How Much Does a Journeyman Lineman Make? (2025)
A journeyman lineman is responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing the power lines and equipment that carry electricity from power plants to homes and businesses. This job title requires specialized tools, climbing poles or towers, and handling high-voltage systems with extreme caution.
According to Salary.com, a journeyman lineman earns a national average of $87,990 per year or $42 per hour in the United States.
Use this salary guide to learn more about journeyman lineman salary expectations, the highest-paying cities, and common questions about the role.
What is the Journeyman Lineman's Salary?
As of September 2025, the average journeyman lineman salary in the United States is $87,990 per year or $32 per hour. The salary range for journeyman lineman is between $67,548 and $101,745, with most earnings of $77,290 to $95,190 per year.
The median lineman salary reflects a stable and competitive income for skilled line repairers in this field.
2025 Average Salary for Journeyman Lineman: $87,990 per year ($42 per hour)
A journeyman lineman reported an average monthly salary of $7,333, while the average weekly pay is $1,692. Moreover, the average journey lineman salary per hour is $42, according to the recent Salary.com report.
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $32 | $1,299 | $5,629 | $67,548 |
| 25th Percentile | $37 | $1,486 | $6,441 | $77,290 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $42 | $1,692 | $7,333 | $87,990 |
| 75th Percentile | $46 | $1,831 | $7,933 | $95,190 |
| 90th Percentile | $49 | $1,957 | $8,479 | $101,745 |
In addition to base pay, journeyman linemen often receive overtime pay, which significantly boosts their income. The average total compensation, including overtime and benefits like health insurance and retirement plans, reaches $137,655 per year in the U.S., making this a financially rewarding career for those who qualify.
Journeyman Lineman Average Salaries State by State
Journeyman lineman salary differs across U.S. states and territories due to factors such as job demand, geographic location, cost of living, and local wage standards.
The table below shows the states and territories with the highest average pay for journey lineman salary: the District of Columbia ($97,390), California ($96,990), and Massachusetts ($95,690).
On the other hand, the states and territories with the lowest average salaries include Mississippi ($78,390), Arkansas ($79,490), and West Virginia ($79,190).
| State | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $80,790 |
| Alaska | $95,190 |
| Arizona | $85,690 |
| Arkansas | $79,490 |
| California | $96,990 |
| Colorado | $89,690 |
| Connecticut | $93,990 |
| Delaware | $89,090 |
| District of Columbia | $97,390 |
| Florida | $83,190 |
| Georgia | $84,790 |
| Hawaii | $91,890 |
| Idaho | $82,090 |
| Illinois | $89,690 |
| Indiana | $84,390 |
| Iowa | $84,190 |
| Kansas | $83,790 |
| Kentucky | $82,790 |
| Louisiana | $83,590 |
| Maine | $85,790 |
| Maryland | $90,690 |
| Massachusetts | $95,690 |
| Michigan | $86,590 |
| Minnesota | $89,990 |
| Mississippi | $78,390 |
| Missouri | $83,590 |
| Montana | $82,990 |
| Nebraska | $82,890 |
| Nevada | $87,090 |
| New Hampshire | $88,890 |
| New Jersey | $95,290 |
| New Mexico | $81,490 |
| New York | $93,490 |
| North Carolina | $83,590 |
| North Dakota | $86,890 |
| Ohio | $85,590 |
| Oklahoma | $81,290 |
| Oregon | $89,290 |
| Pennsylvania | $87,590 |
| Rhode Island | $91,190 |
| South Carolina | $82,390 |
| South Dakota | $79,890 |
| Tennessee | $82,190 |
| Texas | $85,790 |
| Utah | $84,190 |
| Vermont | $86,290 |
| Virginia | $88,590 |
| Washington | $95,390 |
| West Virginia | $79,190 |
| Wisconsin | $86,490 |
| Wyoming | $84,390 |
What are the Best-Paying Cities for Journeyman Lineman?
Journeyman lineman salary also varies by city, influenced by the cost of living, local demand, and industry rates in urban areas.
For example, cities in California such as San Jose and San Francisco offer higher average salary for journey lineman, at $86,035 and $85,189, respectively.
| City | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $110,890 |
| San Francisco, CA | $109,790 |
| Oakland, CA | $107,390 |
| New York, NY | $101,890 |
| Queens Village, NY | $101,290 |
| Paramus, NJ | $100,590 |
How Does Experience Affect Journeyman Lineman Salaries?
Journeyman lineman salary grows with experience. Salary.com reports that entry-level specialists earn about $84,409 per year, while those with over 8 years of experience average $91,756 per year.
| Level | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Journeyman Lineman | $84,409 |
| Intermediate Level Journeyman Lineman | $85,200 |
| Senior Level Journeyman Lineman | $88,442 |
| Specialist Level Journeyman Lineman | $91,535 |
| Expert Level Journeyman Lineman | $91,756 |
How to Increase Salary as a Journeyman Lineman?
If you're working as a journeyman lineman and looking to boost your income, there are several strategic ways to advance in your career and increase your earning potential.
Journeyman Lineman Advancements
- Build a strong portfolio: While linemen don't create traditional portfolios, a reputation for safety, reliability, and technical expertise is critical. Completing high-risk jobs successfully and earning strong references from your employer or company can open doors to better-paying opportunities.
- Promotion: Advancement in the lineman trade often comes through leadership roles such as Crew Foreman, Line Supervisor, Safety Coordinator, or Project Manager. These positions offer greater responsibility, better benefits, and higher pay. Demonstrating leadership potential, mentoring apprentices, and consistently performing well on the job can position you for these promotions.
- Upskilling and education: Boosting your qualifications can increase your earning potential as a lineman. Advanced skills in live-line work, underground splicing, substation maintenance, smart grid tech, and safety (OSHA, CPR) make you more valuable. Leadership or project management training through unions or trade schools also keeps you competitive for top-tier jobs.
Journeyman Lineman Skills
Journey lineman with specialized skills can increase their pay. According to Salary.com's Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report, forklift operation skills can boost salaries by 10.98%, while content electrical systems skills add 8.93%.
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Forklift Operation | 10.70% | 10.98% |
| Electrical Systems | 10.20% | 8.93% |
| Blueprint Reading | 10.20% | 8.86% |
| Cable Installation & Maintenance | 10.40% | 8.46% |
| High Voltage Systems | 10.10% | 8.46% |
| Power Line Construction | 10.30% | 8.46% |
What are the FAQs About Journeyman Lineman Salaries?
Here are some common questions about journeyman lineman salary:
Is journeyman lineman a high paying job?
It depends. The journeyman lineman average salary in the U.S. is $87,990, but it can go up to $101,745 based on experience and skills. Pay also varies by location, industry, and job type. Top earners often work in big cities, for example, San Jose, California, where the average salary is $110,890, in the highest paying industries.
What does the journeyman lineman do?
As noted, a journeyman lineman installs and repairs cables and wires in electrical power and distribution systems. They may also construct poles or transmission towers. Apart from that, here are the key job responsibilities:
- Install, maintain, or repair electrical power lines that carry electricity
- Run cables and wires between poles, towers, and buildings
- Detect faulty devices, voltage regulators, transformers, and switches
- Inspect and test power lines and related equipment
- Climb poles and transmission towers or use truck-mounted buckets to access equipment
- Operate power tools and machinery during installation and repairs of poles, towers, and lines
Is journeyman lineman a good career path?
Yes, becoming a journeyman lineman is a rewarding and stable career path. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for electrical power-line installers and repairers is projected to grow 7% between 2023 and 2033, which is faster than many other occupations.
What skills do you need to be a journeyman lineman?
The skills that you need to be a journeyman lineman include strong electrical knowledge, physical fitness for climbing poles and towers, and a strict focus on safety following OSHA guidelines. You must have technical abilities such as operating machinery and cable splicing, problem-solving skills to diagnose issues, and the ability to read blueprints and communicate clearly with team members for effective and safe work.
Becoming a journeyman lineman offers a stable career with a competitive median salary of $87,990 in 2025. Starting linemen and experienced workers alike can grow their skills, earn overtime, and contribute to the country's critical infrastructure. Signing on with a company means strong job security and a solid paycheck, making it a smart choice for anyone driven to succeed in the electrical trade.
