Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

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

Median Annual Wage: $65,930

Projected Growth: Average (8% to 14%)

Related Job Titles: Lineman; Journeyman Lineman; Electrical Lineworker; Lineworker; Power Lineman; A Class Lineman; Apprentice Lineman Third Step; Class A Lineman; Electric Lineman; Electrical Lineman (Power)

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Source: O*NET OnLine information for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers.

More Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Careers

  • Test conductors, according to electrical diagrams and specifications, to identify corresponding conductors and to prevent incorrect connections.
  • Open switches or attach grounding devices to remove electrical hazards from disturbed or fallen lines or to facilitate repairs.
  • Climb poles or use truck-mounted buckets to access equipment.
  • 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.
  • Install, maintain, and repair electrical distribution and transmission systems, including conduits, cables, wires, and related equipment, such as transformers, circuit breakers, and switches.
  • Dig holes, using augers, and set poles, using cranes and power equipment.
  • Place insulating or fireproofing materials over conductors and joints.
  • Install watt-hour meters and connect service drops between power lines and consumers' facilities.
  • Travel in trucks, helicopters, and airplanes to inspect lines for freedom from obstruction and adequacy of insulation.
  • Splice or solder cables together or to overhead transmission lines, customer service lines, or street light lines, using hand tools, epoxies, or specialized equipment.
  • String wire conductors and cables between poles, towers, trenches, pylons, and buildings, setting lines in place and using winches to adjust tension.
  • Inspect and test power lines and auxiliary equipment to locate and identify problems, using reading and testing instruments.
  • Attach cross-arms, insulators, and auxiliary equipment to poles prior to installing them.
  • Coordinate work assignment preparation and completion with other workers.
  • Replace or straighten damaged poles.
  • Trim trees that could be hazardous to the functioning of cables or wires.
  • Lay underground cable directly in trenches, or string it through conduit running through the trenches.
  • Clean, tin, and splice corresponding conductors by twisting ends together or by joining ends with metal clamps and soldering connections.
  • Pull up cable by hand from large reels mounted on trucks.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers.

  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  • 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.
  • Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers.

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