How to hire a lineman

How to hire a lineman, step by step

Here's a step-by-step lineman 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 job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new lineman
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a lineman do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a lineman, 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's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, linemen 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.

   This list presents lineman salaries for various positions.

   Type of Lineman	Description	Hourly rate
   Lineman	Line installers and repairers, also known as line workers, install or repair electrical power systems and telecommunications cables, including fiber optics.	$25-55
   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
   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

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Safety Rules
   • Switches
   • CDL
   • Distribution Systems
   • PPE
   • Ventilation
   • Hand Tools
   • Distribution Lines
   • Electrical Distribution
   • Transmission Lines
   • Bucket Truck
   • Safety Practices
   • Ladders
   • Climb Poles

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Certify in first aid and CPR.
   • Move asphalt to where ever need.
   • Maintain all company issue tools and PPE.
   • Experience in jetting/underground fiber and NESC work as well.
   • Maintain a current CDL license with an excellent driving record.
   • Edit, and maintain filing system for all engineer drawings utilizing AutoCAD.

   More lineman duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the lineman job description is a good way to get more applicants. A lineman salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a lineman in Virginia may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level lineman. Additionally, a lineman with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average lineman salary

   $78,563yearly

   $37.77 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level lineman salary

   $53,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 22, 2025

   Average lineman salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Nevada	$106,330	$51
   2	California	$98,298	$47
   3	Colorado	$89,684	$43
   4	New Mexico	$83,909	$40
   5	North Carolina	$75,462	$36
   6	Tennessee	$74,744	$36
   7	Texas	$73,173	$35
   8	Virginia	$71,340	$34
   9	South Carolina	$67,887	$33
   10	Georgia	$65,167	$31
   11	Florida	$58,934	$28
   12	Louisiana	$58,628	$28

   Average lineman salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	NV Energy	$101,596	$48.84	1
   2	Pacifi	$101,417	$48.76	15
   3	San Diego Gas & Electric	$100,612	$48.37
   4	PNM Resources	$97,626	$46.94
   5	El Paso Electric	$97,505	$46.88
   6	Newwave Technologies Inc.	$97,418	$46.84
   7	OGE Energy	$95,972	$46.14	1
   8	The AES	$95,534	$45.93
   9	Southern	$95,024	$45.68	4
   10	Xcel Energy	$94,771	$45.56	12
   11	American Electric Power	$93,234	$44.82	4
   12	Grant PUD	$92,647	$44.54	1
   13	National Railroad Passenger Corporation	$83,316	$40.06	1
   14	Ameren	$82,112	$39.48	5
   15	Mears Transportation Group	$81,558	$39.21
   16	Endeavor Energy Resources	$77,523	$37.27
   17	Spectrum	$77,502	$37.26
   18	M.C. Dean	$76,435	$36.75	2
   19	Ferreira Construction Co., Inc.	$74,309	$35.73
   20	Gaylor Electric	$69,681	$33.50

4. Writing a lineman job description

   A job description for a lineman role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a lineman job description:

   Lineman 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.
   
   The OHE Lineman A assists Journeyman Lineman and the Foreman while in training and learning the trade. Responsible for performing diversified work related to the construction and maintenance of poles, power lines, auxiliary facilities, and equipment for the distribution of electricity. Sets a good example for newer apprentices by always following and teaching safe practices. This position supports the Line team and works with other personnel from the department.
   Responsibilities
   
   * 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 customers' 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 such operations involved in setting or replacing poles.
   * Perform line switching or sectionalizing, as directed.
   * Assist in on-the-job training of apprentices and other crew members in maintenance and construction of power lines.
   * 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.
   * Investigate consumer complaints and make repairs to energized electrical distribution lines, as needed.
   * Perform other duties as required and/or assigned.
   
   Qualifications
   
   Minimum Qualifications
   
   * High school diploma, or equivalent.
   * 3 years of lineman experience.
   * Valid Class A CDL is required.
   
   Preferred Qualifications
   
   * 5 or more years of 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 the right lineman 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 linemen they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit linemen 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 lineman job on Zippia to find and recruit lineman candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with lineman 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.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you 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

   Once you have selected a candidate for the lineman position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the 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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