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Telephone Lineman Salary in the United States

How much does a Telephone Lineman make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Telephone Lineman in the United States is $88,067 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.

However, a Telephone Lineman's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $103,098
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $76,026 to $95,935
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $65,064
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Telephone Lineman Salaries

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

How Do Telephone Lineman Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Telephone Linemans. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $97,507.
  • California: $97,137.
  • Massachusetts: $95,843.

Top Paying Cities for Telephone 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: $111,078
  • San Francisco: $109,862
  • Oakland: $107,547

What Skills Can Increase a Telephone 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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Attention to Detail 4.01%
Housekeeping 4.01%
Foodservice 2.88%
See More Skills

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 Telephone 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 $99,515
13%
Innovation $93,351
6%
Commitment $93,351
6%
Get Latest Data

Telephone Lineman Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Telephone Lineman roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Telephone Lineman positions in Telecom or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Telephone Lineman as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Telephone Lineman

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$114,487$55.030%
Business Services$105,680$51.020%

How Education impacts a Telephone Lineman's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Telephone 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 Telephone Lineman with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $91,592 and $95,035).

Telephone Lineman Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Telephone 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%
View as Graph

Telephone Lineman Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Telephone 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 October 01, 2026
$76,026
Average $88,067/year
$95,935
$6,336
Average $7,339/month
$7,995
$1,462
Average $1,694/week
$1,845
$37
Average $42/hour
$46
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $95,935 $7,995 $1,845 $46
Average $88,067 $7,339 $1,694 $42
25th Percentile $76,026 $6,336 $1,462 $37

Most common benefits for Telephone Lineman

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Telephone Lineman

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

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FAQ about Telephone Lineman

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Telephone Lineman?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Telephone Lineman roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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