Salary guide
Electrical Lineworker Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What electrical lineworkers earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median electrical lineworker salary in the U.S. is $95,320 per year, or $45.83 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $51,470, while the top 10% earned more than $128,690.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Electrical Lineworker pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $51,470 | $24.75 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $67,270 | $32.34 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $95,320 | $45.83 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $109,740 | $52.76 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $128,690 | $61.87 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $67,270 | $95,320 | $109,740 |
| Per month | $5,606 | $7,943 | $9,145 |
| Every two weeks | $2,587 | $3,666 | $4,221 |
| Per week | $1,294 | $1,833 | $2,110 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects electrical lineworker pay
- Union versus non-union employment and local wage agreements
- License level (apprentice, journeyworker, master or contractor)
- Overtime, per diem and travel work
- Specialization (industrial, commercial, renewable energy, high voltage)
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as an electrical lineworker
- Get credentialed: Journeyman lineworker, CDL Class A, OSHA 1910.269 training.
- Build specialty experience: Build and maintain energized lines.
- Move up: roles such as crew leader or troubleshooter and line supervisor or operations manager typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Electrical Lineworker pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of electrical lineworkers to change by +10.3% from 2025–35, much faster than average compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 10,900 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 49-9051 (“Electrical power-line installers and repairers”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Electrical Lineworker salary FAQ
How much does an electrical lineworker make per hour?
The median hourly wage for electrical lineworkers was $45.83 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $24.75 and the top 10% earned about $61.87 or more.
How much does an electrical lineworker make a month?
At the median annual wage of $95,320, that works out to about $7,943 per month before taxes, or about $3,666 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for an electrical lineworker?
New electrical lineworkers often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $51,470 and the 25th percentile was $67,270 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can electrical lineworkers earn more?
Common ways include earning Journeyman lineworker and CDL Class A, gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as crew leader or troubleshooter.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 49-9051 (Electrical power-line installers and repairers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Electrical power-line installers and repairers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.