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How to hire a power line lineman

Power line lineman hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring power line linemen in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a power line lineman is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new power line lineman to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a power line lineman, step by step

To hire a power line lineman, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a power line lineman:

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

    Before you post your power line lineman job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a power line lineman for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A power line lineman's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, power line 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 power line lineman salaries for various positions.

    Type of Power Line LinemanDescriptionHourly rate
    Power Line LinemanLine installers and repairers, also known as line workers, install or repair electrical power systems and telecommunications cables, including fiber optics.$24-46
    GroundmanA 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 ApprenticeA 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
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Hand Tools
    • CDL
    • OSHA
    • Electrical Distribution
    • Distribution Systems
    • Distribution Lines
    • Safety Rules
    • Transmission Lines
    • CPR
    Responsibilities:
    • Cut trenches for laying underground cables, using trenchers, cable plows and backhoes.
    • Set up cranes at work location and establish a control access zone to prevent injury to others on the job site.
    • Obtain multiple certifications for various machines.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your power line lineman job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A power line lineman can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, power line linemen' average salary in hawaii is 43% less than in alaska.
    • Seniority. Entry-level power line linemen 48% less than senior-level power line linemen.
    • Certifications. A power line lineman with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a power line lineman's salary.

    Average power line lineman salary

    $69,711yearly

    $33.51 hourly rate

    Entry-level power line lineman salary
    $50,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 20, 2025
  4. Writing a power line lineman job description

    A job description for a power line 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 power line lineman job description:

    Power line lineman job description example

    • Strings, splices, transfers and sags wire in energized or de-energized circuits and connects wires and transformers as specified or directed. Shortens or lengthens lines by adding or removing wire, using a variety of types of splices, connectors, sleeves or clamps. Regularly works above ground on poles or steel towers using climbers and safety belt or operating man lift equipment, boom truck or other specialized equipment. Uses a variety of underground locating and fault finding equipment.
    • Routes or re-routes power lines over, under or around existing lines and structures, regularly working above, on, or in close proximity to energized lines. Selects and uses a variety of "hot line" tools and makes use of rubber gloves, line hoses, mechanical jumpers, fiber guards, blankets and other protective devices as specified. Works on all voltages as required throughout the system.
    • Installs, removes, transfers, maintains and/or repairs cross arms, pins, insulators, transformer and switch racks and other overhead pole and Underground Residential Distribution equipment using a variety of hand tools, equipment and power tools.
    • Installs and removes transformers, including primary and secondary current transformers and self-contained meters; cut-outs, disconnecting switches, circuit breakers and other overhead line.
    • Performs line switching or sectionalizing as directed. Performs emergency repairs, phases and connects circuits under load; performs load checks and balances feeders as required.
    • Inspects lines, poles and equipment for signs of damage or wear and reports deficiencies.
    • Assists in carrying poles, digging holes, picking poles and other such operations involved in the setting or replacing of poles; may erect steel towers.
    • Assists in on-the-job training of apprentices and other crew members in maintenance and construction of power lines.
    • May troubleshoot electrical problems on company and customer equipment.
    • Perform all physical requirements of the position including being able to lift 50 lbs.
    • Works at heights greater than ten feet (example: in bucket or platform truck) to install equipment or connectors. Climbs ladders, poles, and towers on a daily or continuous basis as required.
    • Operates boom, bucket trucks and other heavy equipment requiring a valid Texas CDL
    • Comply to all company policies and procedures
    • Any other duties as assigned

    Position Requirements

    • Must have valid CDL
    • Must be able to pass drug test
    • Prefer 1 years' experience
    • Open availability and must be willing to travel as work is subject to stand-by, pre-arranged and/or call-out duty
    • High School Diploma/GED

    Benefits

    Benefits include medical, vision and dental insurance, 401K retirement savings plan, company paid life insurance and paid time off. Our company maintains a strong policy of equal employment opportunity for all associates. We hire, train, promote and compensate associates on the basis of personal and professional competence and potential for advancement without regard for race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, disability or citizenship, as well as other classifications protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

    About Lone Star Corporation

    Lone Star prides itself on the reputation that it has built providing instrumentation and electrical installation and maintenance for a wide variety of heavy industrial markets. Our 100% commitment to customer satisfaction ensures that our clients have a competitive advantage on all of their electrical projects. Our goal is to improve value without sacrificing quality, reliability or excellent service. Quality work demands quality people so apply today!



    Job Posted by ApplicantPro
  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find power line linemen for your business:

    • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your power line lineman job on Zippia to find and recruit power line lineman candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    To successfully recruit power line linemen, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up 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 power line lineman

    Once you've decided on a perfect power line lineman 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.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new power line lineman. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

  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 power line lineman?

Hiring a power line lineman comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting power line linemen involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of power line lineman recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

Power line linemen earn a median yearly salary is $69,711 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find power line linemen for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $24 and $46.

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