Lineworker Mississippi

Lineworkers maintain overhead and underground electrical power systems, often in rough terrain and in all types of weather.

Lineworkers climb poles and towers to install, maintain and repair the lines that connect electricity to customers. Lineworkers are responsible for installing transformers, voltage regulators, and service boxes. They also replace faulty equipment and test the safety of their work using measuring devices. Lineworkers use insulated tools, ropes, climbing hooks, climbing belts and other specialized equipment.

Working outdoors in all kinds of weather, lineworkers perform jobs that require strength and stamina. Lineworkers operate bucket trucks with booms or aerial lifts that can reach as high as 50 feet off the ground. Working in teams at times or alone on a job site is not uncommon. Most lineworkers are employed by electric utility companies or telecommunications companies

After completing training, you may be assigned to the Transmission Group or the Distribution Group. The type of company you work for will help determine the type of work you do.

Transmission companies own and operate high voltage transmission lines, which carry power from generating plants to substations. They also maintain substations and equipment at those stations.
Distribution companies own and maintain distribution lines and equipment on poles in your neighborhood, delivering power right up to your home or business.
Telecommunications companies install fiber optic lines as an alternate method of transmitting data and voice communications.

It usually takes about 4 years to become a journeyman lineworker, depending on where you get your training. You can use that time to earn good wages and build experience while getting paid at the same time.

For those who have always dreamed of being paid to climb towers and handle live wires, there couldn’t be a better time to get into the field. With plenty of training options available, lineworkers can expect to take home a good income while they learn on the job. And once you do become a journeyman, with your certification in hand and years of experience under your belt, you’ll be making more money than ever before.

Journeyman lineworkers start at $42 per hour on average. And if you get hired by an employer in states like California or Alaska, you could end up bringing home as much as $56 per hour! The national average for this career is $33 per hour.

Lineworkers need a broad range of skills in both telecommunications and electric utility companies.

“Since they work with both electricity and telecommunications, lineworkers need to have a broad range of skills. You might be doing telephone line installation one day, and putting up a power line the next. It’s important that you can use tools like drills, saws, hammers, etc., without harming yourself or others. You’ll also need to learn how work with electricity and install electrical wiring in buildings and homes.

If you’re interested in a career as a lineworker, it’s important that you start preparing now—both for college classes related to electricity and for your future job as an apprentice lineman.”

Testing is required before you become an apprentice and annually thereafter.

The testing covers:

General aptitude and safety
Electrical theory and knowledge
Practical skills
Tools identification and use

Lineworkers are in demand, with more opportunities every year!

Lineworkers are needed to maintain and build transmission lines which carry power from generating plants to substations, from which it is sent out over distribution lines to homes and businesses. Electric utilities are increasingly expanding the number of jobs in order to provide more services for their customers. Transmission line work is one of these opportunities for expansion and growth. Therefore, there are many available jobs with an expected increase in the coming years.