Electrical Lineworker FAQ

Typically three to four years in a paid apprenticeship, often after a lineworker pre-apprenticeship school.

No. Lineworkers train through line schools and apprenticeships, and a CDL is commonly required.

Lineworkers are among the best-paid skilled trades in BLS pay data (see the salary page for current figures), and overtime and storm work can push earnings much higher.

The median annual wage for electrical lineworkers was $95,320 ($45.83 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $51,470 and the highest 10% earned more than $128,690.

Most people need about 3–4 years (apprenticeship) of training. A high school diploma or GED is required. Many lineworkers attend a pre-apprenticeship lineworker school (often 10–16 weeks), then complete a paid apprenticeship of roughly three to four years. A CDL is commonly required.

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus long-term on-the-job training.

It can be, depending on your goals. Employment is projected to change +10.3% from 2025–35 (much faster than average), with about 10,900 openings each year. Upsides include excellent pay without a four-year degree; a common challenge is that high-hazard work with electrocution and fall risks.

Key technical skills include pole climbing, bucket truck and digger derrick operation, rigging and conductor work, and hot-stick and rubber-glove work methods. Employers also value teamwork and trust, calm under pressure, and physical and mental toughness.

Common credentials include Journeyman lineworker, CDL Class A, OSHA 1910.269 training, and First aid and CPR. Requirements vary by state and employer.