Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

SOC: 49-9051 O*NET: 49-9051.00
Median Salary
$92,560
per year
Job Growth
📈 6.6%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
10.7
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2

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

What does a Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers do?

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

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$50,020
10th percentile
Early Career
$65,740
25th percentile
Median
$92,560
50th percentile
Experienced
$107,940
75th percentile
Top Earners
$126,610
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$50,020
25th
$65,740
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$92,560
Mean: $90,110
75th
$107,940
90th
$126,610
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • Salary range spans $76,590 from entry level to top earners
  • Middle 50% earn between $65,740 and $107,940
  • Salary spread is 45.6% around the median, showing high variation
  • Total national employment: 123,680 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:127,400

Top Industries

Utilities49%
Utilities49%
Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution46.7%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:+6.6%
Annual Openings:10,700

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)127,400
Current
2034 (Projected)135,800
+6.6%
+8,400
Employment Change
+6.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: As fast as average

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
14,130 jobs$77,5601.27x
California
11,070 jobs$122,5200.76x
Florida
7,390 jobs$92,4600.94x
New York
5,270 jobs$117,5000.69x
North Carolina
4,930 jobs$75,6301.25x
Ohio
4,740 jobs$84,4701.07x
Georgia
4,040 jobs$78,8801.04x
Tennessee
4,020 jobs$80,1601.53x
Pennsylvania
3,910 jobs$103,7500.81x
Illinois
3,670 jobs$105,9700.75x
Missouri
3,590 jobs$93,5801.53x
Michigan
3,580 jobs$103,3101.02x
Alabama
3,120 jobs$84,3401.86x
Virginia
2,830 jobs$77,1900.87x
Kentucky
2,640 jobs$76,0501.65x

Understanding the Data

Location Quotient (LQ):

  • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
  • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
  • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average

Data Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024

Key Growth Factors

  • Average growth expected

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Troubleshooting
94%
#3
Monitoring
86%
#4
Operations Monitoring
80%
#5
Operation and Control
74%
#6
Complex Problem Solving
66%
#7
Judgment and Decision Making
60%
#8
Quality Control Analysis
54%
#9
Coordination
46%
#10
Repairing
40%

Skills Overview

Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Troubleshooting
advanced4.7
94%
Monitoring
intermediate4.3
86%
Operations Monitoring
intermediate4.0
80%
Operation and Control
intermediate3.7
74%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.3
66%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.0
60%
Quality Control Analysis
basic2.7
54%

Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.

Filter:
Sort by:

Active Listening

advanced
Importance100%
skills
5.0/5.0

Troubleshooting

advanced
Importance94%
skills
4.7/5.0

Monitoring

intermediate
Importance86%
skills
4.3/5.0

Operations Monitoring

intermediate
Importance80%
skills
4.0/5.0

Operation and Control

intermediate
Importance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0

Complex Problem Solving

advanced
Importance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0

Judgment and Decision Making

intermediate
Importance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0

Quality Control Analysis

basic
Importance54%
skills
2.7/5.0

Coordination

basic
Importance46%
skills
2.3/5.0

Repairing

basic
Importance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0

Highly Transferable Skills

These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic82%
5 shared skills
Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders67%
5 shared skills
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics67%
5 shared skills
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators67%
5 shared skills
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders67%
5 shared skills
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas67%
5 shared skills

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Must Have:
  • Active Listening
  • Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
  • Quality Control Analysis
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Judgment and Decision Making

Mid Career

Expected:
  • Troubleshooting
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Active Listening
  • Monitoring

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • Troubleshooting
  • Active Listening
  • Operation and Control

Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
  • Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
  • Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
  • Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time

What technology will you use?

Technology & Digital Skills

Essential technology proficiencies for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

Technology Intensity
High

Digital Literacy Requirements

This career requires advanced digital literacy

1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert

Key Digital Competencies:

Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥

Hot Technologies in Demand

These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

Bentley MicroStation

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Outlook

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Office software

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Excel

🔥 Hot Tech

Zoom

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Word

🔥 Hot Tech

Technology Stack

Technology Stack Overview

Key technologies used in this career

Bentley MicroStation
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Zoom
Microsoft Word

📚 Technology Learning Resources

Recommended Certifications

  • Vendor-specific software certifications
  • Industry-recognized technology credentials
  • Professional development courses

Online Learning Platforms

  • LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
  • Coursera - University-level programs
  • Udemy - Practical skills training

💡 Technology Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
  • Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
  • Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
  • Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

What's the work environment like?

🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT

💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?

Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

  • Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
  • Can you meet high physical demands?
  • Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
  • Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

What are the key tasks?

Tasks & Responsibilities

21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (18)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Communication & Coordination (1)Planning & Development (1)
1

Adhere to safety practices and procedures, such as checking equipment regularly and erecting barriers around work areas.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
100%
General Responsibilities100% perform
2

Open switches or attach grounding devices to remove electrical hazards from disturbed or fallen lines or to facilitate repairs.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
General Responsibilities97% perform
3

Climb poles or use truck-mounted buckets to access equipment.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
96%
General Responsibilities94% perform
4

Place insulating or fireproofing materials over conductors and joints.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
General Responsibilities91% perform
5

Install, maintain, and repair electrical distribution and transmission systems, including conduits, cables, wires, and related equipment, such as transformers, circuit breakers, and switches.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform
6

Identify defective sectionalizing devices, circuit breakers, fuses, voltage regulators, transformers, switches, relays, or wiring, using wiring diagrams and electrical-testing instruments.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
90%
General Responsibilities85% perform
7

Drive vehicles equipped with tools and materials to job sites.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
88%
General Responsibilities82% perform
8

Coordinate work assignment preparation and completion with other workers.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
86%
Communication & Coordination79% perform
9

Inspect and test power lines and auxiliary equipment to locate and identify problems, using reading and testing instruments.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
84%
General Responsibilities76% perform
10

String wire conductors and cables between poles, towers, trenches, pylons, and buildings, setting lines in place and using winches to adjust tension.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
82%
General Responsibilities73% perform

💡 Key Takeaways

  • Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
  • 33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
  • Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities

What career paths are available?

Career Pathways

0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase

Advancement Opportunities

Typical career progression paths from Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

💡 Career Planning Tips

  • Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
  • Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
  • Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
  • Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves

Is this career right for you?

Personality & Values Fit

Is This Career Right for You?

Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support

RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative

Important Personality Traits

Work styles that contribute to success as a Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

Attention to Detail

Very Important

Attention to Detail

Importance Level4.48

Integrity

Very Important

Integrity

Importance Level4.27

Dependability

Very Important

Dependability

Importance Level4.25

Self-Control

Very Important

Self-Control

Importance Level4.24

Cooperation

Very Important

Cooperation

Importance Level4.19

Persistence

Very Important

Persistence

Importance Level4.13

Complete Work Styles Profile

Attention to Detail
4.5
Integrity
4.3
Dependability
4.3
Self-Control
4.2
Cooperation
4.2
Persistence
4.1
Stress Tolerance
4.1
Initiative
4.0
Achievement/Effort
4.0
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.9

💡 Tips for Career Fit Success

  • While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
  • Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
  • Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
  • Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career

What education is required?

Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED

Preparation Level

Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed

Experience Needed

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful

📚 Education Requirement

Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent

These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.

Training:

Training of a few months to a year

💼 Experience Requirement

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful

Common pathways to gain experience:

  • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
  • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
  • Industry certifications helpful
2

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful

Ready to Start Your Journey?

Explore educational programs that can help you become a Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers.

Browse Training Programs →