Prevailing Wage for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
Prevailing wages for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers are set by the DOL across four experience levels, and the floor shifts significantly depending on where the work is performed. Whether your offer letter says Electrical Lineman, Lineworker, or Class Rubber Gloving Lineman, the same SOC 49-9051 wage floor applies to sponsored positions.
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Level 1 covers entry-level lineworkers with limited field experience, typically still learning de-energized line work under direct supervision. Employers filing at this level are expected to provide structured on-the-job training toward full journeyman competency.
Level 2 is the most common filing level for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers. It covers qualified journeymen who perform standard installation and repair tasks independently, including energized line work, with only general oversight from a lead or supervisor.
Level 3 applies to experienced lineworkers who handle complex distribution and transmission assignments, troubleshoot system faults, and may informally guide less experienced crew members. These workers require minimal supervision on high-voltage or specialized infrastructure projects.
Level 4 covers fully competent senior lineworkers or lead crew members who set technical standards, oversee multi-person teams on transmission tower erection or major grid projects, and exercise broad independent judgment across the full scope of line installation and repair.
Prevailing Wage for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for this role and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Watch for mismatched titles at non-utility employers
Contractors and telecom firms sometimes post lineworker roles under broader SOC codes like Installation Workers (49-9099), which carry a lower prevailing wage floor. Confirm the LCA references SOC 49-9051 before accepting a sponsored offer.
Compare metro wages before choosing between offers
The prevailing wage gap between California metros like San Jose and low-wage markets such as Lafayette, Louisiana can be substantial for the same L2 journeyman title. The worksite address on the LCA, not your home address, determines which floor applies.
Account for per-diem and travel in your total compensation
Utility and line-construction employers often supplement base wages with per-diem, subsistence, and travel pay. DOL counts only regular wages toward prevailing wage compliance; per-diem and reimbursements do not count toward meeting the floor.
Search Migrate Mate for employers who have sponsored lineworkers
Utility and electrical contractors vary widely in sponsorship history. Migrate Mate shows which employers have actually sponsored H-1B or green card positions in this occupation, so you can focus outreach on companies with a real track record rather than guessing.
Jobs for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for this rolePrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 49-9051.00 alongside Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Class Gloving Electrical Lineman Prevailing Wage
Class Gloving Electrical Lineman Prevailing Wage
Class Gloving Electrical Lineman positions fall under SOC 49-9051.00 (Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Class Rubber Gloving Lineman Prevailing Wage
Class Rubber Gloving Lineman Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Class Rubber Gloving Lineman for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 49-9051.00 (Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Electrical Lineman Prevailing Wage
Electrical Lineman Prevailing Wage
Electrical Lineman is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 49-9051.00 (Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Electrical Lineworker Prevailing Wage
Electrical Lineworker Prevailing Wage
Electrical Lineworker positions fall under SOC 49-9051.00 (Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Lineworker Prevailing Wage
Lineworker Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Lineworker for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 49-9051.00 (Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Power Lineman Prevailing Wage
Power Lineman Prevailing Wage
Power Lineman is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 49-9051.00 (Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Power Lineman Technician Prevailing Wage
Power Lineman Technician Prevailing Wage
Power Lineman Technician positions fall under SOC 49-9051.00 (Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Service Man Prevailing Wage
Service Man Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Service Man for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 49-9051.00 (Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Third Step Lineman Prevailing Wage
Third Step Lineman Prevailing Wage
Third Step Lineman is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 49-9051.00 (Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Troubleman Prevailing Wage
Troubleman Prevailing Wage
Troubleman positions fall under SOC 49-9051.00 (Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to establish four wage levels for SOC 49-9051 in each geographic area. The Office of Foreign Labor Certification publishes these figures annually. Employers must offer at least the prevailing wage for the applicable level and worksite location on the Labor Condition Application before USCIS will approve an H-1B petition.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
DOL's four levels reflect experience and responsibility: Level 1 is entry-level with close supervision, Level 2 is a qualified journeyman working independently, Level 3 is an experienced worker handling complex assignments, and Level 4 is a senior or lead with broad authority. Your level should match the actual duties and supervision described in the job offer, not just the job title. If your offer lists lead crew responsibilities but the LCA is filed at Level 1, that is a red flag.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same lineworker role vary so much by city?
DOL calculates wages from regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, so each metropolitan area reflects local labor market conditions, unionization rates, and utility density. The LCA must list the actual worksite address, meaning the wage floor is locked to where the work is physically performed. A lineworker placed on a project in Bellingham, Washington faces a much higher floor than one assigned to Rocky Mount, North Carolina, even under the same employer and job title.
What happens if my job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
USCIS will not approve an H-1B petition if the Labor Condition Application shows a wage below the DOL prevailing wage for the role and worksite. If an LCA is already certified at an incorrect wage, DOL can investigate and require back pay for the difference. For green card PERM applications, a below-floor offered wage can result in denial of the entire labor certification. Employers bear the legal obligation to pay at least the prevailing wage throughout the period of authorized employment.
How can I find and verify the prevailing wage for a specific U.S. location for this role?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up SOC 49-9051 wages by metropolitan area or state. Select the relevant geographic area and the experience level that matches the job duties to see the current floor. You can also review an employer's publicly posted LCA documents to see which wage level they filed. Migrate Mate lists employers with a history of sponsoring roles in this occupation, which can help you identify companies already familiar with the wage compliance requirements for lineworkers.
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