How much do power-line workers make in New Jersey in 2026?

The median pay for a power-line worker in New Jersey is $121,580 a year, which works out to $58.45 an hour based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. That is a strong number by any measure, and it puts New Jersey among the better-paying states for this trade. But the spread across the pay scale tells a more complete story about what workers actually earn at different points in their careers.

At the 25th percentile, power-line workers in New Jersey earn $99,860 a year, or about $48.01 an hour. This is where you typically find workers in the earlier stages of their career — those still building years of service, working under closer supervision, or employed in regions or sectors that pay on the lower end. Clearing that $99,860 floor is still a strong outcome compared to most trades, but it leaves real money on the table compared to what experienced lineworkers take home.

The 75th percentile sits at $123,740 a year, roughly $59.49 an hour. The gap between the median ($121,580) and the 75th percentile ($123,740) is notably tight — only about $2,160 separates the two. That compression suggests a significant concentration of workers in the upper-middle range of the pay scale, which can happen when standardized wage schedules, project labor agreements, or utility company pay bands cluster a large portion of the workforce at similar rates. Breaking into that top tier requires more than just seniority; it usually means accumulating specialized certifications, moving into foreman or crew-lead roles, or landing with employers who pay above standard utility rates.

Power-line work in New Jersey involves installation, maintenance, and repair of the electrical transmission and distribution system — overhead and underground. The job carries serious hazard exposure: high voltage, work at height, and frequent emergency response after storms or outages. The state's dense grid, aging infrastructure, and ongoing capital investment by utilities mean consistent demand for qualified lineworkers.

Overtime is a real factor in this trade. Utility work does not stop at 5 p.m., and storm restoration can mean extended hours — sometimes weeks of 60- to 70-hour schedules following a major event. The BLS figures used here reflect base wages reported to the government and do not include overtime earnings, per diem, hazard pay, or fringe benefits like employer-funded pensions and health coverage. A lineworker pulling significant overtime during a bad storm season will earn materially more than the median base figure suggests.

Geography within New Jersey also plays a role. Workers positioned near the northern part of the state — closer to the New York metro area — may find employers competing harder for skilled labor, which can push wages upward. Utility territories in central and southern New Jersey operate under different cost structures, and compensation may reflect that.

New Jersey does not impose a state-specific licensure requirement for lineworkers in the way it does for electricians, but most workers enter through a formal apprenticeship program that runs several years and combines on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Completing a full apprenticeship is the standard path to journeyman-level pay and is a prerequisite for reaching the upper end of the wage scale. Some workers in this trade are represented by unions; if you work under a collective bargaining agreement, your specific wage rates and benefit package will be spelled out in that agreement — check with your local directly for exact figures.

The data on this page comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2025. BLS collects wages from employer payroll records and represents straight-time pay. It does not capture total compensation, meaning the real economic value of this job — especially for workers with strong benefits and overtime access — is higher than the headline numbers show.