while the longer figure reflects a full apprenticeship. The career ladder below breaks the journey into steps.
Ways in
Paid, on-the-job training combined with classroom hours — you get a wage from day one instead of paying tuition.
Pay while training: $22-28/hr in year 1, scaling to roughly $40-55/hr at journeyman
Common sponsors: IBEW / NECA (electrical JATC), Utility employer programs, Northwest Lineman College (school route)
Credentials you'll earnwith typical prep time
Commercial Driver's License (CDL) — frequently required
State DMV / employer
Estimate, pending verification.
Cost vs. payoff
- Training cost
- Free–$20,000
- Training pays for itself in
- about 3 months
The low end is the cheapest route in — a paid apprenticeship, community college, or employer-paid program (sometimes free); the high end is a private or for-profit school. The range is about which route you take, not extra certifications.
Getting started — your first moves
- 1
Find an apprenticeship
Apply to a registered apprenticeship — you earn a paycheck from day one while you train, instead of paying tuition.
- 2
Earn your first credential
Study for and pass the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) — frequently required.
- 3
Get hired and grow
Land an entry role and start building experience — pay climbs as you move up the career ladder above.
See it where you live
The figures above are national. Pay and programs vary a lot by state — pick yours and we'll send you straight to the official local data, no guessing.
Career ladder
Apprentice lineman
Entry$60,000Earn while you learn; physically demanding, outdoor, on-call.
Training: Apprenticeship (IBEW/NECA) or lineman school + CDL
Journeyman lineman
Year 4$95,000Training: Complete apprenticeship
Line foreman / transmission lineman
Year 8$130,000
In your state
State licensure
No state-specific licensure requirements documented in corpus.
Data limitations
- • The wage figures come from BLS. Training length, cost, apprenticeship pay, and the pay figures on the career ladder are researched estimates — treat them as a guide, not a quote.
Common questions
How much does a Electrical Lineman make?
The median wage is $95,320 per year (BLS OEWS 2025). Most earn between $51,470 and $128,690. Actual pay varies by region, employer, and experience.
How long does it take to become a Electrical Lineman?
Typical training runs about 3 months to get started, and up to about 4 years to reach the top of the field. This is a non-degree path — no four-year college degree is required. Many people earn a paid wage during an apprenticeship instead of paying tuition.
Do you need a college degree to become a Electrical Lineman?
No. Electrical Lineman is a non-degree career path — you qualify through training, certification, and/or on-the-job experience rather than a four-year degree.
Is Electrical Lineman eligible for Workforce Pell funding?
Not structurally — the typical program runs longer than the federal Workforce Pell hour cap, so it generally won't qualify for Workforce Pell. Other financial aid may still apply.
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