How to Become a Lineman: Steps to Start Your Power-Line Career

Linemen keep power moving. They roll out after storms to restore service and build new lines as the grid grows. Pay is solid, too. The median wage was $92,560 per year in May 2024.

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Our post, How Much Do Linemen Make in 2025?, breaks down earnings by state and tips.

The need for linemen will likely stay high as utilities upgrade aging infrastructure and expand transmission and distribution networks. This guide covers the full path to becoming a lineman; from eligibility and pre-apprenticeship to apprenticeship stages, earning a journeyman card, and continuing education

1) Meet the Basic Eligibility Benchmarks:

• Minimum Age: You must be 18 to apply. Many JATCs (Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee) list 18+ right on their checklist.
• Education: Start with a high-school diploma or GED. Most programs also expect at least one year of algebra, with a "C" or better. 
• Driver Credentials: Valid driver’s license. A CDL (e.g., Class A) is strongly favored and sometimes required.
• Physical/Drug-Free: Must climb, lift 50+ lbs., and pass a DOT physical and drug screen.

Many states and union JATCs publish nearly identical checklists.

2) Pre-Apprenticeship School & Entrance Testing:

Line-School vs. Direct Entry:

You can start with a short line-school or go straight into a pre-apprentice role. Schools focus on climbing, rigging, and safety. Examples: 10-week programs at Global Powerline and CFCC, and 10–16 weeks at American Lineman College.

Typical Tuition & Funding:

Across 160+ programs, the median cost for lineman school is about $8,400. Some schools exceed $20,000. Many students use the GI Bill or WIOA, and some utilities or schools offer aid. Check each program's funding page before enrolling.

Entrance Tests & Hiring List:

Expect an aptitude test. JATCs might use the NJATC Aptitude (algebra and reading). Many utilities use the EEI CAST. You may also face a pole-top rescue and a physical screen. After testing and the interview, you’re usually placed on a ranked hiring list.

3) Secure an "Earn-While-You-Learn" Apprenticeship:

Length & Structure:

Most IBEW/NECA lineman apprenticeships run 3–4 years with about 7,000 OJT hours across seven steps.

Step Raises:

You advance roughly every six months (twice a year). Every step entails an increase linked with the journeyman level, and the highest steps are near the full scale. 

Classroom Blocks:

Includes standard classroom and online training in transformer theory, circuits, rigging math, and safety. NEAT also runs practical classes every 4–6 weeks.

Competitive Edge:

Having a CDL, current CPR/First Aid, and pole-climbing certification. They can boost your ranking and placement. They also show you're ready for day one and serious about becoming a lineman.

Union vs. Contractor Programs:

Union JATC programs offer rotations and pooled benefits like LINECO. Contractor programs vary, and travel or relocation may be part of the work.

4) Progress through Apprenticeship Levels:

• Step 1–2: You start on the ground. You run the hand-line, spot, and check gear. In the interim, you climb and work under a journeyman's supervision. 
• Step 3–5: You add hot-stick basics and bucket operation. You help install and string conductors, still under supervision. Safety habits get reinforced every day. 
• Step 6–7: You take on more energized tasks with insulated tools. You troubleshoot outages and start leading small tasks on crews. Caution around high voltage is constant. 

Milestone Tests: Expect regular written and supervised practical tests. Pole work is practiced in de-energized yards and classrooms before field use. Testing helps lock in safe methods.

5) Earn the Journeyman Lineman Card:

Finish your apprenticeship, and you'll receive a U.S. Department of Labor Certificate of Completion and, in union programs, a Journeyman Lineman card. They verify that you met the required OJT hours and training. The DOL credential is portable nationwide, so employers can confirm your status anywhere. The card also puts you on the journeyman pay scale and qualifies you for foreman-track roles. That's the final milestone in how to become a lineman.

6) Maintain & Upgrade Credentials:

Keep credentials current. Some states require continuing education (e.g., Texas: 4 hours, Oregon: 24 hours every three years). Skills upgrades may include fiber-optic splicing, helicopter live-line methods, and OSHA 30.

7) Gear Up: Tools of the Trade:

See our Lineman Tools collection for Knives, Hammers, hot-stick attachments, wrenches, storage bags, and more.