How long does lineworker training take in New Mexico?

Most paths into the lineworker field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What apprenticeships are available for lineworkers in New Mexico?

In New Mexico, registered apprenticeships are administered through the New Mexico Office of Apprenticeship, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details.

How to Become a Lineworker in New Mexico (2026)

Q: How much do lineworkers earn in New Mexico?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), lineworkers in New Mexico earned a median annual wage of approximately $76,470. Employment concentration in New Mexico is about 1.39 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: What is the job outlook for lineworkers in New Mexico?

New Mexico currently employs approximately 1,020 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6.6% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

New Mexico electrical power-line installers and repairers earn a median annual wage of $76,470 ($36.76/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 1,020 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -19.8% below the national median of $95,320 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $76,470 ($36.76/hr)
25th percentile: $58,980 per year
75th percentile: $96,000 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $105,590 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $46,640 per year
Workers employed in New Mexico: 1,020
Versus national median: -19.8% below the U.S. median of $95,320
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.39 - this occupation is more concentrated in New Mexico than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed September 2, 2026.

New Mexico employs about 1,020 lineworkers earning a median $76,470 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most lineworkers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in New Mexico.

Key Facts

Median wage (New Mexico): $76,470/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in New Mexico: 1,020 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 1.39x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Projected growth: 6.6% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)

Lineworker Wages by Metro Area in New Mexico

Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers Wages by Metro Area in New Mexico

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), electrical power-line installers and repairers wages in New Mexico vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Albuquerque	360	$79,240	$74,510	$44,280	$105,590
Farmington	120	$77,650	$76,000	$49,090	$96,390
Las Cruces	60	$59,530	$68,230	$44,340	$101,420
Santa Fe	30	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Median wage (New Mexico): $76,470 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Lineworker in New Mexico

How to become a lineworker in New Mexico? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for lineworkers in New Mexico.

How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What do lineworkers earn in New Mexico? The median annual wage for lineworkers in New Mexico is $76,470 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $46,640 and experienced professionals can earn $105,590 or more ¹.

How to Become a Lineworker in New Mexico

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most New Mexico training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an accredited trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in New Mexico that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to lineworkers in New Mexico before you start working.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Lineworker Apprenticeship Information in New Mexico

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. New Mexico’s apprenticeship program is administered by the New Mexico Office of Apprenticeship ³.

Contact Information:

Office: New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions
Address: 401 Broadway NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone: (505) 841-8565
Email: [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for lineworkers in New Mexico? New Mexico currently employs approximately 1,020 lineworkers ¹. Nationally, lineworker employment is projected to grow 6.6% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in New Mexico? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in New Mexico. You can also contact the New Mexico Office of Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do lineworkers earn in New Mexico compared to the national average? The median annual wage for lineworkers in New Mexico is $76,470, which is $16,090 below the national median of $92,560 according to BLS data ¹.

In New Mexico

Best Trade Schools in New Mexico (2026)

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
New Mexico Office of Apprenticeship: https://www.dws.state.nm.us/Job-Seeker/Jobs-and-Careers/Apprenticeship/Current-Programs ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)