LINEMAN
Builds and repairs the high-voltage grid. Climbs poles, rides bucket trucks, works storms. Highest-paid common trade. Wisconsin is a right-to-work state — union density is lower than the national average, but licensed tradespeople still command solid wages on prevailing wage projects.
The License.
Most states issue a journeyman license (allows you to work under a licensed contractor) and a separate master or contractor license (allows you to pull permits and run your own business). The journeyman license typically requires completing your apprenticeship and passing a written exam; the master/contractor license requires additional field hours — usually 2 years as a journeyman — and a separate exam.
Requirements in Wisconsin: confirm current hour and exam requirements directly with Wisconsin Dept. of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). Rules update frequently and our data reflects published standards as of early 2025.
The Money.
Real BLS OEWS 2025 median hourly wages for linemans in Wisconsin — by metro area. Union scale typically runs 20–40% above these medians on prevailing wage projects.
| Metro area | Median hourly | Approx. annual |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee | $52.4/hr | $104,800 |
| Green Bay | $51.93/hr | $103,860 |
| La Crosse | $51.64/hr | $103,280 |
| Appleton | $51.62/hr | $103,240 |
| Minneapolis | $51.37/hr | $102,740 |
| Fond du Lac | $50.11/hr | $100,220 |
| Madison | $50.11/hr | $100,220 |
| Janesville | $49.79/hr | $99,580 |
| Oshkosh | $49.78/hr | $99,560 |
| Duluth | $48.88/hr | $97,760 |
| National median (BLS) | $46.28/hr | $92,560 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. These are median wages across all workers (union and non-union). Year 1 apprentice: $50,000–$76,000/yr. Journeyman top of scale: $96,000–$150,000/yr.
Wisconsin is a right-to-work state. Union scale in major Wisconsin metros typically runs 10–20% above the national median on public projects with prevailing wage requirements; non-union pay can run 15–30% below union scale on private work.
The Path.
In Wisconsin, apprenticeships are administered through the federal RAPIDS system via the U.S. Department of Labor. To find registered programs, go to apprenticeship.gov and filter by state. Most joint apprenticeship training committees (JATCs) also accept direct applications.
- · IBEW (outside construction branch)
The Exam.
Most states use the NEC (National Electrical Code) as the basis for the journeyman and master electrician exam. Wisconsin may be on a different NEC edition than the current one — confirm which edition before you study. Pass rates vary significantly: some states run 50–60% first-time pass rates, others run higher. PSI Exams and Prometric administer most state electrical exams. Bring your NEC codebook (tabbed) where allowed. Note: prevailing wage rules in Wisconsin apply primarily to public projects — private-sector jobs in this right-to-work state are exempt.
Be honest about pass rates. Many licensing boards do not publish them. When they do, first-time pass rates for journeyman exams in the trades typically run 50–75%. Preparation time varies — most serious candidates spend 60–120 hours on exam prep. Use code books from the correct edition, not what's currently in print.
What recruiters won't tell you.
- 01Fatality rate is in the top 10 of all US occupations. This is not a marketing line.
- 02Pre-apprenticeship lineman programs (Northwest Lineman College, etc.) cost $7K–$20K and don't guarantee work.
- 03Storm work is mandatory in most utility contracts. Holidays are not protected.
- 04CDL is functionally required even when 'not required' on paper.