How to hire a lineman apprentice

How to hire a lineman apprentice, step by step

Here's a step-by-step lineman apprentice hiring guide:

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

What does a lineman apprentice do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a lineman apprentice, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A lineman apprentice's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, lineman apprentices 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.

   Here's a comparison of lineman apprentice salaries for various roles:

   Type of Lineman Apprentice	Description	Hourly rate
   Lineman Apprentice	Line installers and repairers, also known as line workers, install or repair electrical power systems and telecommunications cables, including fiber optics.	$16-32
   Groundman	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... Show more	$21-43
   Power Line Lineman	Power line linemen earn an average of $74K per year. They must have understanding of electrical and power equipment, electrical currents, voltage, and resistance, as well as analytical and problem-solving skills... Show more	$24-46

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CDL
   • Switches
   • OSHA
   • Hand Tools
   • Bucket Truck
   • Safety Practices
   • Direct Supervision
   • Distribution Lines
   • Cranes
   • Climb Poles
   • Work Ethic
   • Transmission Lines
   • PPE
   • Rubber Gloves

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Promote a safe work area in accordance to OSHA standards.
   • Maintain power lines, asset with crews with safety, etc ...
   • Operate trenchers and cable plows to dig trenches for laying underground cables.
   • Build 59 kV transmission power line over 13 miles, connecting two substations.
   • Change out or install poles, cross-arms, insulators, transformers, capacitors, regulators, switches and other distribution apparatus.
   • Participate in the construction or removal of telecommunication towers or associate support structures.

   More lineman apprentice duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your lineman apprentice job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A lineman apprentice salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a lineman apprentice in Louisiana may be lower than in Maryland, and an entry-level lineman apprentice usually earns less than a senior-level lineman apprentice. Additionally, a lineman apprentice with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average lineman apprentice salary

   $48,171yearly

   $23.16 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level lineman apprentice salary

   $34,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

   Average lineman apprentice salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Maryland	$57,291	$28
   2	California	$53,113	$26
   3	Nevada	$52,757	$25
   4	Kentucky	$51,771	$25
   5	New Hampshire	$48,577	$23
   6	Washington	$46,122	$22
   7	Colorado	$45,793	$22
   8	Georgia	$44,386	$21
   9	Florida	$44,280	$21
   10	Alabama	$44,278	$21
   11	Indiana	$43,886	$21
   12	Wisconsin	$42,270	$20
   13	Iowa	$41,582	$20
   14	Texas	$41,242	$20
   15	Oklahoma	$41,181	$20

   Average lineman apprentice salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	OGE Energy	$78,755	$37.86	1
   2	Tri-State G&T	$71,260	$34.26	3
   3	Xcel Energy	$60,810	$29.24	10
   4	Avista	$51,371	$24.70
   5	American Electric Power	$51,059	$24.55	3
   6	Southern	$49,143	$23.63	4
   7	MasTec	$47,307	$22.74	125
   8	Integrated Services	$46,748	$22.48	2
   9	Pike	$45,889	$22.06	169
   10	Centerline Communications	$45,866	$22.05
   11	Gaylor Electric	$45,824	$22.03
   12	MYR Group	$45,172	$21.72
   13	United Coop Hampton	$44,861	$21.57
   14	City of Lebanon, Ohio	$34,426	$16.55

4. Writing a lineman apprentice job description

   A good lineman apprentice job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a lineman apprentice job description:

   Lineman apprentice job description example

   MasTec, Inc. is a leading national infrastructure construction company. Utility Services Group (USG) is part of the Power Delivery Segment and focuses on the electrical distribution, substation, water, transmission, and natural gas distribution infrastructures.
   Responsibilities
   
   Job Summary
   
   The Apprentice Lineman C assists the Journeyman Lineman and the Foreman while in training and learning the trade. Responsible for performing work related to the construction and maintain of poles, power lines, auxiliary facilities, and equipment for the transmission and distribution of electricity. This position supports and learns from the Lineman team and works with other personnel from the department.
   
   * Construct, maintain, and inspect transmission and distribution of electrical or power lines.
   * Provide technical skills needed for the operation and maintenance of reliable electrical services for the consumer, completing jobs with quality and timeliness.
   * Provide for connecting and disconnecting, installing and removal, moving and transferring of various electrical devices on customer facilities, i.e. transformers, transformer banks, regulators, switches, switching devices, capacitor banks, etc.
   * Route or reroute power lines over, under, or around existing lines and structures.
   * Inspect and/or remove power lines that are damaged.
   * Assist in carrying poles, digging holes, and other operations involved in setting or replacing poles.
   * Perform line switching or sectionalizing, as directed.
   * Investigate consumer complaints and make repairs to energized electrical distribution lines, as needed.
   * Provide backup for Class B Apprentice Lineman and assist in completion of duties.
   * Responsible for timely submission of all Apprentice Program required documentation.
   * May troubleshoot electrical problems on customer equipment.
   * Drive bucket truck to jobsite and maintain truck stock.
   * Perform other duties as required and/or assigned.
   
   Qualifications
   
   Minimum
   
   * High school diploma, or equivalent.
   * 1 year of lineman experience.
   * Valid Class A CDL is required.
   
   Preferred
   
   * 2 or more years of lineman experience.
   * OSHA 10 Certification.
   
   Physical Demands and Work Environment
   
   This job operates in a field environment. This role routinely requires extended periods of bending, squatting, climbing, kneeling, pushing, pulling, lifting, lifting in awkward positions, standing, and twisting. Also, working in inclement weather conditions, such as extreme heat, extreme cold, rain, ice, snow, and wind.
   
   The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. This position is physically active, with lifting required. Must be able to bend and lift and carry up to 50 pounds. Clarity of vision at 20 feet or more or 20 inches or less, with the ability to judge distance and space relationships. Precise hand-eye coordination. Ability to identify and distinguish colors.
   
   Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. The Company reserves the right to revise or change the job duties as the need arises. Management reserves the right to change the description, duties, or work schedules to accommodate individuals with disabilities.
   
   Benefits available include Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability and Life insurance, a 401k plan and Employee Stock Purchase plan. MasTec is a publicly traded company MTZ (NYSE).
   
   Equal Employment Opportunity:
   
   The Company's policy is not to unlawfully discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law and EEOC regulations. The Company also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find lineman apprentices for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any lineman apprentices they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level lineman apprentices with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with lineman apprentice candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   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 lineman apprentice

   Once you've decided on a perfect lineman apprentice candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

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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How much does it cost to hire a lineman apprentice?