National
| Median wages (2008) |
$26.49 hourly, $55,100 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
112,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Average (7% to 13%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
43,000 additional employees |
49-9051.00 - Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
Install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems. May erect poles and light or heavy duty transmission towers.
Sample of reported job titles:
Lineman, Journeyman Lineman, Electrical Lineworker, Lineworker, Power Lineman
Tasks
- Adhere to safety practices and procedures, such as checking equipment regularly and erecting barriers around work areas.
- Open switches or attach grounding devices to remove electrical hazards from disturbed or fallen lines or to facilitate repairs.
- Climb poles or use truck-mounted buckets to access equipment.
- Place insulating or fireproofing materials over conductors and joints.
- Install, maintain, and repair electrical distribution and transmission systems, including conduits, cables, wires, and related equipment, such as transformers, circuit breakers, and switches.
- Identify defective sectionalizing devices, circuit breakers, fuses, voltage regulators, transformers, switches, relays, or wiring, using wiring diagrams and electrical-testing instruments.
- Drive vehicles equipped with tools and materials to job sites.
- Coordinate work assignment preparation and completion with other workers.
- Inspect and test power lines and auxiliary equipment to locate and identify problems, using reading and testing instruments.
- String wire conductors and cables between poles, towers, trenches, pylons, and buildings, setting lines in place and using winches to adjust tension.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Conduit benders — Cable benders; Hand benders; Hydraulic benders; Power benders |
| Power drills — Electric drills; Gas drills; Hammer drills; Hydraulic drills |
| Saws — Buck saws; Hacksaws; Hand saws; Keyhole saws |
| Voltage or current meters — Current leakage meters; Digital recording amp meters; Digital voltmeters DVM; Insulator testers |
| Wire or cable cutters — Cable cutters; Hydraulic cutters; Insulated cable cutters; Ratchet cutters |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Electronic mail software — Email software |
| Inventory management software |
| Office suite software — Microsoft Office software |
| Spreadsheet software |
| Word processing software |
