According to the Edison Electric Institute, there are more than 600,000 circuit miles of electric transmission lines. These lines connect power plants to distribution stations which are then connected to the customers. Electrical linemen install the towers and poles and maintain the substations required to supply this power.
Outside work is demanding both physically and mentally. Much of the work is performed from a bucket truck and on poles so climbing and a comfortability with heights is required. Linemen also work on energized equipment so safety is imperative at all times. Working in extreme weather conditions is also a possibility since the extreme weather is often what causes outages. Travel is required and linemen spend a lot of time away from home.
This job is in high demand and is well compensated for the risk. According to BLS statistics, the median salary for a journeyman lineman for 2017 was $74,704.