To become a lineman in the US, you usually need a high school diploma and then complete an apprenticeship or employer-run training program, which can last up to 3 years. Most linemen also need a commercial driver's license (CDL) to drive heavy utility vehicles, and after 3 or 4 years of work, apprentices reach journey level.
You don't need a degree, but you do need to pass more than a job interview to get in. The entry tests are the part people don't expect.
Everything here comes from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook page for electrical power-line installers and repairers, read on 26 October 2026. BLS doesn't use the word lineman, but that's the job it describes.
Lineman pay and jobs at a glance
| Measure | BLS figure |
|---|---|
| Median pay (May 2025) | $95,320 a year, $45.83 an hour |
| Lowest 10 in every 100 earned less than | $51,470 |
| Highest 10 in every 100 earned more than | $128,690 |
| Jobs in 2025 | 131,900 |
| Projected growth 2025 to 2035 | 10%, much faster than average |
| Openings each year | About 10,900 on average |
Those pay figures are as of October 2026, from the May 2025 BLS wage survey.
The route in, step by step
- Finish high school or an equivalent. Employers may prefer candidates with basic algebra and trigonometry.
- Consider a community college program. Some lead to a 1-year certificate or a 2-year associate's degree covering electrical distribution, line construction and pole top and bucket rescue, sometimes with an internship.
- Apply for an apprenticeship or employer-run training program. These can last up to 3 years and combine on-the-job training with technical instruction, sometimes run jointly by the employer and the union.
- Get a commercial driver's license. Workers who drive heavy vehicles usually need a state CDL, and crews that cross state lines need an interstate CDL.
- Work toward journey level. BLS says qualified apprentices reach it after 3 or 4 years of working, when they can do most tasks without supervision.
The entry tests most people don't see coming
Getting into an apprenticeship can take more than a diploma. BLS lists the qualifications programs may ask for:
- A high school diploma or equivalent.
- 1 year of high school algebra, or the college-level equivalent.
- A qualifying score on an aptitude test.
- Passing a substance abuse screening.
- Meeting physical requirements, including passing a fitness test.
So brush up on algebra before you apply, and treat the fitness test as seriously as the written one. The job involves climbing utility poles and transmission towers and balancing while you work on them, so programs want to know you can do that safely.
Where linemen work and what it pays
Utilities employ half of all electrical power-line installers and repairers. Utility system construction comes next at 29 in every 100, then local government at 10 in every 100.
| Industry | Median pay, May 2025 |
|---|---|
| Federal government | $111,900 |
| Utilities | $103,060 |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | $90,060 |
| Specialty trade contractors | $76,980 |
| Utility system construction | $76,060 |
So working directly for a utility paid a median of $103,060 against $76,060 in utility system construction, as of October 2026. If you start with a contractor, a move to a utility later is one of the clearest pay steps in this trade.
What the job is really like
- Working at great heights and in confined spaces.
- Working outdoors in rain, wind and storms to restore power.
- Driving utility vehicles, and travelling long distances if you're on a crew for interstate power grids.
- Following strict safety procedures, because contact with a live high-voltage cable can be fatal.
Most linemen work full time and some work more than 40 hours a week. After storms and other disasters, BLS says they may travel to affected areas and work long hours for several days in a row. That's when the overtime comes, and it's also when the job is at its hardest.
Is it a good trade to get into now?
BLS projects 10% growth from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average, mostly because of rising electricity demand and the needs of the electrical grid. With about 10,900 openings a year, there's steady room for new apprentices.
If you're comparing trades, our guide to blue-collar jobs for women looks at skilled trades that pay well, and this piece on trade school as a route into work covers why skills-based training can beat a degree for some people.
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How to prepare before you apply
You can't control when a utility opens its apprenticeship intake, but you can control how ready you are. Revise algebra so the aptitude test isn't a surprise, and work on the fitness side too, since you'll be climbing poles and towers. If you don't already have a CDL, find out what your state asks for, because you'll usually need one to drive the heavy vehicles. A 1-year certificate from a community college isn't required, but it can give you the basics before you start, including pole top and bucket rescue.
Moving up
Experienced linemen can become supervisors or trainers, according to BLS. Journey level is the main milestone, since that's when you're no longer an apprentice and can work most tasks without supervision.
My verdict
Lineman work pays well for a job that doesn't need a degree: a median of $95,320, with growth well above average. The price of entry is an apprenticeship of up to 3 years, a CDL and tests that check your algebra, your fitness and your aptitude. If you're comfortable with heights and bad weather, prepare for those tests before you apply, and aim for a utility employer where you can, because that's where BLS shows the higher pay.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a lineman?
Apprenticeships can last up to 3 years, and BLS says qualified apprentices reach journey level after 3 or 4 years of working.
Do you need a degree to be a lineman?
No. A high school diploma is the typical requirement, though some community colleges offer 1-year certificates or 2-year associate's degrees.
Do linemen need a CDL?
Workers who drive heavy vehicles usually need a state commercial driver's license, and crews that cross state lines need an interstate CDL.
How much do linemen make?
BLS reports a median of $95,320 a year for electrical power-line installers and repairers in May 2025, as of October 2026.
What tests do you take to get into a lineman apprenticeship?
Programs may require a qualifying aptitude test score, 1 year of high school algebra, a substance abuse screening and a fitness test.
Who employs the most linemen?
Utilities employ half of electrical power-line installers and repairers, according to BLS.
