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Are you ready for a hands-on job that keeps the lights on in your community? Electrical Power-Line Installers work at the heart of the energy system, making sure homes and businesses stay connected.
All data shown on this page reflects the six-county Heart of Texas region: Bosque, Falls, Freestone, Hill, Limestone, and McLennan counties.
All data shown on this page reflects the six-county Heart of Texas region: Bosque, Falls, Freestone, Hill, Limestone, and McLennan counties.
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High School Diploma or Equivalent
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Minimum Education Required
Electricial Power-Line Installers & Repairers
Career Overview
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers (SOC 49-9051) build, maintain, and repair the power lines that keep electricity flowing to homes, businesses, and entire communities. They install and repair wires, poles, and cables, often working outdoors and at great heights to restore power after storms or upgrade equipment. It’s a physically active, hands-on career that is key to keeping the lights on, technology running, and communities safe.
Starting Annual Salary
2022-2032 Job Growth
Minimum Education
High School Diploma or Equivalent
Training programs and the HRTX colleges where they are offered are listed below. Click the links to view each college’s program web page.
About Electricial Power-Line Installers & Repairers
What do Electrical Power-Line Installers & Repairers do?
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers do more than climb poles—they keep the power grid running and communities connected. In this section, you’ll explore what the job is like, from daily tasks and key skills to where they work, what they earn, and why this high-demand career is worth considering. Click through the sliders below to learn more about this essential trade!
$49,552
2023 Starting Annual Salary
$70,255
2023 Mean Annual Salary
$80,606
2023 Experienced Annual Salary
$23.82
2023 Starting Hourly Wage
$33.78
2023 Mean Hourly Wage
$38.75
2023 Experienced Hourly Wage
Lineworkers earn strong wages for the skills and risks involved in keeping our power flowing. Pay increases with experience, certifications, and leadership roles, offering both financial stability and growth opportunities. Want to see how your future earnings could support your goals? Use the Texas Reality Check tool linked below.
Linemen
Build, maintain, and repair power lines to keep electricity flowing safely to homes, schools, and businesses.
Apprentice Linemen
Train alongside experienced linemen, learning how to climb poles, handle equipment, and install or fix power lines.
Energy Technicians
Specialize in monitoring and servicing energy systems, from power lines to renewable energy equipment.
Construction Technicians
Support electrical projects by helping install, assemble, and maintain power systems on job sites.
Groundmen
Work on the ground to support linemen by preparing tools, handling materials, and ensuring safe operations.
Substation Technicians
Maintain and repair substations that regulate and distribute electricity across communities.
Not all linework jobs are exactly the same—employers post for different roles depending on the type of work needed. In this section, you’ll see the most common job titles in the Heart of Texas region, from general line installers to specialized technicians. These titles give you a clear picture of the specific roles you could step into once you’re trained and certified.
Inspect & Test Equipment
Use meters and testing tools to check lines and devices, spotting problems before they cause outages.
Climb Poles or Use Buckets
Scale utility poles or operate bucket trucks to reach high electrical lines and equipment.
String & Secure WIres
Stretch and fasten wires or cables between poles, towers, or buildings, adjusting them with winches for the right tension.
Install & Repair Systems
Work with cables, wires, transformers, circuit breakers, and switches to keep power flowing smoothly.
Replace or Straighten Poles
Repair or reset utility poles that are damaged by storms, accidents, or wear and tear.
Follow Safety Practices
Regularly check tools and equipment, set up barriers, and follow safety procedures to protect yourself and others on the job site.
From installing and repairing power lines to restoring electricity after storms, lineworkers handle high-stakes tasks every day. They climb poles, use specialized tools, and troubleshoot problems to keep communities connected.
Building & Construction
Understanding the materials, tools, and methods used to set poles, repair lines, and safely build or restore electrical systems.
English Language
Reading instructions, safety manuals, and reports clearly—and communicating with your crew and supervisors on the job.
Public Safety & Security
Following strict safety rules, using protective gear, and applying procedures that keep workers and communities safe around high-voltage power.
Mechanical
Working confidently with machines, tools, and equipment—repairing, operating, and maintaining them to keep power flowing.
Education & Training
Applying the skills and knowledge learned in training programs, apprenticeships, and ongoing certifications to real-world work.
Transportation
Knowing how to safely move crews, tools, and equipment to and from job sites using trucks and other specialized vehicles.
Success in this career requires a mix of electrical knowledge, mechanical know-how, safety procedures, and problem-solving skills. These areas of expertise ensure lineworkers can handle complex equipment and work safely under pressure.
Active Listening
Paying close attention to crew instructions and safety calls so every job gets done right and safely.
Complex Problem Solving
Tackling big challenges, like restoring power after a storm, by thinking through options and finding the best solution.
Operation & Control
Handling the tools, bucket trucks, and equipment needed to repair and maintain power lines.
Troubleshooting
Figuring out why a line, pole, or piece of equipment isn’t working—and knowing the best way to fix it.
Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, meters, and equipment indicators to make sure everything is running smoothly and safely.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and good judgment to decide the safest and most effective way to handle tricky repairs or installations.
Common Skills
Teamwork, attention to detail, and strong communication are key. Lineworkers also rely on quick decision-making, active listening, and technical skills to respond effectively in challenging and sometimes dangerous situations. Check out this list to see what common skills you need to get the job done.
Electric Power Distribution
Maintain and repair the systems that deliver electricity directly to neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces.
Other Electric Power Generation
Support facilities that create electricity from different energy sources, keeping power flowing to homes and businesses.
Electrical Contractors & Other Wiring Installation Contractors
Join specialized crews that handle electrical systems for construction projects, utilities, and repair jobs.
All Other Telecommunications
Install and maintain lines that keep internet, phone, and other communication systems connected.
Junior Colleges
Help train the next generation of power-line workers by sharing real-world skills and safety knowledge in classroom and lab settings.
Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation
Work in plants powered by coal, oil, or natural gas, making sure the grid gets reliable energy.
Lineworkers are needed anywhere electricity powers homes, schools, and businesses. Most work for utility companies, contractors, or government agencies, often outdoors in all weather conditions and sometimes traveling for emergency repairs. See where you could work as an Electrical Power-Line Installer in the Heart of Texas.
Education & Training
What You Need to Become an Electrical Power-Line Installer & Repairer
Thinking about a career that takes you outdoors, challenges you with hands-on work, and keeps communities connected? This section shows you what it takes to get started—from the training and certifications you’ll need to the different entry options available. You’ll also discover local programs in the Heart of Texas designed to help you launch your career.
Career Entry Options
There’s more than one path into this high-demand trade. Some linemen start with short-term training programs, while others commit to longer apprenticeships or earn associate degrees. The right option depends on how quickly you want to enter the workforce and how far you want to grow in your career.
Regional Training Programs
The Heart of Texas is home to specialized training that can help you start your career close to home. McLennan Community College (MCC) offers a lineman training program where students practice climbing poles, using industry equipment, and mastering electrical safety—all under the guidance of experienced instructors.
Opportunities & Outlook
Your Future as an Electrical Power-Line Installer & Repairer
This career is growing strong. Electrical power-line installers and repairers in the Heart of Texas are projected to see 12.8% job growth from 2022–2032. In 2024, about 230 people worked in this field locally, with an average of 24 new job openings each year. That means steady demand and plenty of opportunity for those ready to power up their careers.
Projected Growth
2024 Job Size
New Jobs Each Year
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