In short
Electrical power-line installers and repairers earned a median $95,320 a year in May 2025, about $46 an hour, according to BLS. The bottom 10 percent earned under $51,470 and the top 10 percent over $128,690. Storm restoration overtime, which BLS wage figures leave out, can add a lot to a lineman's year.
Yearly wages for electrical power-line installers and repairers across the U.S., BLS OEWS, May 2025. Hourly figures divide by 2,080 hours, so overtime is not counted. New apprentices usually sit near or below the bottom-quarter line.
| Middle pay | $95,320 a year, roughly $45.83 an hour (May 2025) |
|---|---|
| How most people start | High school or GED to start, then long-term on-the-job training |
| People in the trade | About 131,900 nationwide (2025) |
| Growth to 2035 | BLS expects 10.3% growth |
| Openings a year | Around 10,900, counting retirements |
From the BLS Employment Projections table (2025 to 2035) and May 2025 wage survey. These are U.S. numbers. Local shops may pay above or below them, and apprentices start well under the middle figure.
What moves lineman pay
- Topping out: journeyman linemen earn far more than apprentices and groundmen.
- Storm work: restoration jobs often mean long overtime shifts and per diem.
- Utility vs contractor: utilities may offer steadier hours; contractors may offer more overtime and travel.
- Union scale: outside line locals negotiate wage scales and benefits.
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Straight answers
How much do linemen make an hour?
The median works out to about $46 an hour.
Do linemen make six figures?
Many do. The top 25 percent earned more than $109,740 in May 2025, before overtime.
Why do linemen make so much?
The work is dangerous, physically demanding and requires years of training, and storm work adds overtime.