The median lineman salary in the USA is $92,560 a year in 2026 — about $44.50 an hour — according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That makes it one of the best-paid skilled trades you can enter without a college degree. The catch? You earn it climbing utility poles and working high-voltage lines, often in the worst weather — which is exactly why the pay is so high.
Why linemen are paid so well
Linemen — officially electrical power-line installers and repairers — build and maintain the power grid. It’s skilled, dangerous, physically demanding work performed at height around high voltage, and that risk premium is built into the pay. Demand is steady (the grid never stops needing maintenance), with about 10,700 openings a year and 7% projected growth. For anyone asking how much do linemen make, the honest answer is “a lot, for a trade you can enter straight out of high school.”
Storm work and overtime: where the big money is
Most linemen are paid hourly, and that’s a feature, not a bug. When storms knock out power, utilities call in crews to work around the clock at overtime and double-time rates. “Storm chasers” who travel to disaster areas can earn enormous overtime — sometimes adding tens of thousands to a year’s pay. The late nights and emergency call-outs are demanding, but they’re also why a journeyman lineman hourly rate can translate into a six-figure year.
Lineman salary by experience
- Apprentice (0–4 yrs) — around $52,350, earning while you train through a 3–4 year apprenticeship.
- Journeyman (median) — $92,560.
- Top 10% / storm work — $120,000+.
- Foreman / general foreman — highest, overseeing crews.
Lineman Salary by State
Location is the biggest factor in the lineman salary by state. California, Hawaii, and the West Coast pay the most, while parts of the South sit lower:
| State | Average salary | Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| California | $103,000 | $49.52 |
| Hawaii | $98,440 | $47.33 |
| Washington | $96,000 | $46.15 |
| New York | $94,000 | $45.19 |
| Oregon | $90,000 | $43.27 |
| Illinois | $88,000 | $42.31 |
| Texas | $80,000 | $38.46 |
| Florida | $74,000 | $35.58 |
| Georgia | $70,000 | $33.65 |
| Mississippi | $60,000 | $28.85 |
Note the tax angle: states like Texas, Florida, Washington, and Nevada have no state income tax, so a lineman there keeps more of the gross than the headline figure suggests — worth weighing against the higher gross in California.
What else affects a lineman’s pay
- Union vs non-union — union linemen (IBEW) typically earn more, with strong pensions and benefits.
- Overtime and storm work — the single biggest swing factor in real take-home.
- Specialty — transmission and substation work pays more than distribution.
- State and cost of living — as the table shows.
Is becoming a lineman worth it?
For one of the highest ceilings of any no-degree trade, it’s hard to beat. You earn while you train, reach a median above $92,000, and can push well past six figures with overtime and storm work — all without student debt. The trade-offs are real, though: it’s genuinely dangerous, physically punishing, and the emergency call-outs mean unpredictable hours. For those who can handle the risk, the pay is among the best in the trades.
Frequently asked questions
How much do linemen make an hour in the USA?
The median is about $44.50 an hour in 2026, from roughly $23/hour for apprentices to $57+/hour for experienced journeymen, before overtime and storm pay.
Do linemen really earn six figures?
Yes — the median is $92,560, and with overtime and storm work many experienced linemen clear $120,000+ a year. Top earners and foremen go higher.
Do you need a degree to become a lineman?
No. You need a high school diploma, a 3–4 year paid apprenticeship, and a CDL — no college degree, which is why it’s one of the best-paid debt-free career paths.
Want the bigger picture? See our full breakdown of the average salary in the USA, or check official figures at the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Related US trades: compare what an electrician, an HVAC technician, and a welder earns by state.