Looking to learn to be a utility service worker or a power lineman in the state of California?
Wondering about requirements and how to start?
What is a lineworker? Lineworkers are the men and women that keep your power on and your phone lines working. They are the ones who make sure that your internet service is always running and that businesses can stay open. You can find more information on what a lineman is here.
Now is a great time to pursue further education in the field. The median base salary in California for a lineman is $83,000 annually. This article will explain what a good program should include and direct you to some resources to prepare for a line worker career in California.
To become a lineman in the state of California, you have several options for education and training. You can go to your local IBEW and sign the books or start by studying pre-apprenticeship at a career center or community college. No matter how you choose to start your career a few things will give you a leg up on other pre-apprentices.
- Obtain the following certifications: OSHA 10-hour, First Aid/CPR Certification, and at least a Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
- Study basic electrical fundamentals and tools.
- Study for the specific test that you will take at the company you are applying to.
- Practice climbing if possible to see if it is something you can do. Climbing is the number one reason that pre-apprentices don’t continue.
Programs through community colleges and career and technical centers are usually available to be funded through WIOA, Youth Programs, and other reemployment assistance programs.
To enter a program, you will need to pass a DOT Physical and a Drug Screen. Programs through the IBEW (union) will be much longer, but you will be paid as long as you are working.
Electrical Lineman Jobs in California
PG&E is one of the largest employers of utility workers in the Pacific region. The following list is a list of possible entry tests for typical utility workers at PG&E.
- Industrial Skills Test (IST).
- Physical Test Battery (PTB).
- Work Orientation Inventory (WOI).
- Apprentice Electrical Technician Test (ETT).
- Apprentice Telecommunications Technician Test (CTT).
- Assessment for Cable Splicer Progression (ACSP).
- Assessment for Lineworker Progression (ALP).
- Electrician – Steam Generation (ESG).
- Technical Test (TECH).
There is no single “passing score” for most of these general tests. The company that you are applying to will set their own score cutoffs for a given position and depending on the competition the bar could be a little higher so it important to do your very best. You can take practice tests here with the following login information:
Username: pacific
Password: ocean
You can look for jobs here.
Job Outlook for Line workers in California
Over the next decade, it is projected that there will be 8% job growth in the field. There is a great demand for power linemen and telecommunications workers and salaries reflect this. The national average base pay only for lineworkers is $83K annually and with overtime, this can quickly climb above six-figures.
Conclusion
Line work is not for everyone. If you think it’s for you and want to learn more look at what jobs are available. See if you can get some climbing practice in if you know a lineman or get practice at a school.
Looking For Information On Nearby States?
You might also be interested in learning about the options in the surrounding states:
Arizona
Nevada
Oregon