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Electrical Power-Line Installer or Repairer

What Does it Take to Be an Electrical Power-Line Installer or Repairer?

Position Description Install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems. May erect poles and light or heavy duty transmission towers.

Daily Life Of an Electrical Power-Line Installer or Repairer

  • Open switches or attach grounding devices to remove electrical hazards from disturbed or fallen lines or to facilitate repairs.
  • Drive vehicles equipped with tools and materials to job sites.
  • Identify defective sectionalizing devices, circuit breakers, fuses, voltage regulators, transformers, switches, relays, or wiring, using wiring diagrams and electrical-testing instruments.
  • Clean, tin, and splice corresponding conductors by twisting ends together or by joining ends with metal clamps and soldering connections.
  • Coordinate work assignment preparation and completion with other workers.
  • Pull up cable by hand from large reels mounted on trucks.

What Skills Do You Need to Work as an Electrical Power-Line Installer or Repairer?

When polled, Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

  • Wire Chief
  • Utility Locate Technician
  • Line Crewman
  • Power Lineworker
  • Emergency Service Restorer

Electrical Power-Line Installer or Repairer Employment Estimates

There were about 120,900 jobs for Electrical Power-Line Installer or Repairer in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 13.9% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 16,800 new jobs for Electrical Power-Line Installer or Repairer by 2026. The BLS estimates 11,700 yearly job openings in this field.

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The states with the most job growth for Electrical Power-Line Installer or Repairer are Nevada, South Carolina, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Montana, or Ohio. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Electrical Power-Line Installer or Repairer Average Salary

The salary for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers ranges between about $38,200 and $101,560 a year.

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Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers who work in California, Oregon, or North Dakota, make the highest salaries.

How much do Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $65,120
Alaska $88,050
Arizona $81,950
Arkansas $66,550
California $92,910
Colorado $78,260
Connecticut $78,770
Delaware $78,160
Florida $54,050
Georgia $56,330
Hawaii $87,940
Idaho $84,280
Illinois $78,390
Indiana $64,630
Iowa $69,540
Kansas $73,590
Kentucky $62,900
Louisiana $58,250
Maine $55,980
Maryland $67,870
Massachusetts $88,280
Michigan $74,900
Minnesota $77,070
Mississippi $60,060
Missouri $69,400
Montana $86,500
Nebraska $68,100
Nevada $72,620
New Hampshire $74,090
New Jersey $85,460
New Mexico $64,500
New York $77,340
North Carolina $59,740
North Dakota $88,370
Ohio $68,280
Oklahoma $56,360
Oregon $93,900
Pennsylvania $82,340
Rhode Island $83,260
South Carolina $58,980
South Dakota $76,880
Tennessee $66,690
Texas $58,320
Utah $73,720
Vermont $80,300
Virginia $63,600
Washington $86,100
West Virginia $63,920
Wisconsin $78,200
Wyoming $78,510

Tools & Technologies Used by Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Data entry software
  • Email software
  • Word processing software
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Computer aided design and drafting CADD software
  • Inventory management software

Becoming an Electrical Power-Line Installer or Repairer

Are there Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers education requirements?

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How Long Does it Take to Become an Electrical Power-Line Installer or Repairer?

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Where do Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers Work?

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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You May Also Be Interested In…

Career changers with experience as an Electrical Power-Line Installer or Repairer sometimes find work in one of the following fields:

References:

Image Credit: Fran Hogan via Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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