Lineman Pay by State

Lineman Salary in Tennessee (2026)

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

Tennessee offers solid, dependable lineman pay — not the highest in the country, not the lowest, but the kind of steady union-scale money that builds real wealth over a career with zero student debt. It's also a heavy storm state. When hurricanes, ice, or severe weather knock out power, Tennessee linemen work long restoration hours at premium rates — that overtime (storm ot adds $12-25k) is a big reason take-home here often beats the base numbers.

Tennessee Lineman Pay Range

$64-131k

⏱ Storm OT adds $12-25k

Pay by Career Stage in Tennessee

Here's how lineman pay progresses in Tennessee, 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$31/hr

Journeyman$47-63/hr

Foreman$71/hr

Before You Decide

Is Lineman Work Worth It vs College?

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

Run the Wealth Calculator → See the pay map →

Top Lineman Employers in Tennessee

These are the utilities and contractors Tennessee linemen rate highest, based on reviews from workers in the field. Pay, overtime, and culture vary a lot between employers — it pays to ask around before you sign on.

TVA★ 4.1 (24 reviews)

Nashville Electric Service★ 4.0 (16 reviews)

MLGW★ 3.9 (12 reviews)

Apprenticeships & Training in Tennessee

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 Tennessee's lineman workforce. IBEW Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees (JATCs) are the gold standard, but pre-apprentice and climbing programs can help you get accepted.

IBEW Local 429 JATCApprenticeship (Nashville)

Tennessee College of Applied TechElectrical Technology

How to Become a Lineman in Tennessee

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 Tennessee 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do linemen make in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, lineman pay ranges roughly $64-131k 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 $12-25k

How long does it take to become a lineman in Tennessee?

Most lineman apprenticeships in Tennessee 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 Tennessee?

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. A pre-apprentice program or climbing school can help you get accepted but isn't always required.

Where do Tennessee linemen find apprenticeships?

Through utility companies and IBEW Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees (JATCs) in Tennessee, plus technical college pre-apprentice programs. Top local employers include TVA, Nashville Electric Service, MLGW.