### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			line installers and repairers imageLine installers and repairers often work in teams to install and fix cables and wires.							
						Quick Facts:     Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers2023     Median Pay
            						$85,420     per year
										$41.07     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    High school diploma or equivalentWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    Long-term on-the-job trainingNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    122,400Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    3% (As fast as average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    3,500What Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers Do
                                                
                        
                        
Electrical power-line installers and repairers install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Electrical power-line installers and repairers encounter serious hazards on the job, including working with high-voltage electricity, often at great heights. The work also can be physically demanding. Most electrical power-line installers and repairers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
            
                                                How to Become an Electrical Power-Line Installer and Repairer
                                                
                        
To enter the occupation, electrical power-line installers and repairers typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. To become proficient, they typically require technical instruction and on-the-job training. Apprenticeships are common.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for electrical power-line installers and repairers was $85,420 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of electrical power-line installers and repairers is projected to grow							 3 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
						About 9,700 openings for electrical power-line installers and repairers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for electrical power-line installers and repairers.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of electrical power-line installers and repairers with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about electrical power-line installers and repairers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers Do 
            

			Line installers and repairersElectrical power-line installers and repairers use a truck-mounted bucket to access equipment.			
Electrical power-line installers and repairers install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems. They also may erect poles or transmission towers.
Duties
Electrical power-line installers and repairers typically do the following:
Install, maintain, or repair the power lines that move electricity
String electrical cable and wires between poles, towers, and buildings
Identify defective devices, voltage regulators, transformers, and switches
Inspect and test electrical power lines and auxiliary equipment
Climb poles and transmission towers and use truck-mounted buckets to reach equipment
Operate power equipment when installing and repairing poles, towers, and linesElectrical power-line installers and repairers install and maintain the power grid: the network of cables and wires that moves electricity from generating plants to consumers. They routinely work with high-voltage electricity, which requires extreme caution.
Electrical power-line installers and repairers who maintain the interstate power grid work on crews that travel throughout a region to service transmission lines and towers. Those who are employed by local utilities maintain equipment such as transformers, voltage regulators, and switches. They also may work on traffic lights and street lights.
Workers generally start a new project by digging underground trenches or erecting utility poles and towers to carry the wires and cables. They use a variety of construction equipment, including trucks equipped with augers and cranes to dig holes and set poles in place.
To identify maintenance needs, electrical power-line installers and repairers check for outage reports from remote monitoring, aerial inspections, and customers.
To fix an electrical power-line problem, workers must first identify the cause through diagnostic testing with specialized equipment. To work on poles, electrical power-line installers usually use bucket trucks to raise themselves to the top of the structure. They sometimes need to climb poles and towers, using special safety equipment to keep from falling.
 Work Environment
			Line installers and repairersElectrical power-line installers and repairers may be required to work at great heights.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Electrical power-line installers and repairers held about 122,400 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of electrical power-line installers and repairers were as follows:
        Utilities
                50%Utility system construction
                31Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                11Specialty trade contractors
                4Federal government
                2The work of electrical power-line installers and repairers can be physically demanding. They must be comfortable working at great heights and in confined spaces. They must be able to climb utility poles and transmission towers, as well as to balance while working on them.
Electrical power-line installers and repairers work outdoors in all types of weather, such as rain or wind when storms and other natural disasters damage power lines, to restore electricity. They often drive utility vehicles, and those who are part of a crew working on interstate power grids may need to travel long distances.
Injuries and Illnesses
Electrical power-line installers and repairers encounter serious hazards in their jobs and must follow safety procedures to minimize danger.
These workers may be electrocuted if they come in contact with a live cable on a high-voltage power line. When workers engage live wires, they use electrically insulated protective devices and tools to minimize their risk.
To prevent injuries when working on poles or towers, electrical power-line installers and repairers use fall-protection equipment. Safety procedures and training have reduced the danger for electrical power-line installers and repairers.
Work Schedules
Most electrical power-line installers and repairers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. In emergencies or after storms and other natural disasters, they may have to travel to impacted areas and work long hours for several days in a row.
 How to Become an Electrical Power-Line Installer and Repairer

			Line installers and repairersMost electrical power-line installers and repairers have a high school diploma and receive long-term on-the-job training.			
To enter the occupation, electrical power-line installers and repairers typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. To become proficient, they typically need technical instruction and on-the-job training. Apprenticeships are common.
Education
Electrical line installers and repairers typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. Employers may prefer to hire candidates who have basic knowledge of algebra and trigonometry. In addition, technical knowledge of electricity or electronics obtained through military service, vocational programs, or community colleges may be helpful.
Some community colleges offer programs for electrical power-line installers and repairers that lead to a 1-year certificate or 2-year associate’s degree. These programs cover topics such as electrical distribution, line construction, and pole top and bucket rescue. The programs also may include an internship or hands-on fieldwork.
Training
Electrical power-line installers and repairers typically complete apprenticeships or other employer-sponsored training programs. These programs, which may last up to 3 years, combine on-the-job training with technical instruction and are sometimes administered jointly by the employer and the union representing the workers.
Qualifications to enter an apprenticeship program may include a high school diploma or equivalent, 1 year of high school algebra or the college-level equivalent, a qualifying score on an aptitude test, and passing a substance abuse screening. Apprentices also may have to meet physical requirements, including passing a fitness test.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Although not mandatory, certification is available for electrical power-line installers and repairers. For example, the Electrical Training Alliance offers certification for electrical power-line installation as part of its apprenticeship program.
Workers who drive heavy vehicles usually need a state-issued commercial driver’s license (CDL). Workers who drive crews that cross state lines need an interstate CDL, which may have additional requirements regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Other requirements, such as medical or other certifications and minimum age, vary by state. Check with your state for more details.
Advancement
After 3 or 4 years of working, qualified electrical power-line apprentices reach the journey level. A journey-level worker is no longer considered an apprentice and can perform most tasks without supervision.
Experienced electrical power-line installers and repairers may become supervisors or trainers.
Important Qualities
***Ability to work at heights.***Electrical power-line installers and repairers must be comfortable working at great heights. They may work from ladders or bucket lifts and climb utility poles.
***Color vision*.** Workers who handle electrical wires and cables must be able to distinguish colors because the wires and cables are often color coded.
***Interpersonal skills*.** Because these workers rely on their fellow crew members for safety, they must be able to collaborate as part of a team.
***Physical stamina*.** Electrical power-line installers and repairers often must climb poles with heavy tools and equipment.
***Physical strength*.** Electrical power-line installers and repairers must be able to lift heavy tools, cables, and equipment on the job.
***Problem-solving skills*.** Electrical power-line installers and repairers must diagnose problems in electrical systems and lines and be able to repair or replace faulty equipment.
***Technical skills*.**Electrical power-line installers use diagnostic equipment on circuit breakers, switches, and transformers. They must be familiar with electrical systems and the appropriate tools needed to fix and maintain them.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Electrical Power-Line Installers and RepairersMedian annual wages, May 2023Electrical power-line installers and repairers$85,420  Other installation, maintenance, and repair occupations$50,200  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for electrical power-line installers and repairers was $85,420 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $48,220, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $119,920.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for electrical power-line installers and repairers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Federal government
                $104,440Utilities
                98,330Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                82,360Specialty trade contractors
                75,030Utility system construction
                69,000Most electrical power-line installers and repairers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. In emergencies or after storms and other natural disasters, they may have to travel to impacted areas and work long hours for several days in a row.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
               Electrical Power-Line Installers and RepairersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Other installation, maintenance, and repair occupations5%  Electrical power-line installers and repairers3%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of electrical power-line installers and repairers is projected to grow				 3 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
			
			About 9,700 openings for electrical power-line installers and repairers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Employment of electrical power-line installers and repairers is expected to grow, largely due to increasing electrical grid needs. With each new housing development or business complex, new electric power lines are installed and will require maintenance. The increasing prevalence of electric vehicles will also require more of these workers to install new grid connections. In addition, the interstate power grid will continue to become more complex to ensure reliability.
			

                        Employment projections data for     electrical power-line installers and repairers, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Electrical power-line installers and repairers**
			49-9051
			122,400
			125,800
			3
			3,500
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Electrical power-line installers and repairers **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of electrical power-line installers and repairers. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Electrical and Electronics Engineers**
            Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacture of electrical equipment.
            Bachelor's degree
            $109,010**Electricians**
            Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $61,590**Power Plant Operators, Distributors, and Dispatchers**
            Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers control the systems that generate and distribute electric power.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $100,890**Telecommunications Technicians**
            Telecommunications technicians install, maintain, and repair radio, internet, and other telecommunications infrastructure.
            See How to Become One
            $62,350
 Contacts for More Information
								
For details about apprenticeships or other work opportunities in this occupation, contact the offices of the state employment service, the state apprenticeship agency, local unions, or firms that employ electrical power-line installers and repairers. Apprenticeship information is available from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship program online or by phone at 1 (877) 872-5627. Visit Apprenticeship.gov to search for apprenticeship opportunities.
For more information about line installers and repairers, visit
American Public Power Association
Center for Energy Workforce Development
For information about certification or training programs, visit
Electrical Training ALLIANCE
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/line-installers-and-repairers.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


**U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics**
Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections 
PSB Suite 2135 
2 Massachusetts Avenue NE  
Washington, DC 20212-0001 Telephone:1-202-691-5700 

www.bls.gov/ooh
Contact OOH