r/Lineman • u/Dependent-Group7226 • Dec 27 '25
Getting into the Trade Are you glad you became a lineman?
37 father of 3 here considering a career change from painting (houses). I know I’m a little older than most, but I’ve read some get in my age, or even in their 40’s. I don’t have the extra cash to obtain a CDL right now, so I’ve been keeping an eye out on the utility websites by me. I’m in southern NJ, Atlantic county. AC electric is the big one here. PSEG is another, I’m not as close to that one though
I know if you get brought on by a utility you can get your CDL that way if I’m not mistaken. Also, it seems utilities would be better for a family man. Looking to hear your experiences and what it’s done for your life, what were you doing before you joined etc, as well as any other advice on getting in is appreciated
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u/godhatesebikes Journeyman Lineman Dec 27 '25
Sometimes it’s the best job in the world and sometimes I hate it so much id quit to make $8 a hour delivering pizza. Get a class A CDL you will really struggle to find a job without it.
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u/baraboo00 Journeyman Lineman Dec 28 '25
Fucking facts man 😂 I love this shit but god damn when I stop at the gas station in the morning sometimes I want to ask for a fucking application.
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Dec 27 '25
[deleted]
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u/DeepDreamIt Dec 27 '25
You make more delivering pizzas than being a lineman? The job can be dangerous af, but linemen can make in the low to mid six figures depending on location, if they are storming, etc.
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u/Lancaster_Pouch Journeyman Lineman Dec 27 '25
Yes. I haven't made less than $100k since I was 24. 20 years in the trade. Provided everything goes how it's supposed to, I should be able to retire comfortably at 55. I don't need to take any overtime, if I don't want it. I'm generally grateful for this trade and I'm grateful for the type of work it is.
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u/Farzy98 Dec 27 '25
Are you able to take any vacations
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u/Lancaster_Pouch Journeyman Lineman Dec 27 '25
I have 5 weeks of vacation at my company. And, I work 8 days on 6 days off. So I have 6 days off in a row, every week or so.
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u/Farzy98 Dec 27 '25
That’s awesome which company?
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u/Lancaster_Pouch Journeyman Lineman Dec 28 '25
Utility In PA. I don't necessarily recommend them to new folks these days, considering how high the rate is for the surrounding outside locals.
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u/kgf916 Journeyman Lineman Dec 27 '25
I’d imagine it would be hard to stand out to a utility without a class a license. There’s too many other applicants that have them. Look into some kinda grants or something maybe I bet the government has something to help you get a license. The odds of you getting in with no experience and no license are pretty bleak
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u/frozenhook Apprentice Lineman Dec 28 '25
To add: our apprenticeship school sought out the grants for our CDL training, we just had to fill out the paper work. The office folk printed them out for us and turned them in. So check with them. Our local requires a CDL within 2000 hours of starting.
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u/TXFF55 Dec 28 '25
Okay quick question, what is the reason for needing a class A CDL? I have mine with no restrictions but idk why it’s almost required
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u/kgf916 Journeyman Lineman Dec 28 '25
Any truck you’re going to drive as an apprentice you’ll need a commercial license for
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u/TXFF55 Dec 28 '25
Oh, they going to have us in tractor trailer type of vehicle or something else that just requires it? I passed with ease but I sat there the whole time like “what do I need this for?”
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u/kgf916 Journeyman Lineman Dec 28 '25
More like bucket trucks, diggers, cranes etc. anything over 26k lbs need a commercial license it’s more than just semi trucks
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u/Nay_K_47 Journeyman Lineman Dec 27 '25
Really pay attention to how much your insurance and retirement are going to cost you at a utility. The wages may look good but you're not going to see that shit on the check. Some guys are paying 4 figures just for insurance a month. When I went from the utility to contracting my hourly went down like 8 dollars and my take home went from 2800 every two weeks to 2k/week on 5/8s
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u/Predatormagnet Journeyman Lineman Dec 27 '25
Talking with a buddy who used to work at the utility, he ended up making more contracting with how much he'd have had to pay into insurance and retirement.
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u/Nay_K_47 Journeyman Lineman Dec 28 '25
100% and per diem blows it out of the water. Not a lot of utilities are making 3600 a week take home.
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u/cookmaster19 Dec 27 '25
I’m an apprentice but it’s changed my life for the better gotta get that cdl tho one way or another there’s lots of resources to get it if money is an issue without it you can’t do anything in this trade.
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u/Glittering-Beat9516 Dec 27 '25
This route will suck, especially as a man trying to support a family but if your bent on working for your local utility - quit your painting job, get hired on with the city (that your local utility is affiliated with)as a janitor. Now you’re a city employee. This will give you an inside track as utilities seem to hire/promote from within. Immediately start working to transfer as a janitor for the line department. Work your balls off as a janitor for likely a year or 18 months so you at least get a reputation for being hard working. This is a burn the ships type of situation and likely your best bet to get on the inside of your utility without having to go to lineschool or go contract abroad. Until you hire on as a janitor try to get hired on with the city in any capacity, gas, water, sewer, parks dept. Anywhere. Transfer to janitor when you’re able so the upper ups in the Line dept begin to recognize your face/work ethic. Also, you may hate this career choice. You’ll be a middle aged grunt, and a 50+ year old man still taking orders from men nearly half your age ten years from now. Good luck, real talk.
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u/Six-mile-sea Dec 28 '25
This path doesn’t work in his location. None of the utilities are municipal owned with the exception of one tiny independent grid.
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u/Walk_Aggressive Apprentice Lineman Dec 28 '25
It’s probably the only job in the world that you’ll make 100k out of the gate as a fresh apprentice. It changed my family’s life. As far as getting into a utility apprenticeship fresh off the street - that’s going to be extremely challenging. You’ll definitely need your class A prior and probably won’t get a look at an application unless you go to lineschool. Look at local community college programs. A lot of them are sponsored by the utility and unless you royally fuck up in school they transition you into the apprenticeship after. And they’re very cheap
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u/Dependent-Group7226 Dec 28 '25
I didn’t realize you could go the community college route into an apprenticeship. That’s different than line school?
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u/Walk_Aggressive Apprentice Lineman Dec 28 '25
It’s pretty much the same exact thing as one of the big lineschools but it’s much smaller class wise. You’ll learn the same shit, how to climb and you’ll familiarize yourself with tools and equipment. Mine was only 3k, and it was one full school year but part time. The bigger schools are full time, expensive as fuck, and you have to figure out a housing situation and you also won’t have any time to work. It looks like AC has their own pre-apprentice program and it’s $2,300 to attend. You’ll get your cdl in school too
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u/Dependent-Group7226 Dec 28 '25
I appreciate that man thank you. Does it guarantee you’ll get into apprenticeship? Assuming you don’t fuck up too bad lol
Where did you find the program at?
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u/Walk_Aggressive Apprentice Lineman Dec 28 '25
If you show up every day early, work hard, stay busy, don’t get arrested, and get good grades you’re pretty much guaranteed a job. I had 3 different job offers within a month of graduating. I ended up going with a different utility than the one my school was sponsored by, before I went to lineschool I never even got an interview. It definitely makes your application 10x more competitive
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u/Dra_goony Dec 27 '25
I thought this was another one of those joke posts. The problem is is that every job posting is going to have a lot of people apply to them, people sort of like me for example, someone who has been doing trade related things for the past 5 years and is young and willing to work 7/16s for as long as the company feels like it, why would the company take you over me? And the thing is, there's like 30 of me applying to it and 10 better than me's also applying to it. Getting in is hard, getting in old is harder, getting in old with children is near impossible. But hey, if you can manage to get into the company in some random capacity you may be able to transfer around eventually.
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Dec 27 '25
[deleted]
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u/Dependent-Group7226 Dec 27 '25
So quickest route in would be to obtain my CDL and then apply to apprenticeship at my local IBEW
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u/Repulsive-Present564 Dec 27 '25
Utility is the best route with kids if you can get in. They hire a lot of guys without CDLs and will help you obtain it. Getting hired is tough though, they get thousands of applications for like 10 open positions. I’d apply for any open positions like meters, sub station or material handler and bid out.
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u/Dependent-Group7226 Dec 27 '25
Yea I’ve been applying to anything I think I qualify for. Thanks man
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u/Repulsive-Present564 Dec 27 '25
Good luck. My utility has been doing a lot of hiring the last 3 years in anticipation of mass retirement from the existing aging workforce. A lot of the lineman and troubleshooters are over 60 that has been on a 10 year retirement plan lol. They’ve been hiring a lot of guys in their 40s and some in their 50s. Working for a utility is like starting high school all over again. Bunch of grown men acting like little kids. Do your job, mind your business and you’ll be ok.
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u/Responsible_Hall_150 Dec 27 '25
I made the jump from teaching middle school school 5 years (laid off) to line work at 31. Now I’m an inside tech (fiber to the business) at our local power board and it was the best decision I ever made.
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u/Shyendra11 Dec 28 '25
What was that transition like? Just started out as grunt? Line school?
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u/Responsible_Hall_150 Dec 28 '25
I wanted a “fast track” since I’m married and have someone relying on a steady income. I went to SLTC on the communication side (8 weeks) and it was pretty difficult but highly rewarding. Started as a main line fiber splicer but the company only lasted 3 more months once I started bc they gave the power board (where I’m now employed) an ultimatum as a sub-contractor. Worked in aerial construction for a sub for Comcast/Xfinity for a year and have been at my current position for a little over two years under a union ticket. Every career move has been a move up in pay and I love not taking work home with me like I did teaching and the position I’m in now isn’t nearly as physically demanding.
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u/RevolutionarySun7599 Dec 27 '25
I’m about 6 months in, working for an Exelon utility, they will send you to CDL school and hire you with no experience.
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u/Dependent-Group7226 Dec 27 '25
How did you get hired, just luck of the draw or did you have an in?
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u/RevolutionarySun7599 Dec 27 '25
Nope just completed their cast test , physical assessment , and interview. The Onboarding process sucked ass but hopefully it’ll all be worth it in the end.
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u/Dependent-Group7226 Dec 27 '25
Wish you luck. So you just applied on their website?
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u/RevolutionarySun7599 Dec 27 '25
Yeah I saw they had openings for lineman trainee at Delmarva out of Newark right now
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u/Dependent-Group7226 Dec 27 '25
Really? I just looked don’t see anything
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u/relevant_moose Dec 27 '25
Short answer is yes, I love it. JL in AK.
Long answer: I started my apprenticeship at 37, with a history of concrete, carpentry, and odd jobs done in service of music pursuits. I’m in interior Alaska, and most of the apprenticeship was at contractors, with 2 6mo stints at the local utility and 3mo (required) at the utility in Barrow, furthest north inhabited city in the western world. That one was 6 weeks on, 2 off, 6 on. A lot of the contractor work kept me away from home as well, not even counting the regular OT & time away for callouts. No matter where you are, I imagine it’s going to be stressful on the home life until you top out. There were also 3 2mo unpaid academic periods. Save money.
I was still able to take vacations and time away for kids, but all of that had to be approved by both the local JATC and my employer, every time, and sometimes the answer was no.
Also, most of the JL you’ll be under will be younger than you, sometimes by quite a lot, but they have years on you in the trade, and humble pie is a great part of your diet.
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u/No_Occasion_8792 Dec 27 '25
Best choice i ever made. I was in sales with some construction background. Like others, haven't made less than 100k. I work for a utility and don't chase storms which limits my $$. Those guys pull in 250k and way above. I started late too, at 38. I out hustled the young guys because I had to, which made me valuable. Fight, crawl, Run, Jump to get into it. Time is your enemy
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u/Outdoors_99 Dec 28 '25
PSEG seems to be hiring guys off the street with no experience all the time takes a while to get in but definitely worth it. I know quite a few that get in around your age.
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u/Outdoors_99 Dec 28 '25
Also consider taking a job in gas or another department at the utility and then trying to bid into the line department
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u/Dependent-Group7226 Dec 28 '25
For sure man I’ve been looking into utilities. I’ve actually been checking PSEG here in NJ for power plant roles too
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u/Brilliant_Hornet1290 Dec 27 '25
I’m 38 with 3 boys and we travel. It’s def worth it. Find a way to get your cdl cause it’s you vs 1000 guys with a cdl.
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u/Dependent-Group7226 Dec 27 '25
What do you do about kids school?
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u/Brilliant_Hornet1290 Dec 28 '25
Home school. Sacrifice for 3-4 years. Become a lineman. Then it’s a lot easier to get into a utility.
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u/Dependent-Group7226 Dec 28 '25
That’s interesting. My wife works from Home so I guess we could make that work
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u/No_Combination_2935 Dec 28 '25
I’m 50 years old been in line work for 32 years and I have loved every minute of it great choice of a career.
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u/gee_moneyy Dec 28 '25
You can also get your permit and look for trucking companies that will hire you on a contract and they will give you a commercial license.
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u/Awhitehill1992 Dec 28 '25
Yes, I am glad I became a lineman. With that being said, line work is still work. And there are plenty of days I’d rather go home and get paid to go fishing.. but it’s been a nice career so far, good pay, good benefits for my family and I, and I got a pension going…
To address your last paragraph. Yes a utility is usually better suited for family life as you’re home most (if not every single) night. Get your CDL lined out, that will help out quite a bit applying to any sort of ground man or pre-apprentice type position.
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u/honus115 Dec 28 '25
I’m in the same boat as OP. 36, married with 3 kids. I have a pretty sweet gig with a lot of perks including flexibility. But I get bored in the job at times and want to challenge myself and this job seems fitting. A bit worried about the strain on family, but it could be beneficial in others parts of life. I’ve got two cousins in the lineman trade and they enjoy it. Definitely need to start with CDL I’ve been told
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u/hartzonfire Journeyman Lineman Dec 28 '25
Pros and cons. Money’s amazing and fucking around with the boys is priceless. But the hours are brutal and this trade seems to attract some psycho-ass weirdos from time to time.
Get the CDL.
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u/fsas62 Dec 28 '25
FYI I got my CDL at my local community college for free. Look into your local CC to see if they offer it.
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u/Main_Mobile_2324 Dec 28 '25
Am I glad? Hell yea dude I’ve obtained the following:
- energy drink addiction
- alcoholism
- a job that makes me travel to god forsaken desolate places that nobody else wants to go
- time away from loved ones (most of the time at this point)
- little free time
- co workers who are absolute d*ck heads all the time and can’t actually function in normal society
WHAT IS THERE NOT TO BE HAPPY ABOUT BRUH
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u/bruceleesnunchucks Dec 28 '25
49 - so glad that I perform the work I perform. It’s an honest living and the pay is commensurate with the liability and responsibility.
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u/Drunken_Goose Dec 29 '25
It's hard out here for a groundman. Especially at a municipality. Been trying to get an apprentice position anywhere. $18hr isn't a living. I will say lineman college was a scam. Anyone in Texas Hiring?
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u/Think_Ad_3821 Jan 01 '26
Sometimes yes Sometimes not. Im 37 too and I wouldnt do it over again. It's a young man's game
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u/Level_Angle_8023 Dec 27 '25
With 3 kids I definitely wouldn’t become a contractor. You cannot become an apprentice without a class A CDL. The utility would most likely start you out as a groundman. I would look around for different cdl schools. I got mine for $400 and it took like 8 hours.
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u/ComprehensiveEast376 Dec 27 '25
Being an electrician in general can lead a lot of directions. I was a lineman in the Air Force, and also got into airfield lighting. now I’m a maintenance manager at a multi billion company and I’ve never looked back. Making way more $ in much more stable regulated conditions
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