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The differences between linemen and groundmen can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a lineman has an average salary of $78,563, which is higher than the $64,471 average annual salary of a groundman.
The top three skills for a lineman include safety rules, switches and CDL. The most important skills for a groundman are hand tools, safety rules, and physical labor.
| Lineman | Groundman | |
| Yearly salary | $78,563 | $64,471 |
| Hourly rate | $37.77 | $31.00 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 2,672 | 4,221 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 43% | High School Diploma, 55% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
The primary job of a lineman is to install, repair, and maintain high-powered electrical lines and systems. They work on transmission and distribution lines from the power sources and extend to individual buildings or homes. Those working as a lineman can repair both overhead and underground electrical wires and cables. In addition, their responsibilities might also include excavating trenches to install underground lines, climbing poles to repair overhead lines, installing the meter, and inspecting power lines for possible repair or replacement.
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.
Linemen and groundmen have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lineman | Groundman | |
| Average salary | $78,563 | $64,471 |
| Salary range | Between $53,000 And $115,000 | Between $45,000 And $91,000 |
| Highest paying City | Reno, NV | Beaverton, OR |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | NV Energy | MDU Resources |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Energy |
There are a few differences between a lineman and a groundman in terms of educational background:
| Lineman | Groundman | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 43% | High School Diploma, 55% |
| Most common major | Business | Electrical Engineering Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between linemen' and groundmen' demographics:
| Lineman | Groundman | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.7% Female, 5.3% | Male, 95.5% Female, 4.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 3.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.5% Asian, 1.2% White, 75.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5% | Black 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |