How to Become a Lineman

From the invention of the telegraph in 1844 to the rollout of the electrical grid in the 1880s, linemen have always played an important role in keeping society powered and connected. When you learn how to become a lineman, you’ll spend your life on the line ensuring that residents, businesses, and government agencies stay connected to the grid and can communicate from long distances.

Being a lineman offers a lot of job security. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 8% increase in new telecommunications line installer and repairer jobs over the next 10 years while general line installer and repairer jobs are expected to grow by 8%.

Learning how to become a lineman can help you map out your career and determine which steps you’ll need to take to land a job. Below, we’ll walk you through the typical duties and skills of a lineman, as well as the training you’ll need to get started.

What Is a Lineman?
A lineman is a skilled tradesperson who typically works for an electric company, telecommunications company, or municipality. Linemen often set up and transmit electricity, cable, internet, and telephone services to residents, businesses, and government agencies. Additionally, they act as first responders when natural disasters and power outages occur.

Linemen are also known as electrical lineworkers and line installers and repairers.

What Does a Lineman Do?
A lineman typically installs, repairs, and maintains electrical power systems and lines. They also identify problems with voltage regulators, transformers, switches, and power lines and strings power lines between standing structures (poles, buildings, and towers) and across roads, lakes, and rivers.

Telecommunications line installers and repairers work for network communications companies that provide telephone, cable, and internet services. Unlike electrical linemen, they work exclusively with fiber optic cables that use light to transmit signals and typically install them underground.

The typical duties of all linemen include:

Working from heights to install lines, cables, and electrical or telecommunications components.
Inspecting and testing electrical or telecommunications devices and lines.
Operating utility work vehicles.
Following safety standards and procedures.
Using hand-held tools such as wrenches, pliers, wire cutters, bolt cutters, and screwdrivers.
Utilizing personal protective gear (PPE) and climbing gear.
Operating bucket trucks when working from heights.
How to Become a Lineman
You can get an entry-level lineman job with just a high school diploma or GED. However, most employers prefer candidates who have some post-secondary training in electronics of telecommunications at a technical institute or community college. Additionally, you should have some basic understanding of algebra and trigonometry, which are courses typically taken in high school.

The skills typically required for a lineman job include:

Superb mechanical skills.
Physical strength and stamina.
Color vision.
Excellent technical skills.
Problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
How Long Is Lineman School?
Post-secondary education for linemen generally takes up to two years to complete. You can choose to pursue an associate degree or post-secondary vocation program in electronics or telecommunications.

The courses you may take include:

Basics of electricity.
Overhead pole and electrical line construction.
Safety standards and protocols.
Use of PPE.
Electrical power systems.
First-aid and CPR training.
OSHA construction training.
You’ll also learn relevant skills such as climbing best practices, cable splicing, voltage measurements, and line tension.

How to Become an Apprentice Lineman
Even after completing post-secondary training, you’ll likely be required to complete an apprenticeship or employee training program.

To be eligible for an apprenticeship, you must be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent. Most employer prefer that you possess one year of high school algebra education, pass an aptitude test, and pass a substance abuse screening.

Apprenticeships typically include 7,000 hours of on-the-job training. During this time, you would work as a lineman apprentice under the supervision of a journeyman lineman and receive classroom training in safety protocol, rigging, grounding, testing, aerial lift pre-flight inspection, three-phase transformer theory, and much more.

An apprenticeship will help you gain hands-on skills for a lineman job, including:
Wire installation and insulation.
The ability to operate a conductor.
Pole and line assembly.
Conductor, line, and electrical system maintenance.
The ability to use fiberglass hot sticks to keep a safe distance from high voltages.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Lineman?
It generally takes anywhere from 4 to 6 years to become a journeyman lineman, but the time it takes to become a lineman depends on whether or not you complete an associate degree, certificate program, post-secondary vocation program, or pre-apprenticeship.

An associate degree or a post-secondary vocation program can take 1 to 2 years to complete. It then takes about 4 years to complete a lineman apprenticeship.

How to Become a Journeyman Lineman
A journeyman lineman is an advanced lineworker position. Unlike an apprentice lineman, a journeyman can work independently and can usually expect a pay bump. Once you’ve successfully completed an apprenticeship and developed the required skills, you’ll be eligible to become a journeyman lineman.

As a journeyman lineman, you’ll have a much higher earning potential than apprentices. Plus, you’ll take on advanced duties such as:

Training and mentoring apprentice linemen.
Developing project plans and blueprints.
Conducting project inspections.
Operating heavy machinery.
Depending on which state you live in, you may be required to get a lineman license. There are currently 30 states that require a journeyman license, each with their own qualifications. Most states will require you to have at least four years or 8,000 hours of work experience and to pass an exam to obtain a journeyman license.

Advanced Lineman Positions
Once you become a journeyman lineman, you’ll have the opportunity to move up to:

Foreman: A lineman foreman oversees daily linework operations and productivity. This position generally requires 4 to 10 years of experience in linework, the ability to read and understand blueprints, and the ability to provide directions to crewmembers.
Troubleman: A troubleman is an experienced lineman who investigates the cause of power outages and other electrical system issues. This position requires a CDL, at least four years of experience in linework, and the ability to operate a bucket-truck.
Additional Credentials for Lineman Jobs
Additional credentials aren’t always required for a lineman job. But many employers will only consider candidates who have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and/or OSHA safety certification.

How to Get a CDL
You’ll need a CDL to operate a utility vehicle. To be eligible for a CDL, take the following steps:

Obtain a commercial learners permit from your state’s registry of motor vehicles (RMV).
Complete CDL driver training, which can take anywhere from four to seven weeks.
Pass the three-part Skills Test, which includes the Vehicle Inspection Test, the Basic Controls Test, and the Road Test.
Apply for a CDL with your state’s RMV
How to Get an OSHA Safety Certification
When you complete the OSHA Safety & Health Fundamentals Certificate program, you demonstrate that you have a full understanding of safety best practices on industrial worksites. This program requires you to complete 39 hours of training in three core areas:

Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry
Introduction to Safety and Health Management
Introduction to Incident (Accident) Investigation
You should then complete four elective courses. The ones that best apply to linemen include:

Electrical Standards
Safe Bolting: Principles and Practices
Fall Hazard Awareness for the Construction Industry
Fall Protection
How Much Does a Lineman Make?
According to the BLS, a lineman salary can range from $48,220 to $119,920 per year. Your pay will likely depend on the type of job you apply for and how much experience you have.

Electrical power-line installers and repairers and journeyman linemen typically earn on the higher end of the salary range, while apprentice linemen will earn less as they gain experience.