Best institutions to study Lineworker
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to install, operate, maintain and repair local, long-distance, and rural electric power cables and communication lines; erect and construct pole and tower lines; and install underground lines and cables.
79 U.S. institutions graduated 2,855 Lineworker students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 46.0303, a specialization of Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (CIP 46.03), and leads most directly to the First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers occupation (BLS SOC 49-1011).
About Lineworker programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to install, operate, maintain and repair local, long-distance, and rural electric power cables and communication lines; erect and construct pole and tower lines; and install underground lines and cables. Includes instruction in cable installation and repair, fibre-optic technology, trenching, mobile equipment and crane operation, high-voltage installations, maintenance and inspection, safety, remote communications, and applicable codes and standards.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Lineworker program, part of the Electrical and Power Transmission Installers field, prepares individuals to install, operate, maintain, and repair electric power cables and communication lines. This program is ideal for those interested in a hands-on career in construction trades, focusing on both aerial and underground installations.
Students in the Lineworker program gain technical knowledge and skills in areas such as cable installation and repair, high-voltage installations, safety practices, and equipment operation. Coursework includes training on trenching, mobile equipment, and applicable codes and standards.
Credentials awarded
What Lineworker graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years1,494 graduates / yr · 49 institutions52%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year854 graduates / yr · 24 institutions30%
- Associate's degree440 graduates / yr · 26 institutions15%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years39 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.4%
- Award of less than 12 weeks28 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.0%
Graduates over time
Lineworker completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,305 |
| 2013 | 1,216 |
| 2014 | 1,468 |
| 2015 | 1,419 |
| 2016 | 1,607 |
| 2017 | 1,811 |
| 2018 | 1,874 |
| 2019 | 1,677 |
| 2020 | 2,120 |
| 2021 | 2,155 |
| 2022 | 2,257 |
| 2023 | 2,180 |
| 2024 | 2,731 |
| 2025 | 2,855 |
Top 50 institutions for Lineworker, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas State Technical College Waco, TXPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 380 | 46% | — | $76,445 |
| 2 | Nash Community College Rocky Mount, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 175 | 41% | — | $52,474 |
| 3 | Trinidad State College Trinidad, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 113 | 55% | — | $73,424 |
| 4 | Mitchell Technical College Mitchell, SDPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 105 | 76% | — | $60,565 |
| 5 | Alpena Community College Alpena, MIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 95 | 52% | — | — |
| 6 | Northwest Iowa Community College Sheldon, IAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 88 | 58% | — | $78,118 |
| 7 | North Georgia Technical College Clarkesville, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 85 | 39% | — | $41,675 |
| 8 | Horry - Georgetown Technical College Conway, SCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 73 | 38% | — | $32,356 |
| 9 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 72 | 40% | — | $80,734 |
| 10 | Highlands College of Montana Tech Butte, MTPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 65 | 45% | — | — |
| 11 | Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology Okmulgee, OKPublicAssociate's | 61 | 42% | — | — |
| 12 | Minnesota State Community and Technical College Fergus Falls, MNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 60 | 47% | — | $50,776 |
| 13 | Bismarck State College Bismarck, NDPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 56 | 47% | — | $48,853 |
| 14 | Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire, WIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 52 | 50% | — | $60,950 |
| 15 | Metropolitan Community College Area Omaha, NEPublicAssociate's | 51 | 29% | — | $64,751 |
| 16 | South Georgia Technical College Americus, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 50 | 61% | — | $51,498 |
| 17 | Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction, COPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 45 | 41% | — | $49,330 |
| 18 | City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy - King College Chicago, ILPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 45 | 31% | — | $142,516 |
| 19 | State Technical College of Missouri Linn, MOPublicAssociate's | 42 | 84% | — | $54,080 |
| 20 | Dakota County Technical College Rosemount, MNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 40 | 58% | — | $53,566 |
| 21 | Southwest Wisconsin Technical College Fennimore, WIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 40 | 66% | — | $53,024 |
| 22 | Atlantic Technical College Coconut Creek, FLPublicAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 39 | 65% | — | $29,493 |
| 23 | Arkansas State University - Newport Newport, ARPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 39 | 46% | — | $71,039 |
| 24 | Ozarks Technical Community College Springfield, MOPublicAssociate's | 38 | 33% | — | $62,177 |
| 25 | York Technical College Rock Hill, SCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 38 | 30% | — | — |
| 26 | Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Green Bay, WIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 38 | 51% | — | $31,061 |
| 27 | Tulsa Welding School - Dallas Campus Irving, TXPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 36 | — | — | — |
| 28 | Minnesota West Community and Technical College Granite Falls, MNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 35 | 52% | — | $51,507 |
| 29 | University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College North Little Rock, ARPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 34 | 36% | — | — |
| 30 | Northeast Community College Norfolk, NEPublicAssociate's | 32 | 56% | — | $59,177 |
| 31 | South Florida State College Avon Park, FLPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 31 | 48% | — | — |
| 32 | Moraine Park Technical College Fond du Lac, WIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 30 | 58% | — | $41,051 |
| 33 | Jackson College Jackson, MIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 29 | 16% | — | — |
| 34 | Trident Technical College Charleston, SCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 29 | 30% | — | — |
| 35 | Atlanta Technical College Atlanta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 27 | 49% | — | — |
| 36 | Warren County Career Center Lebanon, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 27 | 77% | — | $70,278 |
| 37 | Kennebec Valley Community College Fairfield, MEPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 26 | 39% | — | $70,166 |
| 38 | Western Nebraska Community College Scottsbluff, NEPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 26 | 37% | — | — |
| 39 | Pickaway Ross Joint Vocational School District Chillicothe, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 26 | 100% | — | $55,317 |
| 40 | Coastal Pines Technical College Waycross, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 26 | 48% | — | — |
| 41 | Tulsa Welding School - Jacksonville Jacksonville, FLPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 25 | 73% | $28,537 | $30,684 |
| 42 | Marion Technical College Marion, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 23 | 31% | — | — |
| 43 | Northwest Mississippi Community College Senatobia, MSPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 22 | 45% | — | — |
| 44 | Tarrant County College District Fort Worth, TXPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 21 | 34% | — | — |
| 45 | Marshalltown Community College Marshalltown, IAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeks | 20 | 42% | — | $43,768 |
| 46 | Western Technical College El Paso, TXPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 20 | 72% | — | — |
| 47 | Yavapai College Prescott, AZPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 19 | 34% | — | — |
| 48 | Cuyahoga Valley Career Center Brecksville, OHPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 19 | 81% | — | — |
| 49 | Northern Michigan University Marquette, MIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 18 | 52% | — | $53,242 |
| 50 | Manchester Community College Manchester, NHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 18 | 41% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Electrical and Power Transmission Installers field (CIP 46.03) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 32 states
Where Lineworker graduates come from. Each state links to all Electrical and Power Transmission Installers programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 49-1011, First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers, and its national outlook.
Graduates can pursue careers as Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers or First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers. The job outlook is promising, with an expected growth rate of 3.1% and approximately 52,400 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is $78,300, typically requiring a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 46.0303
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairersprimary SOC 49-1011 | $79,860 | +3.1% About as fast as average | ~52,400 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers SOC 49-9051 | $95,320 | +6.6% Faster than average | ~10,700 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Lineworker programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Inspect, test, and measure completed work, using devices such as hand tools or gauges to verify conformance to standards or repair requirements.
- Inspect and monitor work areas, examine tools and equipment, and provide employee safety training to prevent, detect, and correct unsafe conditions or violations of procedures and safety rules.
- Interpret specifications, blueprints, or job orders to construct templates and lay out reference points for workers.
- Monitor employees' work levels and review work performance.
- Perform skilled repair or maintenance operations, using equipment such as hand or power tools, hydraulic presses or shears, or welding equipment.
- Compute estimates and actual costs of factors such as materials, labor, or outside contractors.
Tools and technology used
Other Electrical and Power Transmission Installers specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (CIP 46.03).
Common questions
What is the duration of the Lineworker program?+
The program typically awards credentials ranging from at least 12 weeks to less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I learn in this program?+
You will develop skills in monitoring, critical thinking, active listening, and safety practices.
What types of careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as an Electrical Power-Line Installer or a First-Line Supervisor in related fields.
What is the job outlook for lineworkers?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 3.1% and 52,400 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Lineworker?+
Lineworker is CIP 46.0303 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (CIP 46.03). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to install, operate, maintain and repair local, long-distance, and rural electric power cables and communication lines; erect and construct pole and tower lines; and install underground lines and cables. Includes instruction in cable installation and repair, fibre-optic technology, trenching, mobile equipment and crane operation, high-voltage installations, maintenance and inspection, safety, remote communications, and applicable codes and standards.
How many institutions offer Lineworker programs?+
79 U.S. institutions reported Lineworker graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 32 states, awarding 2,855 credentials in the year. That is 7.0% of all Electrical and Power Transmission Installers graduates.
How much do Lineworker graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers occupation, which Lineworker most directly leads to, pays a median of $79,860 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Electrical and Power Transmission Installers field report median earnings of $53,242 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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