Lineman Salary Guide 2026
What electrical linemen earn, from the federal wage survey and from a published union wage sheet. Every figure names its source and data year.
How much does a lineman make?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) puts the median annual wage for electrical power-line installers and repairers at $95,320 in May 2025. That is $45.83 per hour. Half of all linemen earn more, half earn less. The average (mean) is $91,970 a year, or $44.22 per hour. About 131,070 people held the job.
BLS counts apprentices and journeymen together in this occupation. The figures below are base wages. They do not include overtime, storm pay, per diem, or benefits.
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $51,470 |
| 25th percentile | $67,270 |
| Median | $95,320 |
| 75th percentile | $109,740 |
| 90th percentile | $128,690 |
Journeyman lineman salary
Union line construction pay is public. Wage rates sit in the collective agreement. The California Outside Line Construction Agreement between IBEW Local 1245, IBEW Local 47 and the line contractors runs from June 1, 2022 to May 31, 2027. Its wage exhibit sets these hourly rates from June 1, 2026:
| Classification | Hourly wage | Share of journeyman rate |
|---|---|---|
| General Foreman | $89.32 | n/a |
| Foreman | $81.82 | n/a |
| Journeyman Lineman | $74.43 | 100% |
| Apprentice, 7th period | $66.99 | 90% |
| Apprentice, 5th period | $59.54 | 80% |
| Apprentice, 3rd period | $52.10 | 70% |
| Apprentice, 1st period | $44.66 | 60% |
| Groundman | $42.51 | n/a |
At 2,080 straight-time hours, $74.43 per hour equals about $154,800 a year before overtime. Employers also pay a $14.33 per hour NEAP contribution on top of the journeyman wage. Rates differ by local and by region. Check the agreement for your area.
Lineman salary by state
State pay follows the local labor market and union density. The five states with the highest median pay are all on the West Coast, in the Pacific, or in the Northeast. Texas employs the most linemen by far, at a lower median.
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $134,340 | 600 |
| Washington | $133,060 | 2,340 |
| Oregon | $131,090 | 1,640 |
| California | $129,040 | 8,930 |
| Connecticut | $126,850 | 940 |
| Texas | $78,940 | 17,280 |
| Florida | $86,870 | 6,420 |
| New York | $121,280 | 5,840 |
| North Carolina | $77,270 | 5,650 |
Lineman pay by employer type
BLS median pay for electrical power-line installers in the largest industries, May 2025:
- Federal government: $111,900
- Utilities: $103,060
- Local government: $90,060
- Specialty trade contractors: $76,980
- Utility system construction: $76,060
Storm restoration changes the picture. BLS notes that line workers may travel to disaster areas and work long hours for several days in a row. That overtime does not show in base wage data.
Job outlook
BLS projects 10% employment growth for electrical power-line installers from 2025 to 2035. That is much faster than the average for all occupations. BLS expects about 10,900 openings each year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change jobs.
To start the career, read our guide on how to become a lineman.
Lineman Salary FAQ
Sources
Wage data: BLS OEWS May 2025 and BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Union rates: published agreement text. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Line Installers and Repairers (pay, outlook, May 2025 data)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 49-9051, national and state)
- California Outside Line Construction Agreement, June 1, 2022 to May 31, 2027, Exhibit A (IBEW 1245)
- IBEW 1245: Outside line agreement ratified (wage increase schedule)
Find lineman jobs
See open lineman, apprentice and groundman jobs at utilities and line contractors, with pay where the employer lists it.