by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Lineworker covers Lineworker. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Technical Knowledge And Skills To Install, Operate, Maintain And Repair Local, Long-Distance, And Rural Electric Power Cables And Communication Lines; Erect And Construct Pole And Tower Lines; And Install Underground Lines And Cables. Includes Instruction In Cable Installation And Repair, Fibre-Optic Technology, Trenching, Mobile Equipment And Crane Operation, High-Voltage Installations, Maintenance And Inspection, Safety, Remote Communications, And Applicable Codes And Standards. Examples: [Power Line Electrician], [Power Lineman], [Powerline Technician], [Powerline Technician (Operating)]. Read on to learn the important information every lineworker student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering lineworker programs.
Across the country, lineworker draws strong interest, with 2,731 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Lineworker Schools ranking analyzes these 74 schools to determine the best overall colleges for lineworker students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of lineworker programs later in this article.
Programs in Lineworker develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations lineworker graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a lineworker program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a lineworker major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several lineworker degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1,514 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 441 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 743 |
People currently working in careers related to lineworker tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 51.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 17.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 14.3% |
| Some college courses | 11.7% |
| First professional degree | 2.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 1.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 0.5% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in lineworker careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in lineworker can lead to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to lineworker.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to lineworker.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | 308,314 | -3.3% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers | 110,130 | 1.2% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of lineworker graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $39,714 |
| 4 years | $47,108 |
| 5 years | $52,808 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for lineworker graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers lineworker grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers | $85,639 |
| Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | $59,882 |
With 74 different lineworker programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased lineworker school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in lineworker, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Electrician | 30,349 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installation/Installer, General | 2,334 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers, Other | 163 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
