How to become an electrical power-line installers and repairer

Install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems. May erect poles and light or heavy duty transmission towers.

Steps to get there

Most employers expect usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

What electrical power-line installers and repairers do

• Adhere to safety practices and procedures, such as checking equipment regularly and erecting barriers around work areas.
• Drive vehicles equipped with tools and materials to job sites.
• Open switches or attach grounding devices to remove electrical hazards from disturbed or fallen lines or to facilitate repairs.
• Inspect and test power lines and auxiliary equipment to locate and identify problems, using reading and testing instruments.
• Coordinate work assignment preparation and completion with other workers.
• Travel in trucks, helicopters, and airplanes to inspect lines for freedom from obstruction and adequacy of insulation.

Skills that matter most

• Active Listening
• Monitoring
• Critical Thinking
• Reading Comprehension
• Active Learning
• Speaking
• Learning Strategies
• Writing

Is electrical power-line installers and repairer a good career?

On the numbers, this job pays above the typical job. Median pay is 87% above the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.

Where it pays most

• Hawaii $134,340
• Washington $133,060
• Oregon $131,090
• California $129,040
• Connecticut $126,850

Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers salary by state and city

Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.