Power Line Installer vs Machinist
Which trade pays more? Side-by-side salary comparison using 2025 BLS data.
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
Machinist
Metalwork · 4yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$52,141
Salary Range$43,717 – $66,698
5yr Growth+6%
Trade Pay ScoreD (51/100)
Total Employment123,979
Cities Tracked30
City-by-City Comparison
| City | Power Line Installer | Machinist | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $112,855 | $61,662 | +$51,193 |
| San Francisco, CA | $104,999 | $66,698 | +$38,301 |
| Portland, OR | $99,431 | $57,987 | +$41,444 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $99,425 | $64,169 | +$35,256 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $98,777 | $59,339 | +$39,438 |
| Boston, MA | $98,333 | $65,491 | +$32,842 |
| Seattle, WA | $97,004 | $65,465 | +$31,539 |
| Chicago, IL | $94,049 | $57,619 | +$36,430 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $91,683 | $53,383 | +$38,300 |
| Houston, TX | $88,707 | $53,304 | +$35,403 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $88,613 | $52,117 | +$36,496 |
| Dallas, TX | $87,080 | $49,483 | +$37,597 |
| Denver, CO | $86,992 | $51,848 | +$35,144 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $86,876 | $50,078 | +$36,798 |
| Detroit, MI | $85,790 | $52,203 | +$33,587 |
| Columbus, OH | $85,011 | $43,891 | +$41,120 |
| Miami, FL | $84,373 | $47,774 | +$36,599 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $84,221 | $45,510 | +$38,711 |
| St. Louis, MO | $83,941 | $48,863 | +$35,078 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $83,676 | $45,745 | +$37,931 |
| Raleigh, NC | $82,108 | $46,215 | +$35,893 |
| New Orleans, LA | $82,075 | $48,371 | +$33,704 |
| Tampa, FL | $81,266 | $43,717 | +$37,549 |
| Atlanta, GA | $80,461 | $50,744 | +$29,717 |
| Kansas City, MO | $79,542 | $47,317 | +$32,225 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $79,227 | $47,196 | +$32,031 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $78,807 | $44,848 | +$33,959 |
| San Antonio, TX | $76,343 | $47,841 | +$28,502 |
| Nashville, TN | $75,751 | $47,887 | +$27,864 |
| Charlotte, NC | $74,545 | $47,451 | +$27,094 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Power Line Installers or Machinists make more money?
Power Line Installers earn more on average, with a national median salary of $87,732 compared to $52,141 — a difference of $35,591 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — Power Line Installer or Machinist?
Power Line Installer has stronger 5-year wage growth at 16% vs 6%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
Power Line Installer requires 4 years of apprenticeship, while Machinist requires 4 years.
Power Line Installer salary by city →
Machinist salary by city →
All trades ranked by pay →
Fastest growing trades →