How to hire a groundman

How to hire a groundman, step by step

Here's a step-by-step groundman hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a groundman job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new groundman
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a groundman do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the groundman you need to hire. Certain groundman roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A groundman's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, groundmen from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of groundmen and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Groundman	Description	Hourly rate
   Groundman	Line installers and repairers, also known as line workers, install or repair electrical power systems and telecommunications cables, including fiber optics.	$21-43
   Lineman Apprentice	A lineman apprentice is responsible for assisting linemen in the installation and maintenance of electrical power systems. You will often report to the journeyman lineman or a technician... Show more	$16-32
   Class A Lineman	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... Show more	$24-48

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Hand Tools
   • Safety Rules
   • Physical Labor
   • CDL
   • Customer Service
   • Distribution Systems
   • Switches
   • Line Clearance
   • Voltage Systems
   • Transmission Lines
   • Distribution Lines
   • DOT
   • Safety Procedures
   • Asphalt

   Check all skills

   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.

   More groundman duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your groundman job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A groundman salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, groundmen' average salary in florida is 42% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level groundmen earn 51% less than senior-level groundmen.
   • Certifications. A groundman with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a groundman's salary.

   Average groundman salary

   $64,471yearly

   $31.00 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level groundman salary

   $45,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

   Average groundman salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Oregon	$81,870	$39
   2	West Virginia	$77,542	$37
   3	Kentucky	$76,191	$37
   4	Arkansas	$65,646	$32
   5	Tennessee	$63,024	$30
   6	Virginia	$62,561	$30
   7	Alabama	$60,628	$29
   8	South Carolina	$59,162	$28
   9	Oklahoma	$58,674	$28
   10	Georgia	$57,582	$28
   11	Florida	$57,339	$28
   12	Texas	$56,516	$27
   13	North Carolina	$56,340	$27

   Average groundman salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	MDU Resources	$113,483	$54.56
   2	Pacifi	$96,431	$46.36	11
   3	Xcel Energy	$83,001	$39.90	10
   4	Mears Transportation Group	$69,215	$33.28
   5	Newwave Technologies Inc.	$68,162	$32.77
   6	Florida East Coast Railway	$63,592	$30.57
   7	NorthWestern Energy	$63,537	$30.55
   8	Cagwin & Dorward	$62,853	$30.22
   9	Lea County Electric	$62,433	$30.02
   10	Broadband Access Services	$60,205	$28.94
   11	QualTek	$60,142	$28.91
   12	The Davey Tree Expert Company	$60,036	$28.86	78
   13	Penn Line	$59,954	$28.82	8
   14	Pike	$59,670	$28.69	172
   15	Clyde Companies	$59,606	$28.66
   16	Chain Electric	$58,263	$28.01	14
   17	C.W. Wright Construction	$57,970	$27.87	9
   18	Colas USA	$57,345	$27.57
   19	Sumter Utilities	$56,687	$27.25	6
   20	Dixie Oil Co Of Alabama	$56,291	$27.06

4. Writing a groundman job description

   A groundman job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a groundman job description:

   Groundman job description example

   Helper position, works under close supervision performing routine tasks on the ground to aid lineworker in the construction, maintenance and repair of distribution lines and equipment.
   * Assists line workers by providing tools and materials.
   * Loads and unloads materials.
   * Assists with various semi-skilled and unskilled work as required.
   * May assist in general maintenance work and operate trucks and other light equipment when assigned.
   * Wash and clean trucks and equipment.
   * Maintain parts and material inventory on all trucks and equipment.
   * Performs other tasks as assigned.
   * Stand-by required in rotation with other lineman
   
   Minimum Qualifications:
   
   * High School Diploma or GED
   * Knowledge of common tools, materials, and methods in construction and maintenance work required.
   * Ability to carry out oral and written instructions is required.
   * Ability to deal effectively with supervisors and fellow employees required.
   * Must possess a State of Texas Class “A” CDL Commercial Driver's License and a safe driving record;
   
   Physical Requirements:
   
   Must be able to bend, climb, and squat without restrictions to perform duties. Must be able to lift, push, pull, and carry objects weighing up to 100 pounds. Must have dexterity with fingers and hands to operate hand tools and small equipment. Must maintain physical condition necessary for walking and standing for prolonged periods of time. Hearing and vision must be satisfactory to the degree that duties may be performed effectively and safely. Must be able to work on poles and in confined areas among high voltage energized lines and perform strenuous work under emergency and all weather conditions.
   
   Work Environment:
   
   This position primarily involves working in a field environment. Will be working around heavy construction equipment. May be exposed to odors and fumes while working with chemicals. May be exposed to adverse/inclement weather conditions while working outside. May work variable hours and or weekends.
   
   Must be able to work in the area of power poles and in confined areas among high voltage energized lines and perform strenuous work under emergency and all weather conditions. Must be able to work safely in road traffic, public and private property, and maintain public safety.
   
   NOTE: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills and physical demands required.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right groundman for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with groundmen they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit groundmen who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your groundman job on Zippia to find and recruit groundman candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit groundmen, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new groundman

   Once you've selected the best groundman candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new groundman first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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