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The differences between linemen and substation technicians 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 $39,335 average annual salary of a substation technician.
The top three skills for a lineman include safety rules, switches and CDL. The most important skills for a substation technician are hand tools, circuit breakers, and substation equipment.
| Lineman | Substation Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $78,563 | $39,335 |
| Hourly rate | $37.77 | $18.91 |
| Growth rate | 6% | -1% |
| Number of jobs | 2,672 | 44,872 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 43% | Associate Degree, 35% |
| Average age | 39 | 37 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
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.
Substation technicians are electrical professionals who are responsible for performing routine maintenance and emergency repairs on electrical substations. These technicians must possess skills in using basic hand tools to install or replace defective parts while assembling or disassembling electrical equipment. They are required to make professional electrical wiring and other repairs to electrical systems so that they can ensure safety to residents and other employees. Substation technicians must also work outdoors to perform maintenance on high voltage equipment that is installed in high and confined areas.
Linemen and substation technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lineman | Substation Technician | |
| Average salary | $78,563 | $39,335 |
| Salary range | Between $53,000 And $115,000 | Between $29,000 And $53,000 |
| Highest paying City | Reno, NV | - |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | - |
| Best paying company | NV Energy | - |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | - |
There are a few differences between a lineman and a substation technician in terms of educational background:
| Lineman | Substation Technician | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 43% | Associate Degree, 35% |
| Most common major | Business | Electrical Engineering Technology |
| Most common college | - | New Mexico State University |
Here are the differences between linemen' and substation technicians' demographics:
| Lineman | Substation Technician | |
| Average age | 39 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 94.7% Female, 5.3% | Male, 97.3% Female, 2.7% |
| 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, 5.5% Unknown, 7.2% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 3.9% White, 69.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 3% |