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how to become a helicopter lineman
While most of the linemen that apply and are accepted for helicopter lineman crews are experienced journeymen, there are occasional apprenticeships and ground hand opportunities to work on these crews. There are plenty of tasks needed to be completed on the ground such as maintaining a driver’s logbook and vehicle inspection log while on duty. In order to be a journeyman working out of a helicopter, you must be comfortable and experienced constructing, inspecting, and repairing EHV (extra high voltage) lines. Taking a bird out to the wires is quite a bit different from working from a bucket truck or even on spikes.
Like most advanced career positions in the line industry, a strong foundation from a quality apprenticeship is the correct starting point. Learning the tried-and-true fundamentals on the ground is the surest path to get up in the air. “Patience, young grasshopper” as the saying goes. Everyone starts as an apprentice, even the most experienced aerial lineman who have advanced from a foreman to a superintendent to a director of operations to an even wire pilot (additional licensure and training needed of course). 4 years and 8,000 OJT hours working as an apprentice lineman in maintenance and construction of electrical systems is the best path forward.
Helicopter lineman companies
Common employers of helicopter linemen include AIR2 PLH, Summit Powerline Services, Haverfield, and Quanta Services. Helicopter lineman companies often manage a fleet of MD500 and provide transmission line services to a variety of major utilities across the U.S. because the work is so unique. The MD Helicopter 500 series is an American family of light utility civilian and military helicopters. The helicopter’s combination of strength and agility makes it a strong fit for overhead distribution crews. It is also not uncommon for the helicopter to be owned by one company and then contracted to a particular electric or utility company for a job.
Many linemen first notice the change of size and speed when working on a helicopter crew. Helicopters can be incredibly efficient for stringing long distances of wire. Crews used helicopters to transport from the landing zone to the structure, saving both time and money on the job. Crews often work in three-man teams moving a static line affixed above newly constructed power lines in a series of structures.
Helicopter lineman jobs
With the help of a helicopter, lineman can be placed in very nimble and precise positions. Upon the starting of a job, a lineman will strap in and go for a ride that would be the envy of many theme-park goers. Many people dream of taking a helicopter to work, these linemen get to live it. Helicopter linemen are the ultimate balance of extreme technical expertise with a touch of an adrenaline junkie. There are a limited number of openings at aerial lineman employers. It is joining the talent network and getting listing alerts for lineman-specific job boards.
A lot of people would pay for the views that aerial linemen get paid to work in. Aerial lineman must be able to use a variety of “hotline” tools and makes use of rubber gloves, line hoses, mechanical jumpers, fiber guards, and blankets. While those job descriptions may sound similar to most lineman positions, aerial lineman must be able to transfer from a helicopter to a structure via helicopter platform perform cross arm replacement, insulator replacement, conductor cut in, un-clip/clip-in conductors all from hundreds of feet in the air.
While the working environment might look a little different (and quite a bit further up in the air) the basics of safety and an emphasis on wellbeing remain true. One task that is common for helicopter linemen is removing an older porcelain insulator, lifted by a helicopter long line, from the dead-end structure. In recent years there have been several instances of accidents while working on 230-kilovolt power lines between existing substations in various townships.
The ideal candidate for many journeyman helicopter positions will be able to work a continuous travel-based rotation schedule and has a valid CDL license with tanker and HAZMAT endorsements, or will be able to receive one within 90 days of hire. Graduating from line school makes your career trajectory strong in the trade. The basics that will get you hired in most ground positions such as problem-solving, being energetic, punctual, and the ability to receive and follow directions and take responsibility for yourself will carry over well in this environment.
Can a lineman make over $100k?
Salary for helicopter linemen
The typical pay range for high-voltage helicopter lineman is one of the highest in the industry. While pay scales are broken down on an hourly basis, it is not uncommon for an experienced journeyman lineman doing aerial work to gross over $120,000 in one year. Some of the variables that affect the pay scales include location, local union, hazard compensation, and overtime. As with any payments statistics, there are many outliers on both ends of the bell curve. The average Air2, a major provider and innovator of helicopter-assisted utility construction and maintenance service, lineman hourly pay in the United States is approximately $32.00 or about $66,000 salary.
helicopter lineman jobs salary
As of Feb 7, 2022, the average annual pay for an Aerial Lineman in the United States is $44,759 a year.
Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $21.52 an hour. This is the equivalent of $861/week or $3,730/month.
While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $74,000 and as low as $30,000, the majority of Aerial Lineman salaries currently range between $34,500 (25th percentile) to $50,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $70,000 annually across the United States. The average pay range for an Aerial Lineman varies greatly (by as much as $15,500), which suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location and years of experience.
Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Aerial Lineman job market in both Lagos, NG, and throughout the entire state of is not very active as few companies are currently hiring. An Aerial Lineman in your area makes on average $44,759 per year, or the same as the national average annual salary of $44,759. ranks number 1 out of 50 states nationwide for Aerial Lineman salaries.
To estimate the most accurate annual salary range for Aerial Lineman jobs, ZipRecruiter continuously scans its database of millions of active jobs published locally throughout America.
What are Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Aerial Lineman Jobs
We’ve identified 10 cities where the typical salary for an Aerial Lineman job is above the national average. Topping the list is Santa Clara, CA, with San Francisco, CA and Fremont, CA close behind in the second and third positions. Fremont, CA beats the national average by $7,241 (16.2%), and Santa Clara, CA furthers that trend with another $9,393 (21.0%) above the $44,759 average.
Importantly, Santa Clara, CA has a moderately active Aerial Lineman job market with only a few companies currently hiring for this type of role.
With these 10 cities having average salaries higher than the national average, the opportunities for economic advancement by changing locations as an Aerial Lineman appears to be exceedingly fruitful.
Finally, another factor to consider is the average salary for these top ten cities varies very little at 9% between Santa Clara, CA and Santa Maria, CA, reinforcing the limited potential for much wage advancement.