How to Become a Lineworker (High Voltage Electrician): 2026 Guide

Lineworkers, often called linemen or high voltage electricians, build and repair the power lines that carry electricity from power plants to homes and businesses. They climb poles and towers, work from bucket trucks, and restore power after storms. It’s one of the best-paying trades without a degree, and in the Pacific Northwest and California the median tops $129,000. But the lifestyle isn’t for everyone.

What to know about the lifestyle first

• Travel: construction crews follow the work, and after storms and disasters, crews travel to affected areas and may work long hours for days in a row.
• Overtime: long days are part of the job and a big part of the pay.
• Physical work at heights: climbing poles and towers, balancing at height, working in all weather, and lifting heavy tools and cable.
• Safety first: you work around high voltage, so following procedures exactly is non-negotiable.

High voltage vs. low voltage electricians

Lineworkers handle the outside power system: transmission and distribution lines, transformers and substations. Inside electricians wire buildings, and low voltage electricians work on data, security, fire alarm and control systems. If you like being outdoors and don’t mind heights, line work may fit you better than inside wiring.

How to get into a lineworker apprenticeship

Most lineworkers train through a paid apprenticeship of about three to four years, run by a joint union-contractor committee (JATC) or by a utility. Requirements vary, but the Northwest Line Construction Industry JATC in Vancouver, Washington, is a good example of what programs expect:

• At least 18, with a high school diploma or GED
• Algebra with a C or better, and a passing score on an aptitude test
• The physical ability to climb ladders, poles and towers
• A valid Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL)
• Current first aid/CPR and flagger cards

That program runs four years and 7,000 hours with no tuition. Because spots are competitive, many applicants first complete a pre-apprenticeship or lineworker program that teaches climbing, safety and CDL skills. Color vision matters too, since wires are color coded.

What lineworkers earn

Electrical power-line installers earned a median of $95,320 nationally in May 2025. Pay is much higher in the West.

Area	Median pay (May 2025)	Hourly
Olympia–Lacey–Tumwater, WA	$135,450	$65.12
Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR-WA	$135,300	$65.05
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WA	$134,150	$64.50
Spokane–Spokane Valley, WA	$127,490	$61.29
Washington	$133,060	$63.97
Oregon	$131,090	$63.02
California	$129,040	$62.04
United States	$95,320	$45.83

BLS projects 10% job growth from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average, with about 10,900 openings a year as the grid is upgraded and experienced lineworkers retire.

Steps to become a lineworker

Frequently asked questions

What is the lineworker lifestyle like?

Expect travel, long hours and a lot of overtime, especially during storm restoration. If you don’t want that, consider inside electrical work instead.

How much do lineworkers make?

The national median was $95,320 in May 2025. In Washington, Oregon and California, the median was over $129,000.

Do I need a CDL to be a lineworker?

Many apprenticeships require a Class A CDL to apply, because crews drive and operate large trucks.

Is a lineworker the same as a high voltage electrician?

Yes. People use lineworker, lineman and high voltage electrician for the workers who build and maintain power lines.

Sources

• Career Bridge: Northwest Line Construction Industry JATC
• BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Line Installers and Repairers
• O*NET OnLine: Power-line installer wages (BLS OEWS May 2025)

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