How much do power-line workers make in Ohio in 2026?

The median Ohio power-line worker earns $93,150 a year, which works out to roughly $44.78 an hour based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. That's the midpoint — half the workers in the state earn more, half earn less. If you're just starting out or working in a lower-demand area, expect to land closer to the 25th percentile at $73,510 annually ($35.34/hr). Experienced lineworkers with seniority, specialized skills, or positions in higher-cost metro areas push into the 75th percentile at $104,200 a year ($50.10/hr).

That $30,690 spread between the 25th and 75th percentile isn't just a number — it represents roughly 15 years of career progression for most lineworkers. The jump from entry-level to journeyman typically accounts for the bulk of that move from the low end to the median, while additional certifications, years of journeyman experience, and employer type push workers into the upper quartile.

Ohio's geography plays a real role in pay. The Columbus metro, Cleveland metro, and Cincinnati area tend to concentrate utility infrastructure work and have more large employers competing for skilled lineworkers. Rural cooperative territories and smaller municipal utilities can pay differently from investor-owned utilities operating in dense corridors. If you're weighing job offers, compare not just base wages but also overtime availability, which varies significantly by employer and service territory.

Overtime is a serious income driver in this trade. Power-line workers respond to outages regardless of hour, weather, or season. Ice storms, wind events, and summer heat waves push significant overtime into the paycheck. A worker at the median base of $93,150 who logs 200 hours of overtime in a year — paid at 1.5x — adds roughly $12,900 on top of base pay. Workers who travel for storm restoration work can see even larger figures, though that income isn't reflected in the BLS survey data, which captures straight-time and regular earnings.

The BLS OEWS figures behind these numbers come from May 2025 survey data covering employers across Ohio. The survey captures wages paid directly by employers and does not include per diem, travel pay, tool allowances, or other non-wage compensation. It also won't show the full picture for workers who pick up significant overtime or storm pay. Take the percentile figures as a strong baseline, not an absolute ceiling.

Getting into this trade in Ohio typically runs through a multi-year apprenticeship, often four to five years, combining on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Apprentice wages start below the 25th percentile and step up at regular intervals. Completing an apprenticeship and earning journeyman status is the single biggest move most lineworkers will make in terms of base pay.

Some Ohio lineworkers are covered by collective bargaining agreements, and if you're working under a union contract, your pay and benefits are set by that agreement — check directly with your local for the current scale and benefit package. The numbers on this page reflect the full mix of union and non-union workers across Ohio employers and should be used as context, not a substitute for your actual contract terms.

Raising your pay beyond the 75th percentile generally means taking on foreman or crew lead responsibilities, moving into substation or transmission work that carries additional hazard and technical requirements, or building a track record with a utility that rewards tenure with step increases. Some lineworkers also move into safety, training, or inspection roles where their field experience commands a premium. The path isn't mysterious — it's time in the trade, demonstrated competence, and positioning yourself where the work is most demanding and the employer pool is deepest.