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Groundman vs class a lineman

The differences between groundmen and class a linemen can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a class a lineman has an average salary of $72,423, which is higher than the $64,471 average annual salary of a groundman.

The top three skills for a groundman include hand tools, safety rules and physical labor. The most important skills for a class a lineman are CDL, physical labor, and bucket truck.

Groundman vs class a lineman overview

GroundmanClass A Lineman
Yearly salary$64,471$72,423
Hourly rate$31.00$34.82
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs4,221130,655
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 55%High School Diploma, 42%
Average age3939
Years of experience--

What does a groundman do?

A ground man is primarily responsible for performing support tasks for power line construction, repair, or maintenance. Their responsibilities include preparing sites by digging holes, setting up poles, and even notifying clients for any power or service interruption. They also assist linemen or technicians by clearing any obstructions, providing guidelines, handing any needed tools or objects, and even operating different devices and machines. Furthermore, a groundsman is also responsible for clearing out sites after operations, ensuring the public's safety and the area's cleanliness.

What does a class a lineman do?

Class A linemen install insulators, switchgear, and transformers in poles, business, and residential infrastructures. They are responsible for the maintenance, construction, and repair of the electrical overhead distribution system. These linemen work on high voltage systems that require them to wear their gears to protect themselves and others. Being physically fit and healthy in this job is advantageous since it can be physically rigorous at times. They should know how the electrical wires are positioned by reading the blueprints.

Groundman vs class a lineman salary

Groundmen and class a linemen have different pay scales, as shown below.

GroundmanClass A Lineman
Average salary$64,471$72,423
Salary rangeBetween $45,000 And $91,000Between $51,000 And $101,000
Highest paying CityBeaverton, OR-
Highest paying stateAlaska-
Best paying companyMDU Resources-
Best paying industryEnergy-

Differences between groundman and class a lineman education

There are a few differences between a groundman and a class a lineman in terms of educational background:

GroundmanClass A Lineman
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 55%High School Diploma, 42%
Most common majorElectrical Engineering TechnologyElectrical Engineering Technology
Most common college--

Groundman vs class a lineman demographics

Here are the differences between groundmen' and class a linemen' demographics:

GroundmanClass A Lineman
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 95.5% Female, 4.5%Male, 96.8% Female, 3.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.9% Unknown, 3.0% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 1.2% White, 74.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%Black or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 3.0% Hispanic or Latino, 13.5% Asian, 1.2% White, 75.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between groundman and class a lineman duties and responsibilities

Groundman example responsibilities.

  • Operate chain saws, pruners, brush chippers, and climb trees using climbing equipment.
  • Work on grind grid, install pedestals, switches, breakers, bus, center tech.
  • Gain experience with fiber optics, team building, OSHA safety standards, cable and internet systems
  • Cut down trees using appropriate notches, hinges, and wedges.
  • Work with ropes and pulleys.
  • Learned about OSHA laws and work safety.
  • Show more

Class a lineman example responsibilities.

  • Test, repair and improve wire connections to the transmission, distribution lines, sub-stations and switches.
  • Operate equipment such as; chain saws, line trucks, aerial lift trucks, trench diggers, and backhoes.
  • Adhere to OSHA, FRA and EPA regulations.
  • Support a 470.4 MW wind project and install 42 miles of 345 kV transmission line in just 13 weeks.
  • Utilize all proper PPE when performing work.
  • Install and remove PPE, cover up, and mechanical jumpers.
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Groundman vs class a lineman skills

Common groundman skills
  • Hand Tools, 17%
  • Safety Rules, 13%
  • Physical Labor, 11%
  • CDL, 9%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Distribution Systems, 8%
Common class a lineman skills
  • CDL, 26%
  • Physical Labor, 9%
  • Bucket Truck, 8%
  • PPE, 7%
  • Digger Derrick, 5%
  • Switches, 5%

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