How to Become a Lineworker in New York (2026)

New York employs about 5,840 lineworkers earning a median $121,280 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most lineworkers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in New York.

Key Facts

  • Median wage (New York): $121,280/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
  • Employed in New York: 5,840 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
  • Location quotient: 0.72x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
  • Projected growth: 6.6% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)

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New York employs approximately 5,840 lineworkers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $121,280 1. Nationally, lineworker employment is projected to grow 6.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 10,700 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Lineworker in New York, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
  • Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
  • Median wage (New York): $121,280 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Lineworker in New York

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

How long does it take? 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 do lineworkers earn in New York? The median annual wage for lineworkers in New York is $121,280 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $58,740 and experienced professionals can earn $141,160 or more 1.

How to Become a Lineworker in New York

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

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

Contact Information:

  • Office: Apprenticeship Training Unit, New York State Department of Labor
  • Address: State Campus Building, Albany, NY 12240
  • Phone: (518) 457-4497
  • Email: [email protected]

Lineworker Wages by Metro Area in New York

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

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
New York-Newark-Jersey City3,850$122,480$110,670$58,540$148,740
Albany-Schenectady-Troy460$127,580$110,240$63,190$131,550
Rochester310$105,110$98,570$58,770$127,750
Buffalo-Cheektowaga270$109,350$105,990$66,620$130,780
Syracuse250$124,970$111,230$76,060$131,650
Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh240$135,400$120,740$71,500$137,900
Utica-Rome120$123,700$105,580$61,740$127,230
Binghamton100$127,170$115,030$81,270$133,730
Watertown-Fort Drum50$104,410$103,280$67,520$134,290

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 .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for lineworkers in New York? New York currently employs approximately 5,840 lineworkers 1. Nationally, lineworker employment is projected to grow 6.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.

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

How much do lineworkers earn in New York compared to the national average? The median annual wage for lineworkers in New York is $121,280, which is $28,720 above the national median of $92,560 according to BLS data 1.

In New York

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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


  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. New York Office of Apprenticeship: https://www.labor.ny.gov/apprenticeship/sponsor/index.shtm ↩︎

Data sources

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

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)