USCalifornia salary guideStatewide BLS data
Updated for 2026

Electrical Power-line Installer and Repairer Salary in California (2026)

The Electrical Power-line Installer and Repairer salary in California for 2026 is shown as a modeled statewide benchmark built from the latest official BLS wage baseline, then extended with wage trend history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available. Each section helps readers understand where this career pays best across the state and how the projected benchmark compares with metro markets. Official BLS and O*NET title: "Electrical Power-line Installers & Repairers".

Official BLS baseline: 2024Modeled statewide salary guide11,070 employment estimate12 min read
Average Salary
$139K
state median
Entry Level
$76.8K
starting range
Senior Level
$168K
upper band
Top Range
$161K
90th percentile
Hourly Rate
$59
median equivalent
Salary figures projected to 2026  from May 2024BLS OEWS baseline·   Projections use wage history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available
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Electrical Power-line Installer and Repairer Salary Overview in California

Careerclev's modeled 2026 benchmark places Electrical Power-line Installer and Repairer pay in California at about $138,965 per year. On the latest official statewide BLS baseline, the range runs from about $67,690.0 at the lower end to $160,860 for top earners.

This guide covers the full statewide Electrical Power-line Installer and Repairer salary picture first, then compares metro markets inside California where BLS data is available — making it useful for candidates who want a broader view beyond any single city.

California Electrical Power-line Installer and Repairer Salary vs the U.S. Average

The statewide median for Electrical Power-line Installer and Repairer roles in California is $138,965, compared with a U.S. median of $92,560.0. That gap of +50% helps readers see whether this state sits in a premium salary market, a near-national market, or a lower-cost salary market relative to the rest of the country.

BenchmarkCaliforniaUnited StatesDifference
Projected annual salary$138,965$92,560.0+50% vs U.S.
Entry-level benchmark$96,511.0$56,711.0+70% vs U.S.
Senior-level benchmark$168,489$122,383+38% vs U.S.
Top baseline wage range$160,860$126,610+27% vs U.S.
Projected hourly equivalent$59$4511,070 state jobs
How to read the state premium Redding, CA is currently the strongest-paying metro in this state, which helps explain how local employer concentration pushes the state average. Other Services Except Public Administration is the strongest-paying industry benchmark currently available.

Electrical Power-line Installer and Repairer Salary by Experience Level in California

Statewide experience bands help show how much of the salary story comes from growing responsibility, not location alone. Even inside one state, the distance between entry-level and senior pay can be wide enough to change how attractive the long-term path looks.

Entry-Level
0-2 years
$96.5K
$67/hr median equivalent
$76.8K - $139K
Lower percentile wages modeled into early-career pay.
Mid-Level
3-5 years
$139K
$67/hr median equivalent
$96.5K - $168K
Independent delivery and broader scope become the norm.
Senior
6-10 years
$168K
$67/hr median equivalent
$139K - $182K
Higher salaries usually reflect stronger ownership and specialization.
Lead / Principal
10+ years
$182K
$67/hr median equivalent
$168K - $223K
Leadership pay reflects broader responsibility and top-end wage ranges.
LevelExperienceProjected SalaryProjected RangeVs U.S.
Entry-Level Electrical Power-line Installer and Repairer0-2 years$96,511.0$76,776.0 - $138,965+4% vs U.S.
Mid-Level Electrical Power-line Installer and Repairer3-5 years$138,965$96,511.0 - $168,489+50% vs U.S.
Senior Electrical Power-line Installer and Repairer6-10 years$168,489$138,965 - $182,451+82% vs U.S.
Lead / Principal Electrical Power-line Installer and Repairer10+ years$182,451$168,489 - $222,590+97% vs U.S.
State experience modelThese experience bands are modeled from local wage percentiles because BLS publishes wage distributions, not direct entry, mid, senior, or lead labels.
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Electrical Power-line Installer and Repairer Salary by City in California

City-level differences inside California can be large. Stronger salary metro areas often combine dense employers, specialized industries, and stronger competition for experienced Electrical Power-line Installer and Repairer talent.

City / MetroProjected SalaryProjected RangeVs StateMarket Signal
Redding, CA$138,230$60,580.0 - $158,500Near nationalValue market
Santa Maria, CA$136,850$84,050.0 - $161,650-2% vs U.S.Value market
Stockton, CA$132,240$46,200.0 - $152,240-5% vs U.S.Value market
San Jose, CA$131,640$81,440.0 - $185,940-5% vs U.S.Value market
El Centro, CA$131,420$71,710.0 - $131,420-5% vs U.S.Value market
Fresno, CA$130,740$81,850.0 - $153,750-6% vs U.S.Value market
San Francisco, CA$128,470$81,020.0 - $181,300-8% vs U.S.Value market
Los Angeles, CA$127,810$75,280.0 - $164,930-8% vs U.S.Value market

Electrical Power-line Installer and Repairer Salary by Industry in California

Industry mix is one of the strongest drivers behind pay differences inside a state. Stronger salary industry rows usually reflect employers that place the role closer to revenue, specialized operations, or hard-to-source talent.

IndustryModeled SalaryReference RangeSignal
Other Services Except Public Administration$109,700$60,670.0 - $121,640Stronger salary
Utilities$102,050$64,240.0 - $129,560Stronger salary
Wholesale Trade$96,320.0$41,730.0 - $105,020Stronger salary
Management of Companies and Enterprises$96,150.0$61,000.0 - $125,210Competitive
Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service$88,910.0$51,160.0 - $125,230Competitive
Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service$88,910.0$51,160.0 - $125,210Competitive
Transportation and Warehousing$84,370.0$63,680.0 - $105,330Competitive
Construction$75,020.0$45,440.0 - $120,290Competitive

Entry-Level Electrical Power-line Installer and Repairer Salary in California

Entry-level pay in California for electrical power-line installer and repairer usually starts near the lower statewide wage band, then rises as candidates move from supervised work into independent delivery. The first major salary jump often comes from handling broader scope, changing employers, or moving into stronger local metro markets.

Starting benchmark
$96.5K
$76.8K - $139K
Typical early-career compensation in this state, modeled from the lower end of the local wage distribution.
Promotion target
$139K
+44.0% vs entry median
The move into reliable independent delivery is usually the first real comp inflection point.
Preparation pathJob Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Typical education: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. Training signal: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
StageTypical SalaryTimelineKey Signal
Intern / trainee$65.3K - $84.5KPre-full-timeFoundational proof
Entry-level$96,511.00-2 yearsStructured support and learning
Promotion-ready junior$104K - $118K12-24 monthsIndependent delivery
Mid-level target$138,96518-30 monthsBroader ownership
Entry estimateEntry-level Electrical Power-line Installer and Repairer pay in California is modeled around $96,511.0using the lower state wage percentiles.
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Public vs Private-Sector Pay in California

The state salary dataset here does not label every wage row by public or private ownership, so this section models the comparison from statewide salary levels and the industry spread visible in the data. It is best read as pay guidance, not as a direct government-vs-private wage census.

Employer TypeEstimated SalaryBest MatchHow It Is Modeled
Public / institutional style$109,700Other Services Except Public AdministrationAnchored to lower-variance industry rows and the statewide baseline
Private-market baseline$138,965California commercial employersUses the core statewide median as the middle market
Top private-sector path$96,320.0Wholesale TradeAnchored to the strongest visible industry pay rows
Interpretation notePrivate-sector upside is usually strongest where Electrical Power-line Installer and Repairer work is closer to revenue, specialized operations, or employer competition. Institutional paths often trade some upside for steadier pay bands and clearer progression.

Remote vs Onsite Electrical Power-line Installer and Repairer Pay in California

Remote and hybrid work can change the salary story for a state page because the employer market may be broader than the worker’s home location. Where direct remote comp data is available, it is shown below; otherwise the fallback rows use the local salary benchmark as the base case.

Work TypeEstimated SalaryExperienceBest FitFlexibility
Remote$138,965Market dependentNational hiring poolsHigh
Hybrid$143,134Metro dependentCalifornia employersMedium
Onsite$140,355Location dependentLocal teams and officesLower

The best remote comparison is total pay after commute, housing pressure, and access to stronger employer markets. A lower-cost metro paired with national hiring access can outperform a higher nominal local salary.

Cost of Living for Electrical Power-line Installer and Repairer Salary in California

A state salary should be read alongside rent, taxes, commuting, and the mix of high-cost and lower-cost metro areas inside the state. The same Electrical Power-line Installer and Repairer salary can feel very different across California.

MarketProjected SalaryMonthlyVs StateModeled Cost Signal
Redding, CA$138,230$11.5KNear nationalLower-cost signal
Santa Maria, CA$136,850$11.4K-2% vs U.S.Lower-cost signal
Stockton, CA$132,240$11.0K-5% vs U.S.Lower-cost signal
San Jose, CA$131,640$11.0K-5% vs U.S.Lower-cost signal
El Centro, CA$131,420$11.0K-5% vs U.S.Lower-cost signal
Fresno, CA$130,740$10.9K-6% vs U.S.Lower-cost signal
Purchasing-power reminder Redding, CA sets the top in-state pay benchmark, while Bakersfield, CA shows how lower salary markets may come with a lighter local cost burden.

Leading Salary Cities in California

Statewide averages flatten the most important local differences. This ranking brings those differences back into view by showing which cities and metros inside California create the strongest salary benchmarks for this role.

City / MetroProjected SalaryProjected RangeVs State
Redding, CA$138,230$60,580.0 - $158,500Near national
Santa Maria, CA$136,850$84,050.0 - $161,650-2% vs U.S.
Stockton, CA$132,240$46,200.0 - $152,240-5% vs U.S.
San Jose, CA$131,640$81,440.0 - $185,940-5% vs U.S.
El Centro, CA$131,420$71,710.0 - $131,420-5% vs U.S.
Fresno, CA$130,740$81,850.0 - $153,750-6% vs U.S.
San Francisco, CA$128,470$81,020.0 - $181,300-8% vs U.S.
Los Angeles, CA$127,810$75,280.0 - $164,930-8% vs U.S.
Oxnard, CA$127,000$79,510.0 - $162,260-9% vs U.S.
Bakersfield, CA$123,140$78,620.0 - $151,850-11% vs U.S.

Electrical Power-line Installer and Repairer Demand Outlook in California

Career growth inside California is best read through two lenses: the local salary ladder and the broader national demand outlook. The salary ladder shows how compensation expands with responsibility, while the outlook data shows whether employers are likely to keep competing for talent.

1
Intern / Trainee
$53.7K - $72.2K
Salary growth at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and more independent impact.
2
Junior
$66.6K - $87.9K
Salary growth at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and more independent impact.
3
Mid Level
$83.3K - $104K
Salary growth at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and more independent impact.
4
Senior
$100K - $130K
Salary growth at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and more independent impact.
5
Lead
$119K - $150K
Salary growth at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and more independent impact.
6
Principal / Architect
$139K - $190K
Salary growth at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and more independent impact.
BLS Demand SignalEmployment is projected to change by 6.6% from 2024 to 2034.
Faster than averageAnnual openings: 10.7 thousand.
Metric2026 Outlook
Projected employment127.4k → 135.8k
Typical educationUsually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Related experienceSome occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
State market anchor11,070 jobs with a median of $138,965

Factors That Affect Electrical Power-line Installer and Repairer Salary in California

State salary is shaped by more than the job title. Metro concentration, local industry strength, training expectations, and the size of the in-state employer market all influence where pay ultimately settles.

Years of Experience
Salary usually rises as the role moves from entry-level execution to independent ownership, mentoring, and broader decision-making.
Location and Cost of Living
Local salary ranges vary by labor market, employer density, and household-income context.
Industry
Industry pay can vary when employers in higher-margin or harder-to-staff sectors compete for the same occupation.
Specialized Skills
O*NET marks high-demand role-specific skills as relevant skills for this role, making them useful anchors for specialization and salary-growth content.
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How to Increase Your Electrical Power-line Installer and Repairer Salary in California

Salary growth tends to come fastest when candidates combine stronger proof of impact, better-paying market selection, and negotiation with current state and U.S. benchmarks in hand.

MoveWhy It HelpsTimelineAvg. Salary Impact
Benchmark against stronger marketsCompare national, metro, and industry salary facts before negotiating so your target range is grounded in current wage data.1-3 months+15-30%
Build a visible specializationPrioritize skills such as high-demand role-specific skills; O*NET relevance scores make these good first candidates for portfolio and resume positioning.3-9 months$16.7K - $38.9K
Target higher-paying industriesUse industry salary facts to identify sectors that already pay above the occupation baseline.2-6 months$11.1K - $25.0K
Fastest practical liftThe quickest salary gains often come from combining stronger proof, a better-paying metro or industry target, and a well-benchmarked negotiation conversation.

Electrical Power-line Installer and Repairer Salary in California: FAQs

These questions usually come up after readers compare the statewide benchmark with city differences, experience bands, and demand signals. They are here to clear up the parts of the salary picture that still feel uncertain after the main sections.

These FAQs focus on how readers searching for "Electrical Power-line Installer and Repairer" compare statewide salary levels, metro differences, and career progression across the state.

What is the average Electrical Power-line Installers & Repairers salary?
The latest national baseline for Electrical Power-line Installers & Repairers is about $92,600 per year, based on the current BLS-derived salary facts in CareerClev.
What is the entry-level Electrical Power-line Installers & Repairers salary?
Entry-level estimates for Electrical Power-line Installers & Repairers are modeled around the lower BLS percentile range, currently about $50,000 per year nationally.
How much can senior Electrical Power-line Installers & Repairers professionals earn?
Senior Electrical Power-line Installers & Repairers estimates are modeled from upper percentile wage bands and currently sit around $107,900 per year nationally.
Does location affect Electrical Power-line Installers & Repairers salary?
Yes. CareerClev stores salary facts by national, state, and metro locations, so location-specific pages should use the closest available geography instead of a single national number.
Which skills matter for Electrical Power-line Installers & Repairers salary growth?
CareerClev uses O*NET skill importance and level scores to identify role-relevant skills. These are useful for recommendations, but should not be presented as measured salary premiums unless enriched compensation data exists.
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Data Sources & MethodologyUpdated using 2024 BLS OEWS salary facts, O*NET occupation-skill data, Census location context where available, ILOSTAT country benchmarks where mapped, BLS Employment Projections where imported, and Stack Overflow Developer Survey enrichment for mapped tech roles.
Career: medium · City: official · Compare: medium · Country: official
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