Electrician vs Power Line Installer
Which trade pays more? Side-by-side salary comparison using 2025 BLS data.
Electrician
Electrical · 4yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$65,308
Salary Range$54,490 – $84,360
5yr Growth+12%
Trade Pay ScoreB (72/100)
Total Employment190,384
Cities Tracked30
Higher Pay
Power Line Installer
Electrical · 4yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$87,732
Salary Range$74,545 – $112,855
5yr Growth+16%
Trade Pay ScoreA (86/100)
Total Employment217,003
Cities Tracked30
City-by-City Comparison
| City | Electrician | Power Line Installer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $84,360 | $104,999 | -$20,639 |
| New York, NY | $78,080 | $112,855 | -$34,775 |
| Seattle, WA | $76,661 | $97,004 | -$20,343 |
| Boston, MA | $76,009 | $98,333 | -$22,324 |
| Portland, OR | $74,481 | $99,431 | -$24,950 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $74,392 | $98,777 | -$24,385 |
| Houston, TX | $70,598 | $88,707 | -$18,109 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $69,360 | $99,425 | -$30,065 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $68,870 | $88,613 | -$19,743 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $66,341 | $91,683 | -$25,342 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $66,255 | $83,676 | -$17,421 |
| Chicago, IL | $65,562 | $94,049 | -$28,487 |
| Denver, CO | $65,492 | $86,992 | -$21,500 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $65,098 | $79,227 | -$14,129 |
| Detroit, MI | $64,745 | $85,790 | -$21,045 |
| Nashville, TN | $63,903 | $75,751 | -$11,848 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $63,250 | $86,876 | -$23,626 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $62,591 | $84,221 | -$21,630 |
| Dallas, TX | $62,098 | $87,080 | -$24,982 |
| Tampa, FL | $60,888 | $81,266 | -$20,378 |
| St. Louis, MO | $60,408 | $83,941 | -$23,533 |
| Atlanta, GA | $60,324 | $80,461 | -$20,137 |
| Raleigh, NC | $60,187 | $82,108 | -$21,921 |
| Charlotte, NC | $59,666 | $74,545 | -$14,879 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $58,402 | $78,807 | -$20,405 |
| Columbus, OH | $57,704 | $85,011 | -$27,307 |
| Kansas City, MO | $56,996 | $79,542 | -$22,546 |
| New Orleans, LA | $56,017 | $82,075 | -$26,058 |
| Miami, FL | $56,010 | $84,373 | -$28,363 |
| San Antonio, TX | $54,490 | $76,343 | -$21,853 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Electricians or Power Line Installers make more money?
Power Line Installers earn more on average, with a national median salary of $87,732 compared to $65,308 — a difference of $22,424 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — Electrician or Power Line Installer?
Power Line Installer has stronger 5-year wage growth at 16% vs 12%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
Electrician requires 4 years of apprenticeship, while Power Line Installer requires 4 years.
Electrician salary by city →
Power Line Installer salary by city →
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