How long does lineworker training take in Washington?

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 Washington?

In Washington, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Washington State of Labor and Industry - 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 Washington (2026)

Q: How much do lineworkers earn in Washington?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), lineworkers in Washington earned a median annual wage of approximately $133,060. Employment concentration in Washington is roughly 0.78 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: What is the job outlook for lineworkers in Washington?

Washington currently employs approximately 2,340 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

Washington electrical power-line installers and repairers earn a median annual wage of $133,060 ($63.97/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 2,340 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 39.6% above the national median of $95,320 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $133,060 ($63.97/hr)
25th percentile: $107,620 per year
75th percentile: $136,850 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $147,810 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $80,640 per year
Workers employed in Washington: 2,340
Versus national median: 39.6% above the U.S. median of $95,320
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.78 - this occupation is less concentrated in Washington than the national average

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

Washington employs about 2,340 lineworkers earning a median $133,060 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most lineworkers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Washington.

Key Facts

Median wage (Washington): $133,060/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in Washington: 2,340 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 0.78x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Projected growth: 6.6% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)

Lineworker Wages by Metro Area in Washington

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

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria	1,530	$95,480	$92,700	$59,000	$124,630
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue	1,010	$134,150	$122,110	$74,570	$151,820
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro	810	$135,300	$125,220	$79,650	$161,180
Spokane-Spokane Valley	210	$127,490	$120,500	$88,130	$135,450
Kennewick-Richland	120	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Wenatchee-East Wenatchee	100	$124,110	$119,340	$94,710	$133,580
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard	60	$86,740	$100,680	$68,910	$134,730
Longview-Kelso	60	$122,240	$120,680	$89,380	$135,450
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater	50	$135,450	$131,820	$101,590	$152,380
Lewiston	30	$126,860	$115,060	$75,190	$135,450
Yakima	30	$119,850	$104,520	$50,860	$134,670

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 (Washington): $133,060 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Lineworker in Washington

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

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 Washington? The median annual wage for lineworkers in Washington is $133,060 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $80,640 and experienced professionals can earn $147,810 or more ¹.

How to Become a Lineworker in Washington

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington

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

Contact Information:

Office: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
Address: 7273 Linderson Way SW, Tumwater, WA 98501-5414
Phone: (360) 902-5320
Email: [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for lineworkers in Washington? Washington currently employs approximately 2,340 lineworkers ¹. Nationally, lineworker employment is projected to grow 6.6% from 2024 to 2034 ².

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

How much do lineworkers earn in Washington compared to the national average? The median annual wage for lineworkers in Washington is $133,060, which is $40,500 above the national median of $92,560 according to BLS data ¹.

In Washington

Best Trade Schools in Washington (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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Washington State of Labor and Industry - Apprenticeship: https://secure.lni.wa.gov/arts-public/#/ ↩︎

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)