Electrical Power-Line Worker Apprenticeship in California

Wages, programs & career outlook

Electrical power-line workers install and repair the high-voltage lines that carry electricity from power plants to homes and businesses. Expect outdoor work in all weather, bucket trucks, climbing gear, and being on call for storm-damage restoration.

CA Median Salary
$122,520/yr
+32% vs. national
National Median
$92,560/yr
CA Employment
11,070
Electrical Power-Line Workers employed
CA Sponsors
11
Registered programs
Training Term
3.5 yrs
Time-Based
Job Growth
6.6%
2024–2034 projected
Annual Openings
10,700
Nationally, per yr

Electrical Power-Line Worker Apprenticeship in California: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered electrical power-line worker apprenticeship in California combines paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Programs typically run 3.5 years and follow a time-based structure. You earn wages from day one — apprentices are employees, not students.

California pay vs. national

Median electrical power-line worker wages in California are $122,520/year, +32% above the national median of $92,560. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

California has 11 registered apprenticeship sponsors for electrical power-line worker listed in the U.S. Department of Labor's apprenticeship.gov directory. The sponsor list further down includes joint labor-management programs (JATCs), individual employers, and contractor associations.

Job-market outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6.6% job growth for electrical power-line workers nationally between 2024 and 2034, with approximately 10,700 annual openings each year (replacement plus growth combined). Apprenticeship demand tends to track local construction and infrastructure spending — California-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

California Wage Spread

Annual wages for Electrical Power-Line Workers in California across all experience levels.

10th pct
$67,690
Median
$122,520
90th pct
$160,860
Middle 50% of workers earn $85,090$148,550

Current Electrical Power-Line Worker Apprenticeship Openings in California

No electrical power-line worker apprenticeship openings are currently listed on apprenticeship.gov for California. The sponsors listed below accept applications on a rolling basis — contact them directly. Consider setting up an alert on apprenticeship.gov to be notified when new listings are posted.

Listings aggregated from apprenticeship.gov (US Dept. of Labor). Data refreshed daily.

Electrical Power-Line Worker Apprenticeship Sponsors in California

11 electrical power-line worker-related registered sponsors identified in the DOL ApprenticeshipUSA directory for California. Directory lists sponsor names only — contact each organization directly to confirm current electrical power-line worker apprenticeship openings.

Organization City County
IRBY CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LINE ERECTORS APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM Brawley
CITY OF BURBANK LINE MECHANIC J.A.C. Burbank
CITY OF GLENDALE - ELECTRICAL LINE MECHANIC J A C Glendale
PASADENA WATER AND POWER DEPARTMENT POWER UTILITY ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION MECHANIC J.A.C. Pasadena
CAL-NEV POWER LINEMAN J.A.T.C. Riverside
CALIFORNIA NV LINE JATC Riverside Riverside County
Southern California Edison Apprenticeship Program Rosemead Los Angeles County
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) Sacramento Sacramento County
PACIFIC GAS & ELECTRIC COMPANY San Ramon
Liberty Utilities South Lake Tahoe El Dorado County
Truckee Donner Public Utility District JATC Truckee Nevada County
Search apprenticeship.gov for current Electrical Power-Line Worker openings

Filter by occupation code 49-9051 and state CA for the most relevant results.

Electrical Power-Line Worker Apprenticeship in California

Program availability in California is moderate: 11 Electrical Power-Line Worker-related sponsors in our directory. Candidates in major cities will find multiple options; those in smaller markets may need to commute or relocate within the state.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Electrical Power-Line Workers earn in California?
The median annual wage for Electrical Power-Line Workers in California is $122,520 as of May 2024. Wages range from $67,690 at the 10th percentile to $160,860 at the 90th percentile.
How many years does it take to become an Electrical Power-Line Worker through apprenticeship?
The standard Electrical Power-Line Worker apprenticeship is 4 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom education. Some programs offer accelerated paths for candidates with prior experience.
Should I do an Electrical Power-Line Worker apprenticeship or go to trade school?
Apprenticeships offer paid training with no tuition, while trade school requires upfront costs but may be shorter. Many Electrical Power-Line Workers combine both — starting with trade school basics before entering an apprenticeship.
How do I find an Electrical Power-Line Worker apprenticeship in California?
Contact one of the 11 Electrical Power-Line Worker-adjacent registered sponsors in California (listed below), or search apprenticeship.gov for current openings. Local union halls, community colleges, and the state apprenticeship agency are good first stops.
How much do Electrical Power-Line Worker apprentices earn?
Yes. Apprentices earn wages from day one, typically starting at 40–60% of the journeyman rate (roughly $61,260/yr in California). Wages increase at regular intervals — usually every 6 months — as you progress through the program.

Prefer Trade School Instead?

Apprenticeships pay from day one, but the classroom-first path may fit better for some. Electrical Power-Line Workers also train through trade school programs — shorter timeline, more upfront cost.

Compare Electrical and Power Transmission Installers programs in California →
Or see all 188 programs nationwide.

Electrical Power-Line Worker in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in California

Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2024, DOL RAPIDS Registered Apprenticeship database, ApprenticeshipUSA Sponsor Directory.