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Hourly Wage for Lineman Salary in the United States

How much does a Lineman make hourly?

As of April 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Lineman in the United States is $42, which translates to an annual salary of about $88,011.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $49 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $37 to $46 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $32 per hour
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View as table View as graph 25% $37 10% $32 90% $49 75% $46 $42 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Lineman Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $95,178 $7,932 $1,830 $46
Average $88,011 $7,334 $1,693 $42
25th Percentile $77,159 $6,430 $1,484 $37
Check out Lineman Job Openings in the United States
Lineman

Pennline - Cincinnati, OH

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Fishel Co - Cincinnati, OH

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Ervin Cable Construction LLC - Dayton, OH

Lineman Telecom

Ervin Cable Construction LLC - Mount Vernon, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Lineman Salaries

A Lineman's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Lineman Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Lineman's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Lineman Apprentice (0-1 years): $63,004
  • Lineman (1-3 years): $88,011
  • Lineman, Senior (3-5 years): $107,653
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Lineman Apprentice0-1 years$63,004
Lineman1-3 years$88,011
Lineman, Senior3-5 years$107,653
$63,004 Lineman A...
$88,011 Lineman
$107,653 Lineman, ...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Linemans

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $111,008
  • San Francisco: $109,917
  • Oakland: $107,479

What Skills Can Increase a Lineman's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Attention to Detail (Mentioned in 4.01% Job Postings): Executing and completing a task with a high level of accuracy.
  • Housekeeping (Mentioned in 4.01% Job Postings): Housekeeping department is keeping the venue clean and sanitary as part of customer service. Cleaners vacuum rugs and furniture in hallways, rooms and public areas. They collect trash and empty wastebaskets, change the sheets and make the beds.
  • Foodservice (Mentioned in 2.88% Job Postings): The foodservice or catering industry includes the businesses, institutions, and companies which prepare meals outside the home. It includes restaurants, school and hospital cafeterias, catering operations, and many other formats.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Attention to Detail 4.01%
Housekeeping 4.01%
Foodservice 2.88%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Lineman's salary.
  • Directs Work: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Directs Work
$99,452
13%
Innovation
$93,292
6%
Commitment
$93,292
6%
Dedication
$92,412
5%
Analysis
$92,412
5%
Quality Control
$90,651
3%
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How Education impacts a Lineman's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Linemans enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Lineman with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $91,592 and $95,035).

Lineman Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Lineman
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 66.7%
High School 66.7%
Associates 33.3%
Bachelors 0.0%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Lineman Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Lineman's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on April 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Lineman

Salaries for a Lineman can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $71,596 in 2023 to around $70,925 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Lineman salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Lineman Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$71,596
2024
$71,503
2025
$70,925
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $71,596
2024 $71,503
2025 $70,925
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Lineman

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Lineman

Here are companies hiring for Lineman and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Lineman

1. What are the responsibilities of Lineman?

Constructs, maintains, and repairs overhead and underground transmission lines. Performs site preparation tasks, including digging holes or trenches, installing anchors, climbing poles, and using equipment like digger derricks, aerial lifts, pulling and tensioning equipment, forklifts, and dump trucks. Installs wire and cable. Follows all safety regulations and procedures. Work is performed outdoors in all weather conditions. Typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Requires a valid Driver's License. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under moderate supervision. Gaining or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. Typically requires 1-3 years of related experience.

2. What are the skills of Lineman

Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.

1.)

Attention to Detail: Executing and completing a task with a high level of accuracy.

2.)

Housekeeping: Housekeeping department is keeping the venue clean and sanitary as part of customer service. Cleaners vacuum rugs and furniture in hallways, rooms and public areas. They collect trash and empty wastebaskets, change the sheets and make the beds.

3.)

Foodservice: The foodservice or catering industry includes the businesses, institutions, and companies which prepare meals outside the home. It includes restaurants, school and hospital cafeterias, catering operations, and many other formats.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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