The lineman trade is one of the country’s most respected and lucrative careers. With the high demand for linemen, many schools offer training programs to help you become a licensed electrician or gas fitter.
However, not all training programs are created equal; some schools provide better instruction while others have lower pay rates or fewer job opportunities after graduation.
If you want to learn more about the best trade schools for linemen, keep reading.
What is The Average Salary of a Lineman
The average hourly wage for a Lineman in the United States is $28.71 per hour as of December 4, 2024.
While hourly wages can range from $49.04 to $12.02, most Lineman wages in the United States currently range from $21.88 (25th percentile) to $33.65 (75th percentile).
A Lineman’s average pay range varies greatly (up to $11.78), implying that there may be numerous opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location, and years of experience.
According to recent job postings, the Lineman job market in Chicago, IL, and the surrounding area is highly active.
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What Are the Lineman School Requirements?
You should meet the school’s requirements before applying to a lineman school. The following are the prerequisites for lineman schools in 2024:
- The application fee (not all schools require this)
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- Have a Driver’s license
- Transcripts from High school.
15 Best Trade Schools For Lineman in 2024
1. United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the U.S. and Canada
The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the U.S. and Canada (UAJ) is by far the largest JATC in the world, with over 30,000 members—and it’s easy to see why: their training programs are among some of the best in North America. The UAJ is one of the best trade schools for Linemen.
The UAJ got founded in 1889 as a way to improve working conditions for plumbers. Still, today they offer training in just about any trade you can think of: from electricians to refrigeration specialists to steamfitters (yes, there’s even a school dedicated solely to teaching people how to repair boilers).
In addition to providing excellent instruction through courses at various locations across North America (and even online), they also offer job placement assistance for students who graduate from their programs.
If you complete your coursework successfully, chances are good that your first job will be at one of these schools!
2. Center for Employment Training (CET)
CET is a non-profit organization that offers a variety of programs to help train workers for the construction industry. CET has been around since 1967, one of Atlanta’s oldest trade schools For Linemen.
CET offers on-site and online training options for apprenticeship students who want to learn about wiring and conduit systems and electrical equipment such as lights, switches, and outlets.
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3. Northwest Lineman College
Northwest Lineman College is one of the best trade schools for Linemen. The school offers an apprenticeship program that lasts two years and a four-year degree program with majors in electricity, gas, and oil pipelines; construction site safety; electrical maintenance/electronics; industrial maintenance/electronics; and more.
Students can also study for one of their many associate degrees or certificates at NWLC.
4. Professional Cable Splicing School
The Professional Cable Splicing School is one of the best trade schools for Linemen. Its located in Atlanta, Georgia, and offers a one-year program.
The course cost is $12,500 and includes tuition, books, and supplies. It also includes on-the-job training that requires you to be able to complete splices with no more than two joints per run (and preferably no more than one).
If you’re interested in this trade but still need to gain experience or background in electrical work, this program could be an excellent way to start learning about it!
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5. Texas Lineman’s Camp, LLC
Texas Lineman’s Camp, LLC is a two-year program that offers students the opportunity to earn their electrical apprenticeship license and become electricians.
The school has its location in Houston, Texas, which means it’s convenient for those who want to work in the utility industry but don’t want to drive all over town. It is one of the best trade schools for Linemen.
The school has received accreditation from ACCSC (Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges) since 1999.
It means that TLC has met or exceeded the standards set by this agency regarding quality assurance in its courses and programs.
6. Ohio Lineman’s Training Center
The Ohio Lineman’s Training Center is a division of Owens Community College and offers the NECA-IBEW Electrical Lineman Apprentice Program.
This program trains students to become apprentice electricians, a type of Lineman. The school was founded in 1928 and had been offering classes since then.
It has over 2,000 students enrolled each semester at its campus in Columbus, Ohio. The Ohio Lineman’s training center is one of the best trade schools for Linemen.
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7. ABC Utah Craftsmanship Training Program
ABC Utah is a non-profit organization founded in 1983, offering classes at its headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Utah craftmanship training program is one of the best trade schools for Linemen. Their training program focuses on Lineman fundamentals and safety procedures.
ABC Utah has a 100% job placement rate for all students who complete their program successfully.
8. Power Test, Inc. Construction and Skilled Trades Training Center
Power Test is a company that trains people in the electrical industry. They’ve taught people since 1973 and have campuses in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa.
Power Test is one of the best trade schools for Linemen. It has a 100% job placement rate for students employed within six months of graduation – thanks to its structured program, which includes hands-on learning experience at work sites across the country.
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9. U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship (OA) National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA)-IBEW Electrical Lineman Apprentice Program
The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship (OA) National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA)-IBEW Electrical Lineman Apprentice Program is a paid, full-time program that will teach you all about electrical work.
It is one of the best trade schools for Linemen. You can work with a union, local or non-union employer, make good money, and have an opportunity to get licensed as an electrician in just 12 months or less!
This program can get offered online, so no travel expenses are involved. You’ll spend your time reading material and completing assignments and quizzes on the job site at home or school (the latter option allows students living far away from campus).
10. Southeast Lineman Training Center
SLTC is one of the best trade schools for linemen. It was founded in 1999 and has become one of the nation’s top lineworker training centers.
George Nelson founded the school to assist the lineworker industry with its need for more qualified entry-level employees.
In addition to its main campus in northwest Georgia, SLTC Global provides training for a variety of companies all over the world.
The school offers a 15-week electrical worker program and a 7-week communications worker program. The electrical program costs around $15,995 for the course.
It includes academic training, field training, certification, and skills. This program also provides transmission, substation, and CDL on the sprawling campus. The SLTC is one of the best trade schools for Linemen.
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11. North American Lineman Training Center
Gary Roberts founded NATLC in 2006 to provide education for workers in an industry facing a wave of retirements in the coming years.
NALTC is one of the best trade schools for Linemen. It’s a smaller school, which the institute takes pride in because it focuses on providing a lower instructor-to-student ratio.
Despite its smaller size, NALTC’s 20-acre campus in northern Tennessee, which includes an indoor training facility, is expanding.
The lineworker program, which costs $11,955 plus $475 for CDL training, covers everything needed for a career in linework, including transmission, distribution, conversion, transformers, underground, and more.
In addition, the school provides financial aid and certifies veterans for G.I. Bill benefits.
12. Vocational Outside Line Training Academy
VOLTA is one of the best trade schools for Linemen. It’s been providing lineworker education in the Pacific Northwest since 1957. They offer a 10-week lineworker program and a variety of other industry-related training.
The program costs $8,500, and VOLTA does not provide financial assistance. Scholarships can provide financial aid to students.
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13. Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service
TEEX, part of Texas A&M Engineering, provides a wide range of infrastructure courses, including a program for lineworkers in electrical and telecommunications.
The Lineman Academy’s tuition is $13,500. Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service is one of the best trade schools for Linemen.
14. Lineman Institute of the Northeast
The Lineman Institute of the Northeast is one of the best trade schools for Linemen. It’s a small Northeast school focusing on smaller student-instructor ratios and offers lineworker training and CDL for around $17,000 for a 15-week course.
It’s important to note that $17,000 includes housing, tools, CDL training, and other expenses besides tuition.
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15. Southside Virginia Community College
This 11-week program is one of the preferred schools for the Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware Electric cooperative territory, which offers scholarships to students accepted into the 11-week program at SVCC. Southside Virginia Community College is one of the best trade schools for Linemen.
Frequently Asked Questions
To be a lineman, you must have exceptional mental and physical strength. Mental strength is essential when you work 12-hour days, six days a week. One wrong move or missed communication due to fatigue or tiredness can cost you your life or the lives of many others.
Being a lineman is a challenging job. It is one of the most physically demanding trade jobs available. Working at heights is a large part of the job. Linemen must climb poles and use bucket lifts to install and repair power lines.
Linemen in the United States earn an average of $78,563 per year or $37.77 per hour. Linemen on the lower end of that spectrum, the bottom 10%, earn around $53,000 per year, while the top 10% earn around $115,000 per year.
A line worker installs and repairs overhead distribution and transmission systems, such as poles, cables, and electrical systems.
As a Power Distribution Specialist, you will supply electricity to the Army. You will construct, install, and maintain electrical distribution systems such as utility poles, power lines, and electrical hardware that provide power for all operations.
Conclusion
We hope this list has given you some ideas on where to start your search for a trade school that will help you get a career in Lineman.
There are many different programs available, and we included them here so there would be no confusion about what kind of education you need for each position.
Remember that it can take time before finding an apprenticeship program that works well with your schedule or budget, so don’t give up!
Consider working as an apprentice at one of these colleges or trade schools before applying for any other training program.
References
- huskietools.com – Top Lineman schools.
- trade-schools.net – Lineman training schools.
- divergentalliance.com – How to become a Lineman.
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