Electrical Power Line and Cable Workers

National Occupational Classification (NOC): 72203

Fast Facts

  • Average Pay: N/A
  • Future Growth: N/A
  • Skill Level: N/A
  • Employment Size: N/A
  • Unemployment: N/A
  • Full-time Share: N/A

Sample Job Titles

  • Apprentice lineman/woman – electric power systems
  • Cable installer – electrical power
  • Cable splicer – electrical power
  • Construction lineman/woman – electrical power line
  • High voltage lineman/linewoman
  • Line repairer - electric power systems
  • Power lineman/woman
  • Power line technician
  • Tower lineman/woman - electric power systems


What do electrical power line and cable workers do?

Electrical power line and cable workers construct, maintain and repair overhead and underground electrical power transmission and distribution systems. They are employed by electric power generation, transmission and distribution companies, electrical contractors and public utility commissions. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Electrical power line and cable workers perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Install, maintain, troubleshoot and repair electrical distribution and transmission systems including overhead and underground power lines and cables, insulators, conductors, lightning arrestors, switches, transformers and other associated equipment
  • Erect and maintain steel, wood or concrete poles, towers and guy wires
  • Splice, solder and insulate conductors and related wiring to connect power distribution and transmission networks using splicing tools, related electrical equipment and tools
  • Inspect and test overhead and underground power lines and cables and auxiliary equipment using electrical test equipment
  • Climb ladders or operate hydraulic buckets when working aloft on poles and towers, or work in confined spaces such as trenches and tunnels to install power lines and cables and associated equipment
  • Install and maintain street lighting systems
  • Communicate with other workers to coordinate the preparation and completion of work assignments.

Source: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021, Employment and Social Development Canada

 

Electrical power line and cable workers work in the following subsectors (NAICS) in Newfoundland and Labrador:

  • 221   Utilities
  • 237   Heavy and civil engineering construction
  • 238   Specialty trade contractors
  • 236   Construction of buildings

Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada

 

Short and Long Term Occupational Projections

Short Term Projections for 2023-2025

The employment outlook will be moderate for electrical power line and cable workers in Newfoundland and Labrador (rating of 3 out of 5) for the 2023-2025 period.

Source: Job Bank, Government of Canada

 

Long Term Projections for 2023-2032

Electrical power line and cable workers belong to the broader occupational group 72203-72205 (Electrical power line, telecommunications line and cable workers). This group is forecast to be balanced (rating of 1.7 out of 4) over the next several years, meaning projected labour supply is expected to meet forecasted job openings.

Source: Department of Finance, Occupation Projections (Summer 2023)

 

Number of Job Postings in 2023

During 2023, there were 16 public job postings for this occupation, with the following distribution:

Avalon: 31% Western: 13%
Eastern: 0% Labrador: 19%
Central: 19% NL-unspecified: 19%

Source: Lightcast (note: data used in this analysis reflects new unique monthly postings which are totaled for the calendar year)



Who works as electrical power line and cable workers in Newfoundland and Labrador?

During the reference week of May 2021, there were approximately 320 people working in this occupation in Newfoundland and Labrador. 100% of those employed were Male+ and 0% of those employed were Female+.

Here is the age group breakdown for this group of workers:

15 to 24 25 to 54 55 to 64 65+
9% 80% 8% 3%

Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada

 

How much do electrical power line and cable workers make?

Annual Earnings

The median employment income for all electrical power line and cable workers in the reference year 2020 (410 workers in total, including those working part-time and full-time, as well as part-year and full-year) was $115,000.

Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada.

 

Hourly Earnings

Salary information for electrical power line and cable workers in Newfoundland and Labrador is as follows:

Low ($/hour) Median ($/hour) High ($/hour)
Newfoundland and Labrador $36.69 $43.00 $48.00

 

The following low, median, and high wages are for Canada:

Low ($/hour) Median ($/hour) High ($/hour)
$27.00 $43.74 $56.41

Source: Job Bank, Government of Canada

 

Most Frequently Sought Skills from Job Postings: (2023)

  • Electrical Power Transmission And Distribution
  • Hydropower
  • Construction
  • Construction Management
  • Drilling
  • High Voltage

Source: Lightcast



What training is required?

  • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
  • Completion of a provincial three- or four-year lineman/woman apprenticeship program
    or
    a combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in electrical technology is usually required for electrical power line and cable workers.
  • Trade certification for powerline technicians is available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
  • Trade certification for powerline technicians (construction) is available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador.
  • Trade certification for distribution construction linemen/women is available, but voluntary, in New Brunswick.
  • Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified powerline technicians upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
  • The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
  • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

Source: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021, Employment and Social Development Canada

* Find public and private education, training and skills development opportunities in Newfoundland and Labrador here.