The next time you see a power line, know that a power lineman installs, repairs or maintains those wires. Power linemen climb to great heights with the purpose of erecting poles or transmission towers. Though the job can be dangerous, power linemen require years of training and some classroom study to become qualified, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. According to O*Net, a website sponsored by the Department of Labor, power linemen are also known as power-line installers and repairers.

National Salary

As of May 2009, the mean hourly wage for electrical power-line installers and repairers was $26.86 and the mean annual wage, or average salary, was $55,860, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Starting Salary

The PayScale website lists the starting salary of journeymen linemen, another name for electrical power-line installers and repairers, according to O*Net Online. In October 2010, the starting salary for journeymen linemen was between $39,000 and $67,500.

High-Employment Industries

As of May 2009, the electric power generation, transmission and distribution industry employed the largest number of electrical power-line installers and repairers with an average salary of $59,100, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Other industries that employed large numbers and their average salaries were: utility system construction, $50,080; the local government, $54,700; building equipment contractors, $54,340; and natural gas distribution, $78,770.

Top-Paying Employers

The natural gas distribution industry paid the highest average salary above all other employers to electrical power-line installers and repairers with $78,770, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Other employers that offered high pay and their average annual salaries were: the Federal executive branch, $67,250; facilities support services, $60,310; pipeline transportation of natural gas, $59,840; and electric power generation, transmission and distribution, $59,100.

Top-Paying States

California had the highest average salary above all other states for electrical power-line installers and repairers with $76,800, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Other states that had high average salaries were: Oregon, with $74,440; Alaska, with $71,000; New York, with $70,780; and Hawaii, with $70,480.