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Lineman Salary in Indianapolis, IN

U.S. median $92,560/yr ($44.50/hr)

Lineman pay in Indianapolis, Indiana follows the national median but climbs with union scale, cost of living, and how much transmission and storm work is on the books. Here is what the local market is paying right now.

Checking live local pay...

National benchmarks

Median$92,560/yr ($44.50/hr)
Hourly range$25 to $62/hr
Bottom 10%under about $52,000/yr (about $25/hr)
Top 10%over about $128,000/yr (about $62/hr)

Local pay in Indianapolis moves with cost of living, union presence, and demand. The live figure above reflects what Indianapolis employers are posting right now.

Pay by experience

Apprentice / entry (groundman, apprentice lineman)Paid 3.5 to 4-year apprenticeship. You start around 60 percent of journeyman scale and step up on a set schedule (roughly $20 to $32 an hour) as you log hours and pass steps. No college needed, but you need a high school diploma or GED and usually a CDL.$45,000 to $70,000/yr
Journeyman lineman (topped out, 4+ yrs)This is the heart of the trade. Union utility scale commonly runs $45 to $60 an hour base, and that is before overtime. A journeyman at a big utility or on transmission work clears six figures in a normal year and much more in a heavy-overtime year.$85,000 to $120,000/yr base
Experienced / crew foreman / troubleman / specialistForemen, general foremen, troublemen (troubleshooters), and transmission or substation specialists sit at the top of the scale. Add overtime and per diem and big storm years can push total pay past $180,000.$110,000 to $160,000+/yr
General foreman / superintendent / contractorRunning crews or a line-construction business. Pay depends on the book of work, storm season, and how much travel and overtime the crews take on.$130,000 to $200,000+/yr

Lineman jobs in Indianapolis

See Lineman jobs hiring in Indianapolis with pay shown upfront.

Lineman pay in nearby cities

Fort Wayne, IN

Lineman pay in Indianapolis: FAQs

How much do linemen make?

The national median was $92,560 a year, about $44.50 an hour, as of May 2024 (BLS). Most linemen fall between roughly $52,000 at the bottom 10 percent and $128,000 at the top 10 percent, with the top union and storm-chasing earners running even higher.

Do linemen make good money?

Yes. The median pay is nearly double the roughly $49,000 median for all U.S. jobs, and you train through a paid apprenticeship instead of paying for college. A topped-out journeyman with overtime routinely clears six figures.

Can you make $100,000 a year as a lineman?

Yes, and many do. Journeymen at union utilities, on transmission or substation crews, or working storm restoration and traveling per-diem jobs regularly pass $100,000. The top 10 percent of linemen earn over about $128,000.

What are the highest-paying lineman jobs?

Transmission and substation work, union (IBEW) utility scale, storm restoration, and traveling per-diem road work pay the most. Troubleman and foreman roles and high-scale states like California, Washington, Oregon, and New York add even more.

How much do linemen make per hour?

The median is $44.50 an hour as of May 2024. Apprentices start around $20 to $32 an hour, topped-out journeymen commonly earn $45 to $60 an hour on union scale, and that is before overtime and double-time.