Distribution Troubleshooter

Also called: Troubleman, First Responder Lineworker, Service Lineworker

A solo lineworker who is first on the scene when the power goes out, finding the problem and fixing it or calling in a crew.

A day in the life

At 2 a.m. you get a call that a neighborhood is dark. You drive your bucket truck around until you find a blown fuse on a pole, replace it, and the houses light up. Most days are a string of these puzzles across your district.

Pay over a career

Starting
$65k
Typical
$95k
High
$130k

Estimated from BLS electrical power-line installers; overtime adds a lot.

Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.

Training

Apprenticeship, about 4 years after high school. Journeyman lineworker card (3-4 year apprenticeship) plus several years of experience.

Ways in: Apprenticeship. Training cost: Get paid while you train.

Majors to look at: Electrical Lineworker Program (trade school).

Outlook

Growing faster than average (about 7% over 10 years). Electrical power-line installers and repairers.

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Low risk for 10 years. Smart sensors point to the fault faster, but driving out at 2 a.m. to find and fix it alone stays human.

Start now, in high school

Classes: Physics, Electrical CTE class, Weight training.

Official data: O*NET occupation 49-9051.

More Electric Grid & Power Utilities careers

Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.