What Do Electrical Power-Line Installer or Repairer Do?
Job Description & Duties Install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems. May erect poles and light or heavy duty transmission towers.
Life As an Electrical Power-Line Installer or Repairer
- Dig holes, using augers, and set poles, using cranes and power equipment.
- Identify defective sectionalizing devices, circuit breakers, fuses, voltage regulators, transformers, switches, relays, or wiring, using wiring diagrams and electrical-testing instruments.
- Replace or straighten damaged poles.
- Climb poles or use truck-mounted buckets to access equipment.
- Place insulating or fireproofing materials over conductors and joints.
- Attach cross-arms, insulators, and auxiliary equipment to poles prior to installing them.
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Electrical Power-Line Installer or Repairer Needed Skills
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Types of Electrical Power-Line Installer or Repairer
- Cable Splicer Apprentice
- Linesman
- Aerial Lineman
- Hiker
- Lineman A Class
Electrical Power-Line Installer or Repairer Job Outlook
There were about 120,900 jobs for Electrical Power-Line Installer or Repairer in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 13.9% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 16,800 new jobs for Electrical Power-Line Installer or Repairer by 2026. There will be an estimated 11,700 positions for Electrical Power-Line Installer or Repairer per year.

The states with the most job growth for Electrical Power-Line Installer or Repairer are Nevada, South Carolina, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Montana, or Ohio. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Electrical Power-Line Installer or Repairer Salary
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers make between $38,200 and $101,560 a year.

Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers who work in California, Oregon, or North Dakota, make the highest salaries.
How much do Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $65,120 |
Alaska | $88,050 |
Arizona | $81,950 |
Arkansas | $66,550 |
California | $92,910 |
Colorado | $78,260 |
Connecticut | $78,770 |
Delaware | $78,160 |
Florida | $54,050 |
Georgia | $56,330 |
Hawaii | $87,940 |
Idaho | $84,280 |
Illinois | $78,390 |
Indiana | $64,630 |
Iowa | $69,540 |
Kansas | $73,590 |
Kentucky | $62,900 |
Louisiana | $58,250 |
Maine | $55,980 |
Maryland | $67,870 |
Massachusetts | $88,280 |
Michigan | $74,900 |
Minnesota | $77,070 |
Mississippi | $60,060 |
Missouri | $69,400 |
Montana | $86,500 |
Nebraska | $68,100 |
Nevada | $72,620 |
New Hampshire | $74,090 |
New Jersey | $85,460 |
New Mexico | $64,500 |
New York | $77,340 |
North Carolina | $59,740 |
North Dakota | $88,370 |
Ohio | $68,280 |
Oklahoma | $56,360 |
Oregon | $93,900 |
Pennsylvania | $82,340 |
Rhode Island | $83,260 |
South Carolina | $58,980 |
South Dakota | $76,880 |
Tennessee | $66,690 |
Texas | $58,320 |
Utah | $73,720 |
Vermont | $80,300 |
Virginia | $63,600 |
Washington | $86,100 |
West Virginia | $63,920 |
Wisconsin | $78,200 |
Wyoming | $78,510 |
What Tools & Technology do Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Data entry software
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Computer aided design and drafting CADD software
- Inventory management software
How to Become an Electrical Power-Line Installer or Repairer
Education needed to be an Electrical Power-Line Installer or Repairer:

What work experience do I need to become an Electrical Power-Line Installer or Repairer?

Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers Sector

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Similar Careers
Those who work as an Electrical Power-Line Installer or Repairer sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay
- Pipe Fitters and Steamfitters
References:
Image Credit: Fran Hogan via Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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