Lineworker Career Guide in Arkansas
Explore lineworker salary, licensing requirements, training pathways, apprenticeships, job outlook, and career opportunities in Arkansas.
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How to Become a Lineworker in Arkansas
Arkansas State University–Newport offers dedicated high-voltage lineworker training. Candidates may then enter SELCAT, an electric cooperative, Entergy Arkansas, or a municipal utility training pathway.
Note: Training pathways vary by employer, program sponsor, and licensing category. Classroom education may provide useful technical preparation, but it does not automatically replace supervised work experience unless the applicable licensing authority specifically allows that credit.
Lineworker Salary in Arkansas
The salary figure shown on this page represents the Arkansas median wage for lineworker workers, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational wage data. A median wage is the point at which half of workers earn more and half earn less. It is not a guaranteed starting salary.
Actual earnings may vary by experience, license level, metropolitan area, employer, industry, overtime, and union agreement.
Compared with the national median of $92,560, the median wage in Arkansas is approximately $11,110 lower. This comparison does not account for differences in cost of living.
Licensing Authority for Lineworkers in Arkansas
Note: Licensing rules, fees, examinations, exemptions, and renewal requirements may change. Applicants should verify current requirements directly with the authority listed above before beginning work, applying for an examination, or enrolling in a training program.
CAREER PREPARATIONLineworker Training Requirements in Arkansas
Arkansas lineworkers generally enter the occupation through high-voltage lineworker training followed by a registered apprenticeship or utility-sponsored paid training program.
- Earn a high school diploma or equivalent and meet apprenticeship aptitude, physical, and driving requirements.
- Complete a lineworker training certificate or apply directly to a registered outside-line apprenticeship.
- Obtain a commercial driver’s license or learner’s permit when required.
- Complete instruction in climbing, overhead and underground distribution, transmission, transformers, rigging, grounding, and energized-line safety.
- Maintain first-aid, CPR, OSHA, flagging, and equipment-operation qualifications.
- Complete the required classroom instruction and paid supervised field hours for journey-level qualification.
Lineworker Training Providers in Arkansas
| Provider | City | Program Website |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas State University–Newport | Newport | View Program |
| University of Arkansas–Pulaski Technical College | North Little Rock | View Program |
| Southern Arkansas University Tech | Camden | View Program |
| NorthWest Arkansas Community College | Bentonville | View Program |
Note: Program availability, admission requirements, tuition, and credit toward licensing requirements may change. Verify current details directly with the provider and the applicable state licensing authority before enrolling. Listings are informational and do not constitute rankings or endorsements.
PAID TRAINING OPPORTUNITIESLineworker Apprenticeship Programs in Arkansas
Outside Line Apprenticeship
Organization: Southeastern Line Constructors Apprenticeship and Training
Electric Cooperative Lineworker Training
Organization: Arkansas Electric Cooperatives
Lineworker Licensing Requirements in Arkansas
Arkansas does not issue a standalone occupational license for utility lineworkers. Workers normally qualify through apprenticeship or employer training. Contractor and electrician licensing may apply to nonexempt electrical work, and a CDL is commonly required.
EMPLOYMENT PROJECTIONSLineworker Job Outlook in Arkansas
Arkansas’s latest long-term projection indicates approximately 12% growth for electrical power-line installers and repairers from 2024 to 2034, with about 180 annual openings.
Note: State employment projections may use a different base period from national BLS projections. Projected growth is an estimate rather than a guarantee of employment, and local demand may vary by metropolitan area, industry, construction activity, and employer investment.
CAREER QUESTIONSFrequently Asked Questions
What is the lineworker salary in Arkansas?
The statewide median wage for lineworkers in Arkansas is approximately $81,450 per year, or $39.16 per hour, based on May 2024 occupational wage data. Actual earnings vary by experience, license level, location, employer, overtime, and industry.
Does Arkansas require lineworker licensing?
No statewide occupational license is generally required for lineworker workers in Arkansas. Local jurisdictions, employers, or specific work scopes may still impose requirements, so applicants should verify current rules before beginning work.
How long does it take to become a lineworker in Arkansas?
The time required depends on the license pathway and training program. A typical training pathway takes approximately 3–4 Years to Journey Level, although licensing, apprenticeship, and employer requirements may differ.
Are lineworkers in demand in Arkansas?
Arkansas projects lineworker employment to grow by approximately 12% from 2024 to 2034, with about 180 openings per year. Projections include both new positions and openings created when workers leave the occupation.
Career Data Sources
State wage, employment outlook, and licensing information is reviewed using government and official regulatory sources. Data and requirements may change after publication.
- May 2024 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. May 2024 State OEWS
- Arkansas Wages for Lineworker (SOC 49-9051) — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Arkansas Lineworker Wages
- Arkansas Lineworker Employment Trends — O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor. Arkansas Lineworker Employment Trends
- Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing — Board of Electrical Examiners — Licensing authority. Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing — Board of Electrical Examiners