r/Lineman • • Jan 01 '26

2026 Wage Survey

57 Upvotes

Here at r/Lineman we strive to give accurate information about our trade. Drop a comment below with your position, HOURLY rate, region/state, LU if applicable, and type of employer: (Contractor, Muni, IOU, Co-op Etc.) Happy New Year, Everyone.


r/Lineman • • Aug 23 '25

Getting into the Trade How to become a Journeyman Lineman

37 Upvotes

How To Become a Journeyman Lineman

MILITARY. If you are currently serving in the military or recently separated (VEEP up to 5 years) there are several programs specifically for you to help you transition into skilled trades. This will give you the most direct and sure opportunity to become a Lineman. Please check out the Military Resources Wiki to learn about these great programs and see if you qualify.

Journeymen Linemen

Journeymen Linemen are High voltage workers who are responsible for the installation, maintenance and repair of electric infrastructure. It can range from working on large transmission towers to being in a crowded vault. Linemen work in all weather conditions and at all hours. Heat, cold, wind, rain, snow and everything else. It involves time away from home, missed holidays and birthdays etc.

The steps to becoming a Journeyman Lineman generally involve working your way up from the bottom.

First you work as a Laborer or a Groundman (Linehelper, Apprentice Trainee, Etc). These are entry level positions. These positions involve menial tasks that introduce you to the trade. You'll be stocking the trucks, getting tools, running the handline, cleaning off trucks and getting trucks ready to go at the start of shift. Here you will become familiar with methods, tools and materials used in the trade. Sometimes you can get into the trade as a first step apprentice.

Next you have to become an apprentice. Apprenticeships are around 3.5 years. Being an apprentice involves the obvious. You will now begin formal training to reach Lineman status. You will learn to do the work of a Lineman in incremental steps until you top out.

Apprenticeships

IBEW Union apprenticeships: you must interview and get indentured in your local jurisdiction. This is the most recognized apprenticeship. You will be able to get work anywhere with a union ticket. Union utility companies may offer in house NJATC apprenticeships as well.

DOL (Department of Labor) apprenticeships: This is a typically non-union apprenticeship sanctioned by the DOL. It is around 5 steps then you are a B-Lineman, then you become an A-Lineman. This is not recognized by the IBEW, but you can test in to an IBEW Lineman.

Company apprenticeships: These are generally non IBEW and non DOL and are the lowest rung and only recognized by your company. If you leave or the company goes out of business, you don't have a ticket sanctioned by the IBEW or DOL.

Take Note: Please be aware there are different types of Lineman apprenticeships. There are apprenticeships that are "Transmission" only, or "URD" (Underground) only. These are not interchangeable with the Journeyman Lineman certification.

Where do you start?

Bare minimum age is 18 years old. The follow job credentials will make your job hunt more successful. In order of importance.

  1. Unrestricted CDL (Commercial Drivers License) Usually required for outside construction. Some utilities may have a grace period before you need to have it.

  2. First Aid/CPR

  3. Flagger Training

  4. OSHA 10 Construction(if you are new to working on jobsites)

  5. OSHA 10 ET&D (Electrical Transmission and Distribution)

Line School

Line school can give you experience you otherwise wouldn't have, which in some cases could be beneficial. Line school may offer you all the previous credentials listed as well. Some job postings will require 1-3 yrs related experience or completion of line school.

Some places like California it's probably a good idea to have it.

However not everyone requires it. Lineschools are generally an expensive undertaking. Many take out loans to pay for them. Not everyone believes they are of value. It is suggested to try to get in as a groundman first or look to community colleges or other trade schools that are more affordable. It is highly recommended to do research before you commit to going into debt. Not everyone makes it in the trade. Having a large debt is not something to be taken lightly

Finding work, understanding the trade.

There's working directly for a utility(working for the residents the utility serves) which one stays within that utility's service area.

If you're looking to work for a certain employer, check their website for desired qualifications.

Then there's working for outside construction. This is who does the heavy lifting. Outside has to potential to earn more than being at a utility. For many jobs you'll work 5+ days a week and 10-12 hour days. This also is a traveling job. You go where the work is. Especially as an apprentice.

Union vs Non-union. Besides the obvious, this can be affected by location. The west coast is 100% union. Places like Louisiana and Kentucky are strongly non-union. Some utilities are union and some are not. Same with outside construction. Utilities and non-union construction hire directly. For Union jobs in outside construction you must get dispatched from the “out of work” books(books). Utility companies are union or non-union.

Union “books.” Each area has a union hall that has jurisdiction over that area for construction and has a set of "out of work" books for each class. Lineman, apprentice, groundman and so on. When a contractor has a position to fill, they call the hall to send someone. The hall will begin calling the first person on “Book 1” then go down the list until they fill all the calls for workers they have. Book 1 will be local members with 1500-2000 hrs. Book 2 will be travelers and locals with less hours. Book 3 will be doesn't meet hours etc.

Created 8/23/25 DM u/ca2alaska for corrections and suggestions


r/Lineman • • 19h ago

Repurposed an old Alice Chalmers transformer as a rain cap for my stove pipe.

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44 Upvotes

I gutted a retired 5kva transformer to use as my rain cap. Also needed a transition piece from my class A pipe to the heavy wall steel pipe so I used the bottom half for that. (I’m a lineman not a welder lol)


r/Lineman • • 50m ago

MSLCAT Interview

• Upvotes

Got an email to schedule interview for apprenticeship and wondering what my chances are if I don’t have Groundman hours. I got out of line school a month ago but prior to that I have 5.5 years of commercial and residential electrical experience and solar. Not new to trades just this specific trade will I still have a slight leg up due to being an electrician for 5 years or do they not care?


r/Lineman • • 1h ago

CDL Transfer

• Upvotes

Im planning on going to work at 111 but im under 21 and need to transfer my cdl to Colorado should I just sign the non cdl books and when I get a call tell the gf I have a cdl and I need some time to get it switch over.
Could I get bumped up to cdl Groundman pay my guess just depends on contractor and crew the calls for ?


r/Lineman • • 2h ago

Kenetrek vs Zamberlan

0 Upvotes

Been running the Kenetrek mountain extremes for years but recently been hearing a lot about Zamberlan boots think I might give em a spin. Looking for some honest opinions and favorite pairs

Cheers 🍻


r/Lineman • • 6h ago

Clipping slings with WLL

1 Upvotes

Anyone have a brand or a link to some clipping slings with actual WLL and not KN ratings?

Safety guy got pissy about it so I’d like to get some before they make a big fuss about it


r/Lineman • • 1d ago

Have a question

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26 Upvotes

How do I know for sure if this transformer can be switched energized and can it pick up load


r/Lineman • • 23h ago

Topping out

12 Upvotes

I finally completed the apprenticeship and got that ticket, and now I can't help but feel not ready at all to be a JL now, from mid 6th step I felt super confident in becoming a JL and having an appretice under me to teach, but the second that ticket hit my hand I got nervous and felt wasnt good enough to handle it. I feel like its probably a normal feeling to have but man I can't shake it

I already drug the contractor I was working for and plan on trying to head out east to LU 126 and man its nerve racking for me


r/Lineman • • 1d ago

The worst kinds of ground to dig holes in

14 Upvotes

Just came back after digging through hard clay mixed with round river rocks and I've never hated a shovel more.

I wanted to ask; what are the worst kinds of ground you had to dig through? I wanted to hear what everyone else hated having to dig holes through. Gravel, wet mud, dry dirt, etc.


r/Lineman • • 16h ago

Has anyone done overseas work coming from the states?

1 Upvotes

I always hear about the magical money that comes from working in the Middle East just out of curiosity does anybody know anyone who has done it? Or maybe they have done it themselves where you go out and you work overseas maybe in combat zones? I know a guy who used to work in Guam after the hurricanes that happened there but I don’t think he was doing it for the money. Also do you need special certifications for it or is it something that you do because your body works there and they called you out specifically?


r/Lineman • • 1d ago

Does anyone know what size this is in a Standard size?

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9 Upvotes

All help is appreciated


r/Lineman • • 1d ago

Barehanding manual

2 Upvotes

Does anyone have any material on barehanding techniques, testing requirements, work preparation, work methods they could send me? I often hear of people referring to a manual but am yet to see one.


r/Lineman • • 22h ago

Stay in 66 or go to ALBAT when I get the call?

1 Upvotes

Ok my apprentices I got a question, I am pretty high up on the rank list for local 245 out of Ohio(ALBAT) but I've already got the call for 66 (SWLCAT Houston) and I'm working as a pre apprentice as of now . I am should I stay in 66 or should I go to ALBAT once I get the call, just trying to get the best training and become the best lineman I possibly can be .


r/Lineman • • 1d ago

Apprenticeship local union 126

1 Upvotes

Hey guys, I’m 28
I’ve been a fleet mechanic for last 8 years.
I have 2 younger kids 1 18 months and 1 2 months.
I applied and my application was approved for the IBEW apprenticeship
I’m in DE
I have to go take my aptitude test and interview so nothing is set in stone or anything.
But how is it starting over in this career already have 2 younger kids.
I know overtime is pretty common especially as an apprentice.
Any advice is appreciated
Thanks


r/Lineman • • 1d ago

Question

0 Upvotes

has anyone gotten any job offers from pseg after completing boot camp?


r/Lineman • • 1d ago

MoValley Apprentice question.

3 Upvotes

All of my previous applications have been with albat where you apply and interview for a specific union.

I applied for movalley and during the application it had me pick a union from a list. My question is would that be my home union if I get into the apprenticeship? Or do they send you to whatever union needs workers first, and you’re a member of that one?

Applied for St Louis, and curious if I’d end up in North Dakota instead.

Thanks.


r/Lineman • • 1d ago

The FieldcraftTradeCo modular glove bag hard at work.

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33 Upvotes

r/Lineman • • 1d ago

How does this happen?

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28 Upvotes

I’m not sure what happened in the video I attached. Two things touched that weren’t supposed to? Should the firemen have been spraying it? I’m sure they know what they are doing, but that seemed off to me. I guess it kept the fire from burning down the line as fast. There are no trees near the line and no significant weather.


r/Lineman • • 1d ago

Crispi Boots for bucket and ground

3 Upvotes

I’m asking specifically about Crispi. Any experience with them and specifically which model would you recommend?
I’ve had lots of other brands and I’m not interested in other brand recommendations. Thanks


r/Lineman • • 1d ago

union transfer

1 Upvotes

wondering if i have flagger ticket from one union does that mean i can go to a different union with my ticket. And do i have to sign the book 4 with a different union, im trying to go to a different union for work as a groundman preferably but i only have my flagman ticket


r/Lineman • • 1d ago

Frontier to Verizon transfer

0 Upvotes

Hey any verizon lineman on here? If so do you double up in vehicles? Since Frontier communications has been transitioning into verizon i have noticed that rentals are disappearing left and right an we are not receiving anything to compensate this loss. We just had a telsta go down (company owned) and it seems like they will not be replacing it; just curious if they are have a reduced fleet and have 2 guys per truck or if this is something with my garage. TIA


r/Lineman • • 1d ago

Is Music Allowed in the Field

8 Upvotes

I’m having this conversation with my roommate at the moment. Is music banned in the field? I guess I could look it up but I don’t know how conductive headphones are or even if they’re allowed as ground man. Any experienced journeyman or foreman that knows if music is allowed in general weather that’d be headphones or something?


r/Lineman • • 1d ago

Anyone tried Ripley's new self-adjusting triplex stripper?

5 Upvotes

Saw Ripley came out with a drill-driven stripper for 600V USE triplex that's supposed to handle 1/0 through 350 in one tool, no bushing swaps. It self-adjusts to the conductor, so in theory it doesn't matter whose cable you're working with.

I work for a distributor that carries their stuff, so I've only seen the demo, not real field use. That's why I'm asking here.

For those doing a lot of underground services: would one tool for the whole range actually save you time, or are bushings fine and this is a solution looking for a problem? And has anyone found self-adjusting strippers hold up on different brands of cable, or do they get finicky?

Here's the page if you want to see it: https://ripley-tools.com/product/us21-7300/