Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
Crews drive to job sites to install, maintain, and repair the cables, wires, transformers, circuit breakers, and switches in electrical distribution and transmission systems. Reaching the work means climbing poles or riding truck-mounted buckets; damaged poles are replaced or straightened. Safety comes first: equipment is checked, barriers go up around the area, and switches are opened or grounding devices attached before anyone works on a disturbed or fallen line. Lines and auxiliary gear are inspected and tested to find faults, and assignments are coordinated with other workers. It suits people who like outdoor physical problem-solving at height and who stay careful with safety routines and crew coordination.
Typical education: High School Diploma or GED
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$95'320
Median Wage Market Position
$95'320
What you might do
- Install and repair power lines and transformers
- Climb poles or work from truck buckets
- Test power lines and switches for problems
- Ground fallen lines before starting repairs
- Replace or straighten damaged utility poles
- Set work-area barriers and check equipment
Skills that matter
- Finding faults on power lines
- Grounding lines before a repair
- Climbing poles or riding the bucket
- Replacing or straightening damaged poles
- Coordinating assignments with other workers
- Checking barriers and gear before work
AI & the future of this role
Climbing poles and towers to restore live power lines involves outdoor risk, weather, and strict safety rules that keep the work firmly human. Planning software may optimize outage response, but grid reliability still hinges on licensed crews in the field.
Does Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers fit your values?
Take the free LostInCareer assessment to see personalized matches based on your core values—not just a personality label.
Related careers
Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details