Career comparison
Electrical Lineworker vs. Telecommunications Lineworker
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. $74,330), while telecommunications lineworkers usually get to work faster (1–3 years of training). Electrical lineworkers build and repair the power lines that deliver electricity, on poles, in buckets and underground. Telecommunications lineworkers build and repair the cables and fiber that carry internet, TV and phone.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Electrical Lineworker | Telecommunications Lineworker | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $95,320 ($45.83/hr) | $74,330 ($35.73/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $51,470 – $128,690 | $45,310 – $103,680 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +10.3% (much faster than average) | -3.4% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 10,900 | 8,000 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 3–4 years (apprenticeship) | 1–3 years |
| Key credential | Journeyman lineworker | Fiber Optic Association CFOT |
| Work setting | Lineworkers work outdoors in all weather, at heights and around high-voltage electricity. | Lineworkers work outdoors at heights, in trenches and in vehicles, in all weather.. |
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
Telecommunications Lineworker
- Install aerial and underground cable
- Splice and test fiber optics
- Climb poles and use bucket trucks
- Repair damaged lines
- Install network equipment
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, working outdoors, physical work, and teamwork. They sit in different fields, skilled trades & construction and energy & utilities, but share transferable skills such as teamwork and trust and teamwork.
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 telecommunications lineworker if…
- I like working outdoors
- I’m comfortable at heights
- I want good pay without a degree
Still torn? Take the Electrical Lineworker fit quiz and the Telecommunications Lineworker fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, electrical lineworker or telecommunications lineworker?
Electrical Lineworkers earn more at the median: $95,320 versus $74,330 for telecommunications lineworkers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Telecommunications Lineworkers typically train faster (1–3 years) 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 -3.4% for telecommunications lineworkers.