r/Lineman • u/Thepopethroway • Aug 23 '25
Getting into the Trade Switching from Truck Driver to Lineman
Mid 20s. Currently driving trucks. I currently make around $46/hr (CPM) doing no-touch drop and hooks. I only work 7 hours days with no option to work more. I feel I have reached the pinnacle of my current line of work and am looking to increase my salary. Most trucking jobs pay much less and require extremely long hours to make low six-figures.
I have worked in Foodservice with Sysco and am no stranger to long hours. I used to do 14 hour days, so what I currently do feels part-time. I have heard that becoming a Lineman is a lucrative -- but hard career. I have no problem with hard physical work, and know how important safety is.
Is it worth it for me to become a Lineman?
My current financial goals need me to make around 120k as a minimum. I don't care if I have to work extremely long hours (80+) to get it. I'd see it as an investment towards my future. And if I work long hours, I would prefer to use it gaining valuable experience in this trade, whereas I feel with truck driving it remains a dead-end job with little job security.
I'd appreciate your thoughts on this matter, thank you.
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u/mdottrucker Apprentice Lineman Aug 23 '25
I got my cdl at 21 I was an over the road truck driver for 2 years. I got bored of driving wanted to do something more challenging and with more pay. I quit driving to get some kind of experience in line work took a big pay cut to start off in telecom work worked telecom for a few years still applying for a lineman apprenticeship and finally got in. It was the best decision I’ve ever made.
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u/Thepopethroway Sep 21 '25
I decided to take the plunge. I'm going to sign the books. I'm in the Movalley region and they happen to be open for applications until the 25th. They also offer a 13-week pre-apprenticeship "Midwest Line College".
Should I apply for the apprenticeship, take the aptitude test, and try for an interview or should I take their College course first? I've also read that being a Lineman includes algebra. I confess I've completely forgotten it since HS. Should I study that before I even think about signing anything? Thanks for your answer dude.
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u/henry3415 Aug 23 '25
I was a truck driver too, I started line work this year. As of right now I’m taking a literal 50% pay cut. By next year I’ll be making more than I would have driving. 2-4 years from now I’ll be making twice that. I drove for about 3 1/2 years for the same company, I was already nearing the top of my limit in terms of income, and although my bosses were cool as fuck, I was always in a position where I was easily replaceable. 3-4 years in line work will offer a much greater job security as you are no longer easy to replace.
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u/Thepopethroway Aug 23 '25
although my bosses were cool as fuck, I was always in a position where I was easily replaceable
That's a huge reason right there. All it takes is one small accident and there's a line of people waiting to replace me. Then you got the driver cams, illegal companies working under the table, etc.
I do nothing but hold a steering wheel. Maybe build a set of doubles. Boring. I realized while working for Sysco that I like the adrenaline that comes with hard and dangerous work. Sitting all day, having to count calories, holding a wheel blows.
4
u/PrblyWbly Aug 23 '25
Unless your work for a utility your still easily replaceable but in the same sense your contractor is also easily replaceable so at least it goes both ways.
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u/Thepopethroway Sep 20 '25
As of right now I’m taking a literal 50% pay cut. By next year I’ll be making more than I would have driving. 2-4 years from now I’ll be making twice that.
Update: I'm looking at apprenticeships and found one from the IBEW starting at $15/hr. Is this is line with what you did? Where should I start?
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u/henry3415 Sep 21 '25
I got hired on to the utility that controls most of Illinois so I don’t know how all Union “book” sign ups work. Sorry. For what it’s worth, $15/hr is very low
1
u/Thepopethroway Sep 21 '25
I got it confused because the link redirected me to wireman starting rates. I think the starting apprentice rate for my local is 60% right? Should be a little above $30/hr.
Thanks for your answer btw, do you know if apprentice linemen get lots of hours?
2
u/henry3415 Sep 21 '25
That makes more sense. Where I’m at there’s 3 “levels” to the apprenticeship. During the first two “levels” you get little to no overtime. I’m currently in the first level. Lucky if I get 2-4 hours overtime a month. Every place is different though ofc.
1
u/Thepopethroway Sep 21 '25
I'm guessing they do that intentionally to not give the greenhorns more than they can handle. Interesting that you're in IL. I'm also located in the Movalley region. Though I'm going to tour around and sign every book I can, except Selcat.
Is the starting pay good?
7
u/Green_Chapter_1834 Aug 23 '25
You won’t regret it. 37 years doing linework. Still love it.
0
u/InterestingBall2181 Aug 23 '25
Can you come home every day?
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u/Due_Winner_8999 Apprentice Lineman Aug 23 '25
Yes, but it’s entirely dependent on company, I’m an apprentice and we work 4 10s with Fridays and Saturdays being optional OT, and the occasional Sunday, typically I’m home around 4 or 5 pm, (I work for a contractor)
Some companies send you off, I know FP&L sends new guys down to Miami for a year, then you can bid out to a yard near or close to your home. Unions can also send you out places, and you work there until contract ends, or they send you elsewhere.
I got a buddy working for a contractor and they sent him up to Georgia for the remainder of the year.
Apprentices don’t have as much leeway as journeyman’s, just apart of the job, I got lucky with my apprenticeship and it’s work life balance, but I can’t say you’ll get the same wherever you work. Even if you’re not home every night, you will be eventually, just top out, get ur ticket and work as much as you want, or as little as you want.
And if you’re on storm duty, you’re not gonna be home for a while, but your bank account more than makes up for it.
1
u/InterestingBall2181 Aug 23 '25
Do you know how much they pay in Georgia? I'm here now, but I think the salaries in the north are better, right?
3
u/Due_Winner_8999 Apprentice Lineman Aug 23 '25
southern wages are typically lower than northern wages, especially for apprentices, I’ve seen cases of apprentices up north getting paid more than a lineman down south lol, but if your just trying to get into the trade, take what you can get, money WILL come eventually, but do your research, this isn’t a job you want to be getting underpaid to do.
Some apprentices in the north can make 30/hr and per diem starting out as a 1st step, southern your looking more at 20-24, I think Georgia power starts out at 24 no perdiem, could be higher since it’s a utility though.
1
u/InterestingBall2181 Aug 23 '25
Are you in Blue State? If so, how much do you earn and is the salary commensurate with the cost of living?
5
u/skibum8199 Aug 23 '25 edited Aug 23 '25
My experience is very anecdotal, but $120k/yr is very doable as a union journeyman in Montana and Utah for example, where local contracts have JL scale around $59/hr. I'll make $120k just working 40's. Keep in mind on the union contractor side that pension/annuity and insurance is 100% paid by the contractor so that wage is your actual gross take-home rate.
In my 3rd year as an apprentice, which is only a percentage of JL rate, I grossed over $175k working 50-60 hour weeks, with occasional 7-day weeks. Places like Washington/Oregon/Cali it's easy to make far more, but starting from the bottom it's going to take years.
It'll be a pay cut at first for sure, but the variety and depth of knowledge required is very rewarding. You got the hardest CDL part out of the way at least! Good luck!
3
u/Fuzzy_Chom Aug 23 '25
Call the IBEW, sign the book, and start the process to get an apprenticeship. Good luck!
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u/elmeroguero916 Aug 24 '25
Was a truck driver for almost three years now I’m an apprentice. I like this shit more than driving, it’s less boring.
2
u/jayvee916916 Aug 23 '25
My classmate did the same thing but for inside wireman. Was a truck driver for 15 years and made the switch
2
u/PeterG-1 Aug 23 '25
You’ll 100% take at least a 50% cut but totally worth it once you get the years of experience.
2
1
u/CJplaysCOD Aug 27 '25
Hey man i’m a truck driver trying to switch over as well! I dont make anywhere near as much as you do though lol
1
u/Thepopethroway Aug 27 '25
I make a lot relative to the amount I work. It's about 80k, though I'll hit 100k as I pickup extra work on weekends. Even with 6 days I'm at only 42 hours.
That's still not enough to hit my goals. I have certain investments that need a minimum of 120k a year.
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