How To Become A Power Lineman In Texas
If what you’re looking for is a high-paying job and a stable career without going to college for four years sinking into student loan debt, then you should consider becoming a utility service worker.
The job of a power lineman is to construct or take part in the construction and maintenance of electrical transmission and distribution lines. A power lineman does just outdoor construction and maintenance, so if you’re looking for indoor electrical work then you should look into becoming an industrial or residential electrician.
Starting an awesome and highly beneficial career as a power lineman requires adequate preparation, will, and passion for the job. It is a job the requires more than dollar-chasing. If you hear the call what awaits is a rewarding career that does offer a very attractive salary and a nice benefits package.
How To Start Your Career As a Power Lineman In Texas
One way to become a power lineman is to start as an apprentice in a four-year power lineman training program like the one offered in Northwest Lineman College in Denton, Texas. To start your career as a power lineman, you need to be at least 18, have a high school diploma or GED, and a driver’s license is also needed.
A power lineman training program is basically an advanced form of apprenticeship, you must pass interviews and some tests before you’re admitted. When you’re finally admitted, you work on the field alongside an established and experienced power lineman.
Your apprenticeship program teaches you the basics of the job; it starts with safety standards, as the job is quite dangerous, working with electricity and the risk of getting electrocuted. Climbing, which is a major requirement if you want to make it as a power lineman, and how to operate electrical equipment and infrastructures.
When you’ve worked and gained experience as an apprentice for 8000 hours, you can become an established power lineman getting your full benefits package.
Another way to get into this job is to visit the IBEW (International Brotherhood Of Electrical Workers) hall in your area, let them how much you’re interested in becoming a power lineman by going and signing the books, you will be asked to sign up for a spot, and when it opens up you will be contacted and placed as a junior apprentice, and thereon your journey begins.
Salary packages for a power lineman
This is a high paying job. According to the Bureau of labor statistics, the median annual salary for a power lineman is approximately $69,380. Your salary as a power lineman is also determined by your job experience, the more experience you have on the job the higher your pay.
A power lineman job is one that you get more experience depending on how long you’ve spent on the job, and your duration on the job entitles you to a higher salary.
The base wage for an apprentice ranges from $28,200 to $72,414 and ranges from $47,100 to $104,482 for a journeyman power lineman. This is according to a report by PayScale.
The job sector is expected to grow even more at a rate of 14% from 2016 to 2026, which is higher than the average employment growth rate. This means over sixteen thousand power lineman jobs will be added to the economy nationwide.
This is the best time to become a power lineman and work yourself into financial freedom, join a power lineman training institute in Texas today.