Career comparison
Electrical Lineworker vs. Electrician Helper
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Electrical lineworkers earn more at the median ($95,320 vs. $42,670), while electrician helpers usually get to work faster (A few weeks on the job of training). Electrical lineworkers build and repair the power lines that deliver electricity, on poles, in buckets and underground. Electrician helpers help electricians pull wire, install conduit and wire buildings.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Electrical Lineworker | Electrician Helper | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $95,320 ($45.83/hr) | $42,670 ($20.51/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $51,470 – $128,690 | $33,020 – $58,340 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +10.3% (much faster than average) | +0.6% (little or no change) |
| Openings per year | 10,900 | 6,100 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 3–4 years (apprenticeship) | A few weeks on the job |
| Key credential | Journeyman lineworker | OSHA 10 |
| Work setting | Lineworkers work outdoors in all weather, at heights and around high-voltage electricity. | Helpers work on residential, commercial and industrial sites.. |
What each job does
Electrical Lineworker
- Install and maintain overhead and underground power lines
- Climb poles and operate bucket trucks and digger derricks
- Replace transformers, insulators, crossarms and conductors
- Restore power after storms and emergencies
- Follow switching orders and isolate and ground lines
Electrician Helper
- Pull wire
- Install conduit
- Mount boxes
- Drill holes
- Carry materials
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, physical work, and teamwork. Both are part of the skilled trades & construction field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose electrical lineworker if…
- Heights don’t bother me
- I can follow strict safety procedures every single time
- I’m physically strong and like demanding work
Choose electrician helper if…
- I want to be an electrician
- I’m careful
- I like hands-on work
Still torn? Take the Electrical Lineworker fit quiz and the Electrician Helper fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, electrical lineworker or electrician helper?
Electrical Lineworkers earn more at the median: $95,320 versus $42,670 for electrician helpers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Electrician Helpers typically train faster (A few weeks on the job) than electrical lineworkers (3–4 years (apprenticeship)).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects electrical lineworkers to grow +10.3% from 2025–35, compared with +0.6% for electrician helpers.