Telephone Lineman Salary in the United States

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

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Telephone Lineman in the United States is $87,968 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): $103,304
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $76,168 to $95,996
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $65,426
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View as table View as graph 25% $76,168 10% $65,426 90% $103,304 75% $95,996 $87,968 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Telephone Lineman Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $95,996 $8,000 $1,846 $46
Average $87,968 $7,331 $1,692 $42
25th Percentile $76,168 $6,347 $1,465 $37
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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 your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Telephone Lineman Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Telephone 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $86,821
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $87,640
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $90,994
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $94,177
  • Expert (over 8 years): $94,404
Levels Salary
Entry Level Telephone Lineman$86,821
Intermediate Level Telephone Lineman$87,640
Senior Level Telephone Lineman$90,994
Specialist Level Telephone Lineman$94,177
Expert Level Telephone Lineman$94,404
$86,821 0 yr
$87,640 < 2 yrs
$90,994 2-4 yrs
$94,177 5-8 yrs
$94,404 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

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: $110,954
  • San Francisco: $109,863
  • Oakland: $107,426

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.
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 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
$99,404
13%
Innovation
$93,246
6%
Commitment
$93,246
6%
Dedication
$92,366
5%
Analysis
$92,366
5%
Quality Control
$90,607
3%
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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%
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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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Telephone Lineman

Salaries for a Telephone Lineman can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $73,601 in 2023 to around $72,911 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Telephone Lineman salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Telephone Lineman Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$73,601
2024
$73,505
2025
$72,911
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $73,601
2024 $73,505
2025 $72,911
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Telephone Lineman

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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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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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Telephone Lineman job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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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.)

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