What does a lineman do?
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.
Lineman responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real lineman resumes:
- 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.
- Work as a apprentice lineman on a 40 mile long 500KV transmission powerline.
- Operate roto-milling machines to plane roadways in preparation for new asphalt and reconstruction.
- Set anchors with auger machine or rock anchors with shovels and spud bars.
- Document and log each procedure, maintain a clean working utilizing strict OSHA standards.
- Patrol lines, investigates services interruptions and make temporary or permanent repairs as needed.
- Maintain and operate electric hoists, impact wrenches, pole jacks and portable power drills.
- Install and replace; anchors, cross arms, transformers, switches, lightning protection, insulators, etc.
- Work in a confine space and at high elevations (poles, hydraulic lift buckets, ladders).
- Job specific duties include splicing, pulling cable, climbing poles, working on ladders, bucket vans and trucks.
Lineman skills and personality traits
We calculated that 16% of Linemen are proficient in Safety Rules, Switches, and CDL. They’re also known for soft skills such as Mechanical skills, Teamwork, and Technical skills.
We break down the percentage of Linemen that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Safety Rules, 16%
Practice use of safety rules & regulations under Verizon's construction standards.
- Switches, 13%
Install, remove and repair switches on energized transmission line poles, substations and switches.
- CDL, 10%
Maintain a valid CDL class A license to drive the utility trucks and utility pole trailers.
- Distribution Systems, 9%
Constructed power lines and performed maintenance of high power transmission and distribution systems
- PPE, 8%
Installed and removed PPE, cover up, and mechanical jumpers.
- Ventilation, 5%
Installed lights, heaters, and ventilation within the mines.
Common skills that a lineman uses to do their job include "safety rules," "switches," and "cdl." You can find details on the most important lineman responsibilities below.
Mechanical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a lineman to have is mechanical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "line installers and repairers must have the knowledge and skills to repair or replace complex electrical and telecommunications lines and equipment." Linemen often use mechanical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "used hand tools, epoxy, mechanical equipment. "
Teamwork. Many lineman duties rely on teamwork. "because workers often rely on their fellow crew members for their safety, teamwork is critical.," so a lineman will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways lineman responsibilities rely on teamwork: "exhibited excellent teamwork and a strong work ethic by promoting camaraderie. "
Technical skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of linemen is technical skills. This skill is critical to many everyday lineman duties, as "line installers use sophisticated diagnostic equipment on circuit breakers, switches, and transformers." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "supplied technical and customer service support by phone and in person.maintained spare equipment and parts and managed inventory. "
Color vision. A big part of what linemen do relies on "color vision." You can see how essential it is to lineman responsibilities because "workers who handle electrical wires and cables must distinguish colors because the wires and cables are often color coded." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical lineman tasks: "installed new fiber optic backbone and distribution upgrade for broadband capabilities all over western colorado. "
Physical strength. Another common skill required for lineman responsibilities is "physical strength." This skill comes up in the duties of linemen all the time, as "line installers and repairers must be strong enough to lift heavy tools, cables, and equipment on a regular basis." An excerpt from a real lineman resume shows how this skill is central to what a lineman does: "perform rigorous physical labor installing and removing ppe and cover up. "
Troubleshooting skills. While "troubleshooting skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to lineman responsibilities. Much of what a lineman does relies on this skill, seeing as "line installers and repairers must diagnose problems in increasingly complex electrical systems and telecommunication lines." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of linemen: "job duties: building, maintaining, and troubleshooting over head and underground electrical distribution utilities. "
The three companies that hire the most linemans are:
- Pike387 linemen jobs
- MasTec90 linemen jobs
- Chain Electric23 linemen jobs
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Compare different linemen
Lineman vs. Tower erector
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, lineman responsibilities require skills like "safety rules," "switches," "cdl," and "distribution systems." Meanwhile a typical tower erector has skills in areas such as "connectors," "dishes," "safety audits," and "structural steel." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
On average, tower erectors reach similar levels of education than linemen. Tower erectors are 2.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Lineman vs. Cable installer repairer
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, lineman responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "safety rules," "switches," "cdl," and "ppe." Meanwhile, a cable installer repairer has duties that require skills in areas such as "fiber optic," "tv," "communications systems," and "voip." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
In general, cable installer repairers achieve similar levels of education than linemen. They're 2.0% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Lineman vs. Underground conduit installer
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from lineman resumes include skills like "safety rules," "switches," "ppe," and "ventilation," whereas an underground conduit installer is more likely to list skills in "water lines," "fiber optic," "underground utilities," and "equipment operation. "
Most underground conduit installers achieve a similar degree level compared to linemen. For example, they're 2.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Lineman vs. Emergency worker
Types of lineman
Updated January 8, 2025
