Lineman Pay by State

Lineman Salary in Georgia (2026)

Real pay, apprenticeships, and how to start — written by a working journeyman lineman. Updated June 2026.

Georgia's lineman wages sit closer to the national middle, but that figure only tells part of the story. Lower cost of living means your paycheck often goes further here than in coastal states, and overtime can close the gap fast. It's also a heavy storm state. When hurricanes, ice, or severe weather knock out power, Georgia linemen work long restoration hours at premium rates — that overtime (storm ot adds $10-25k) is a big reason take-home here often beats the base numbers.

Georgia Lineman Pay Range

$60-123k
⏱ Storm OT adds $10-25k

Pay by Career Stage in Georgia

Here's how lineman pay progresses in Georgia, from your first year as an apprentice to journeyman and foreman. Remember: apprentices earn a paycheck from day one — there's no tuition and no student debt.

Apprentice$29/hr
Journeyman$43-59/hr
Foreman$66/hr
Before You Decide
Is Lineman Work Worth It vs College?

See how a Georgia lineman career stacks up against a four-year degree — lifetime earnings, debt, and net worth, side by side.

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Top Lineman Employers in Georgia

These are large, established employers of linemen operating in Georgia — electric utilities, line-construction contractors, and rural co-ops. Pay, schedule, and culture vary by employer, so ask around before you commit.

Georgia Power (Southern Co.)
Georgia EMC

Apprenticeships & Training in Georgia

You don't pay your way into this trade — you get hired into it. These are the apprenticeship programs and pre-apprentice schools that feed Georgia's lineman workforce. IBEW Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees (JATCs) are the gold standard, but pre-apprentice and climbing programs can help you get accepted.

Georgia Piedmont Technical CollegeClarkston, GA · Certificate (12 wk-1 yr)
Southern Crescent Technical CollegeGriffin, GA · Certificate (12 wk-1 yr)
Georgia Northwestern Technical CollegeRome, GA · Certificate (12 wk-1 yr)
North Georgia Technical CollegeClarkesville, GA · Certificate (12 wk-1 yr)
See all 10 lineman programs in Georgia →

How to Become a Lineman in Georgia

The path is the same proven route used across the country, applied locally: get your high school diploma or GED, work on the basics (math, physical fitness, a clean driving record), and get your CDL or be ready to. Then apply to an apprenticeship through one of the programs above. You'll spend roughly 3.5–4 years as a paid apprentice before testing out as a journeyman at full Georgia scale.

For the complete step-by-step — aptitude test tips, what the work is actually like, and how to stand out on an application — read our full guide to becoming a lineman If the written test is what worries you, we also sell a IBEW aptitude test prep guide.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do linemen make in Georgia?
In Georgia, lineman pay ranges roughly $60-123k depending on career stage. Apprentices start lower and journeymen earn the top of that range, with overtime and storm work often pushing total pay higher. Storm OT adds $10-25k
How long does it take to become a lineman in Georgia?
Most lineman apprenticeships in Georgia run about 3.5 to 4 years. You earn a full wage the entire time — apprentices are paid employees, not students paying tuition. By the end you test out as a journeyman at full scale.
Do you need a degree to be a lineman in Georgia?
No. You need a high school diploma or GED, typically a CDL (or the ability to get one), and acceptance into an apprenticeship. No four-year degree and no student debt. Apprenticeships are competitive and most applicants don't get in on their first try. A pre-apprentice or climbing program is the most common way people get accepted — it's how many candidates get their CDL, climbing certification, and first utility contact in one shot.
Where do Georgia linemen find apprenticeships?
Through utility companies and IBEW Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees (JATCs) in Georgia, plus technical college pre-apprentice programs. Top local employers include Georgia Power (Southern Co.), Georgia EMC.
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Pass the Test That Gets You In

Apprenticeship slots are heavily oversubscribed and the aptitude test is where most applicants get filtered out. Timed practice sets, an algebra refresher, and worked answers — written by a working journeyman lineman, not a test-prep company.

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