Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers fall under the Installation, Maintenance, and Repair category in the U.S. occupational classification. Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers earn a median salary of $95,320 per year, ranking in the top 20% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +10.3% job growth through 2035, projected to grow faster than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do electrical power-line installers and repairers earn?

The median annual wage for electrical power-line installers and repairers is $95,320. That puts electrical power-line installers and repairers at #163 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is electrical power-line installers and repairers a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for electrical power-line installers and repairers is +10.3%, projected to grow faster than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 131K positions in 2024 to 145K in 2034, a net change of 14K. Faster-than-average growth means hiring is consistently outpacing the labor market overall. New entrants generally find their first roles faster than peers in stable fields.

What do electrical power-line installers and repairers do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working electrical power-line installers and repairers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Coordinate work assignment preparation and completion with other workers.
2. 2.Drive vehicles equipped with tools and materials to job sites.
3. 3.Replace or straighten damaged poles.
4. 4.Adhere to safety practices and procedures, such as checking equipment regularly and erecting barriers around work areas.
5. 5.Climb poles or use truck-mounted buckets to access equipment.
6. 6.Inspect and test power lines and auxiliary equipment to locate and identify problems, using reading and testing instruments.
7. 7.Open switches or attach grounding devices to remove electrical hazards from disturbed or fallen lines or to facilitate repairs.
8. 8.Install, maintain, and repair electrical distribution and transmission systems, including conduits, cables, wires, and related equipment, such as transformers, circuit breakers, and switches.

Top skills for electrical power-line installers and repairers

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become electrical power-line installers and repairer?

Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers typically enter the field through a formal apprenticeship, technical certification, or vocational training program — a strong fit for teens who prefer hands-on learning over traditional college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Signal and Track Switch Repairers
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• Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment
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• Avionics Technicians
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• Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
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• First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
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• Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door
  $74,340 median

Common questions parents ask about electrical power-line installers and repairers