New Lineman

Hello everyone, I have been seriously considering going to lineman school, I was actually going to be in lineman school at NECC in Nebraska but I didnt make the wait list for this year so I'm set to go next year. I have been thinking alot about the job and just wondering if most of you are happy with your job and what you do? Also I dont want to sound rude asking but have been also wondering what salary range I should expect. Does anyone here know anything about the program there and is it difficult to find jobs in this field fresh out of school?
thanks in advance.

[Electriceel]

Program in Norfolk is a good one, but I still like the one at NWICC in Sheldon, Iowa.
They have an excellent program if you are willing to apply yourself. Job placement is almost always 100%.
Salary range varies depending on the type of utility or contractor you get on with.
Yes, I am happy with my job, started out as a groundman and have worked up to a Jouneyman.
Contractors $50-60,000
Municipals $40-a high of 60,000
Coops $50-60,000
Investor Owned $60-70,000
Starting out wages take 30% off of these.

These are an estimate of journeyman wages, with overtime which varies.
Words of advice, pay attention to us old timers, you will see us do things a different way that any college will teach you. Sometimes the old school is not all that bad, lot easier to make your tools and groundman work for you.

Ok, young bucks go ahead and tear this apart.

If I were you I would apply to a NJATC Program. Why pay to go to school when you can be an Apprentice and get paid for learning in the field. Learning in a classroom or on something dead is alot different than learning while you are out their in your hooks. Obviously the pay must be a factor with the name Bankroll. I will tell you that everyone up hear in the northeast is making around 80,000 a year. But we work hard for our money. Cold nights, wet nights time away from the family hours on end without sleeping. It is def. not for everyone and if you do come in dont come in and expect to know everything in a day.

I am not lazy by any means, I am a very dependable hard worker. One thing is that I hate the cold though so I would move south for work. I just figured it would be easier to get a job if I went to school for it, would it make a difference in pay?

[old lineman]

Originally Posted by Electriceel

Program in Norfolk is a good one, but I still like the one at NWICC in Sheldon, Iowa.
They have an excellent program if you are willing to apply yourself. Job placement is almost always 100%.
Salary range varies depending on the type of utility or contractor you get on with.
Yes, I am happy with my job, started out as a groundman and have worked up to a Jouneyman.
Contractors $50-60,000
Municipals $40-a high of 60,000
Coops $50-60,000
Investor Owned $60-70,000
Starting out wages take 30% off of these.

These are an estimate of journeyman wages, with overtime which varies.
Words of advice, pay attention to us old timers, you will see us do things a different way that any college will teach you. Sometimes the old school is not all that bad, lot easier to make your tools and groundman work for you.

Ok, young bucks go ahead and tear this apart.

I'm no young buck and I won't tear you apart but I don't believe money should be the primary reason to attract potential linemen.
My believe some of the most rewarding things that come from the trade are; working as a team to accomplish the nearly impossible, physically building an essential service, teaching and mentoring new comers, restoring power when disaster strikes, problem solving something new almost every day and of course the money which won't make you rich but will generate enough so that you can be comfortable and hopefully salt enough away for a retirement.
Be safe and analyze your every move.
Never, never ASSUME.------------ That makes an ASS of YOU and ME!
The Old Lineman

I am already attracted to the job, I am just wanting to make sure that having this for a career will allow me to live the way I want to live. Is it better to go to school to be a line man or to just work your way up from the bottom.

[Orgnizdlbr]

Originally Posted by Bankroll

I am already attracted to the job, I am just wanting to make sure that having this for a career will allow me to live the way I want to live. Is it better to go to school to be a line man or to just work your way up from the bottom.

No matter what school you attend, or what apprentiship you serve, you will start at the BOTTOM and work your way up.

Someone else here refered to the NJATC. Go to an IBEW local and inquire. Get paid for serving your apprentiship, BTW the training you will receive through the IBEW is head and shoulders above any school out there.

If either way I am going to start at the bottom what is the point of going to school?

[billg]

Exactly ! Contact your local IBEW hall, and inquire about the apprentice program.

[electric squirrel]

You can go to work and learn to be a lineman ,,,,,
Or you can go to work & school and learn to be a lineman who knows what the hell he's doing! E.S.