Also called: Hot Wash Technician, Insulator Washer
Sprays purified water at power-line insulators while the lines stay switched on, washing off salt and dust that can cause sparks and outages.
Before dawn your crew parks a water truck under a 230,000-volt line near the coast. From the bucket you aim a nozzle of specially purified water, which barely conducts electricity, and blast salt crust off each insulator string. A partner watches the distance meter and calls out if you creep too close.
Estimated from utility contractor postings; overtime and storm work add a lot.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. High school diploma, then months of paid crew training; many come from line or tree crews.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Apprenticeship. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Electrical Lineworker Program (trade school), Electrical Technology.
Growing about average. A small specialty used mostly in coastal, desert and farm areas where insulators get dirty.
Low risk for 10 years. Drones may spot dirty insulators, but washing live equipment from a truck stays skilled hands-on work.
Classes: Physics, Shop or welding CTE, PE or weight training.
Official data: O*NET occupation 49-9051.
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.