Linemen have the important job of laying overhead or underground power cables and maintaining them to prevent power failure.
A Lineman typically works for utility companies. They set up and maintain power lines that keep electricity flowing to homes and businesses.
If you dream of someday becoming a lineman, then this is the only blog you will need to learn everything about lineman schools in Florida.
Where Does a Lineman Work?
Linemen do not just work exclusively with powerlines, but many jobs within the electrical power that involve working on electric wires. For example:
- Power plant electrician
- Electrical power equipment repairer
- Electrical power lines worker
- Utility lineman
Power plants and substations generate electric current. The lineman makes sure the electrical current is sent out over transmission and distribution lines to homes, businesses, and factories. A lineman also works to keep these lines in good condition.
If a problem happens with the line, he is sent out to fix it. Linemen may also climb towers or poles and use ropes to walk along high-voltage wires. Furthermore, they must have safety training before they can climb high into the air like this.
Working amid energized power lines can be dangerous for a lineman—and those around him—so he must take special precautions when working on dangerous tasks such as repairing downed power lines or replacing poles.
He uses protective equipment such as insulated shoes, thick rubber gloves, and hard hats that cover his whole head except for his face so nothing will directly touch his skin if it comes in contact with energized parts of the wire.
How Much Does a Lineman in Florida Earn?
Linemen are popular electrical workers. Daily, a lot of high-schoolers with a technical background have shown interest in becoming journeymen linemen. It is safe to say that this profession has reached its peak popularity. In terms of job prospects for linemen, it is reported that there will be no change from 2020 to 2030. However, this doesn’t mean that linemen are not already important STEM workers.
The earning gap between linemen in different states in the United States is large. In some states like California, linemen earn as much as $102,000 on mean wage according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
However, the same cannot be said for linemen in Florida. Linemen in Florida earn only $66,400 on a mean average compared to other states like Delaware where the annual wage is $86,790. Job location and work experience are some key factors that will determine your earning power as a lineman.
How to Become a Lineman in Florida?
The best football players can’t step onto the field to play if no lineman is running the plays. A lineman’s job is to keep electric lines clear of debris so that power stays on in homes and businesses. If a tree falls or branches block the path of electricity, linemen come out to fix the problem and let power flow again.
While linemen work as part of a team, they also have some individual responsibilities such as inspecting poles and wiring after storms hit or wearing protective gear while working with dangerous equipment. As you can imagine, this is not a job for everyone.
How to Become a Lineman in Florida?
Becoming a lineman will require you to undergo a college degree or technical training to obtain a certificate that proves your experience.
The steps are outlined below:
- First, you must earn a high school diploma or GED.
- Next, obtain a commercial driver’s license. This is because linemen are usually required to drive vehicles long distances often on the job. So, having an expert driving skill gives you a fair hearing. You can complete a CDL driving lesson in two weeks or more.
- Attend a trade school. This may take 2 months to 1 year. Albeit, this may not always be necessary. But attending vocational schools that teach you useful skills on the job like OSHA (safety), climbing skills, and helps you become a better professional. Recruiters often look for people that are physically strong and have certain skills when making hiring decisions.
- Take an aptitude test. Some lineman schools in Florida require you to complete certain pre-requisite tests. If you score high enough on an aptitude test, depending on your state, you can also have an interview for an apprenticeship in any of the lineman schools in Florida we’ll show you in this article.
- Once you’ve been admitted into an apprenticeship program in any of the lineman schools in Florida, you can now begin your program. Typically, a lineman program in Florida takes about 7,000 hours (or 4 years) to complete. Depending on which lineman school in Florida you have selected, this program may be split into credit hours and semesters.
- After completing an apprenticeship program, you will earn certifications that show your experience. This may also include State Board examinations and other accreditation bodies.
- Finally, you can now become a journeyman lineman.
It takes about 5 – 7 years to become a lineman, depending on the path and lineman schools in Florida that you have chosen to study with.
Skills You Need to Become a Lineman
It is no secret that to become a lineman, you need some serious skills. Linemen are known to have patience. Lots of patience.
As a lineman, you are not entirely ensured your rest time as you may be called up anytime to fix an electrical fault in any part of town.
Succeeding in this niche means that you must be patient to leave your home to go out to fix an underground cable after any storm has damaged it. However, here are some general skills you need to become a lineman:
- Patience.
- Comfort with heights.
- Physical strength.
- Mental toughness.
- Great climbing skills.
- Reading voltages.
- Cable splicing.
Best Trade Schools in Florida
As we earlier mentioned, attending a trade school is important. They teach you some important skills you will need on the job like climbing, equipment repair, etc.
Important factors when choosing a school include cost, campus size, student population, academic calendar, method of teaching (in-class learning or online), accreditation, and reputation.
With that in mind, here are some great vocational schools in Florida that will make great choices for your pre-apprenticeship:
- South Florida Institute of Technology.
- Florida Technical College.
- Southern Technical College Orlando.
- Tulsa Welding School, Jacksonville.
- South Florida Academy of AC.
Trade schools usually have training hours up to 42 weeks or 1 year and contain pre-apprenticeship programs like the Electrical Construction Worker program.
However, you should note that trade schools are usually quite expensive. But studying in a trade school prepares you better for a 4-year program in a lineman school in Florida.
If you can afford a trade school, you are advised to consider applying for their pre-apprenticeship program.
Accreditation Associations of Lineman Schools in Florida
When it comes to getting trained to become a lineman, there are several lineman schools in Florida you can choose from.
But what’s the difference between one program over another? Which ones have your best interest at heart and will provide you with the networking opportunities needed to get you into the field as quickly as possible?
Finding out if a school is accredited is easy: just look them up on their accrediting body’s website.
There are many of these associations, so it’s important to know which one is relevant for your specific state or country. In this case, all programs in Florida are required by law to be accredited by an organization called ACCSC.
They aren’t necessarily evaluated solely on their accreditation either; instead, they must comply with each organization’s set of standards for how well-trained students are upon graduation. Not only does this ensure that programs are reputable and trustworthy, but it also helps applicants make informed decisions about which ones might suit them best.
Here are some other accreditation bodies in the lineman profession:
- Florida Department of Education Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
- Commission for Independent Education (CIE).
- National Electrical Contractors Association.
- National Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee.
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
- National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER).
- US Department of Labor.
- Some lineman schools in Florida are members of prestigious organizations like the Conseil International des Grands Réseaux Electriques and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
Requirements for Entering Lineman Schools in Florida
Florida is home to some of the top lineman schools in the country, and they’re ready to accept you into their ranks.
Whether you’re new to the idea of continuing your education or want to find out about the best lineman schools in Florida for yourself, you can learn all about them here.
- You will need to complete a high school education or GED certificate before applying for this position.
- You should have at least one year of experience operating construction equipment after completing schooling. (Remember trade schools?)
- Certification: After getting training, you must acquire certification from the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER).
- Licensure: The state of Florida requires licensure for all electricians who are involved in commercial work such as the installation of wiring devices such as switches, receptacles, light fixtures, and junction boxes.
The List of Lineman Schools in Florida
Finally, these are the best lineman schools in Florida.
- Santa Fe College Electrical Lineman Technology Program, Gainesville
- Indian River State College Powerline Worker Program, Fort Pierce
- South Florida State College Lineworker Program, Avon Park
- St. Petersburg College Powerline Worker Training Program
- Valencia College Lineman Program, Orlando
- Gulf Coast State College Powerline Worker Program, Panama City
- Northwest Lineman College, Edgewater
- Associated Builders & Contractors Institute Lineman Program
- CDA Technical Institute Lineworker Program, Jacksonville
- Lake-Sumter State College Lineman Program, Sumterville
Santa Fe College Electrical Lineman Technology Program, Gainesville
Tuition and Fees: $1,600 – $6,500.
Santa Fe College is one of the country’s oldest and largest community colleges. It has long been a leader in electrical and computer technology training and is arguably the best lineman school in Florida.
A college with more than 75 years of history, the SFC Electrical Lineman Technology Program is a highly anticipated program that prepares students for careers at electric power companies.
Since most linemen work job sites throughout the entire world, they must have the technical skills necessary to handle those jobs safely and efficiently.
Whether you want to be a lineman for an electric company in Gainesville or anywhere else in the country, this program will teach you what you need to know on the job before you start your career.
It even includes classroom instruction in math and science so that you’re ready to pass licensing exams after graduation. The cost of tuition in this school varies. Here’s their tuition and fee schedule.
If you find Santa Fe a good option, which we think you might, then go ahead and view their Lineman Program.
Indian River State College Powerline Worker Program, Fort Pierce
Tuition and Fees: $14,000 – $18,000.
IRSC is another top lineman school in Florida. However, it is one of those lineman schools in Florida with astronomical tuition fees.
IRSC delivers one of the best electrical program curriculums in Florida, and it is highly regarded as one of the best lineman schools in Florida, without any doubt.
Indian River State College’s 4-year program in Vero Beach will cover 4 courses: general studies, technical studies, industrial basics, and electrical fundamentals.
The program is designed to prepare students for jobs in distribution lines and substations as well as maintain high voltage transmission lines
Costs depend on tuition and your location; contact the school for more information about financing your education
South Florida State College Lineworker Program, Avon Park
Tuition and Fees: $2,000+.
South Florida State College offers an associate degree and a certificate in electrical technology. If you’re interested in becoming an electrical worker, the best way to get started is by completing these programs.
Once you’ve completed the program and are looking for further education or career advancement, SFSC has various online degrees available through its Center for Lifelong Learning.
You may be wondering: “why would I want to become a lineworker?” Well, aside from being a member of an elite group of workers who specialize in maintaining our nation’s electrical system—which is extremely important—lineworkers have great job security.
The need for competent linemen will never go away; it’s not like we will ever stop using electricity! This means that your compensation will be fairly consistent regardless of the company or project you choose to work for—and that people who start as linemen can expect long careers with steady raises throughout them.
View the Introductory Lineman Program.
St. Petersburg College Powerline Worker Training Program
Tuition and Fees: $6,195.
It’s time to go back to the basics of lineman training. When you get your certification, you need to make sure that the school you went to can train you. Consider the following:
- Are they accredited? It may seem like a stretch, but it’s important—accreditation can indicate that graduates can find work right away, and it also verifies that they receive proper instruction.
- Have they been around a while? This is tricky, but if they’re still in business and haven’t opened up multiple locations, then it might be worth reading up on them online (they’ve likely had more than one location). Sometimes there are clear signs of this happening, such as large increases in tuition costs or changes in their leadership team.
- What do their students say about them? Most programs have some type of customer feedback or review system for prospective students. You will want to check out what other people are saying before committing yourself (or your money) to something long-term.
However, St. Petersburg College ticks all the boxes of what a top lineman school in Florida must be. You just cannot talk about the best lineman schools in Florida without mentioning SPC.
This school trains you from a novice to a professional ready to take on any job. Additionally, their Lineman Program comes with a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) which is cool.
View the program.
Valencia College Lineman Program, Orlando
Tuition and Fees: $9,000.
Lineman programs are available at colleges all over Florida, including Valencia College. The program lasts two semesters and costs thousands of dollars, but learning how to become a lineman can be very rewarding.
You’ll need solid math skills and good eyesight; you’ll also need physical strength because working on high-voltage lines requires climbing up poles or carrying heavy equipment.
Becoming an electrician can lead to opportunities for promotion or attending school for an even higher level of study and certification as an expert in your field.
See the program.
Gulf Coast State College Powerline Worker Program, Panama City
Tuition and Fees: $4,019.
Gulf Coast State College is equally one of the top lineman schools in Florida. It is one of the oldest lineman schools in Florida.
They’ve been established in 1957 and to this day, they offer grounded training and apprenticeship programs in various degree courses like Electrical Apprenticeship for both entry-level and continuing students.
GCSC has various campus locations across the country hence, its accessibility. So, if you are looking for affordable lineman schools in Florida, then this school may be a good choice.
Northwest Lineman College, Edgewater
Tuition and Fees: $18,825.
By far the most popular lineman school in Florida, Northwest Lineman College probably has the most astronomical fee on this list of lineman schools in Florida.
They have different campus locations across the United States, including Texas and Florida. Reviews on this school, however, seem divisive – as some reviewed it to be a great career choice, while others think it is a little bit “overpriced.”
Nonetheless, the fact remains that the eponymous NLC is a great lineman school for anyone looking to begin their journey in electrical works.
And if you’re wondering, the high tuition fee is a result of multiple certifications due to your training. Graduates in NLC are trained in commercial truck driving, first aid, pole climbing, etc. NLC also boasts of the best employment rate for its students, which is not bad.
Northwest Lineman College offers online, hybrid, and campus-based programs for electricians, with an array of concentrations—everything from commercial power to industrial electronics.
Most of the program is hands-on training and there are 20 weeks of on-the-job experience. The school also has a unique program called Future Energy Entrepreneur that teaches students how to own their own business while keeping 100 per cent of the revenue they earn while working out of the school’s offices.
Northwest Lineman College has an A-rating by the Better Business Bureau and over a decade worth of satisfied graduates. Students have access to financial aid if they qualify and can pay in monthly installments if need be.
Associated Builders & Contractors Institute Lineman Program
Tuition and Fees: $5,000+.
Located in the Gulf Coast city of Tampa, ABC is surely one of the lineman schools in Florida that make a case. ABC is one of the lineman schools in Florida that train students from cradle to professionalism.
In this school, you will first need to complete an NCCER-certified online course before you can sign up for admission into the school. The online course will teach you basic safety skills and prepare you for an elaborate apprenticeship program as a lineman.
If you’re ready to start a career as an electrician and want to work in the sunshine state, it’s important to know where there are good lineman schools in Florida that can get you started. The ABC Lineman Training Program at the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) in Florida is a four-year program that trains students on how to wire buildings and handle hazardous situations.
It also prepares them for their journeyman license exam, the test they’ll need to pass before becoming a licensed professional electrician. The course duration is a whopping 8,000 hours.
The school is recognized by both NCCER (the National Center for Construction Education and Research) and ABC, which means your education will be top-notch.
Students here learn about topics like electrical theory, fire safety codes, safety precautions during live-line operations, and performing repair work on residential electrical systems.
If you’ve recently graduated from high school or have at least one year of hands-on experience working with electricity already under your belt, now may be the time for you to learn what it takes to become a pro lineman in the Sunshine State! You can learn all you need to become a great lineman in this school.
You can begin your apprenticeship journey with the NCCER Online course.
CDA Technical Institute Lineworker Program, Jacksonville
Tuition and Fees: Not Specified, but estimated to be $10,622 on a national average.
CDA Technical Institute offers an excellent lineworker training program that is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).
Students will learn the skills and techniques needed to successfully perform as a lineman at their own pace and in an environment that is suited for their needs. CDA also grants credits for courses at other ACCSC-accredited schools, making this a flexible school with a lot of options.
In addition, it should be noted that students who graduate from this program are eligible to have 100% of their tuition reimbursed by the VA through its vocational rehabilitation program.
The Jacksonville campus where this program is offered boasts of modern teaching facilities, small class sizes, flexible schedules, helpful staff members, and all of the resources necessary to help you succeed.
View their Voltage Lineworker Program.
Lake-Sumter State College Lineman Program, Sumterville
Tuition and Fees: Up to $18,000. Learn more.
Got a knack for climbing? If so, then you could be on your way to an exciting career in electrical line work! The Lake-Sumter State College Electrical Lineman Program has been helping students like you do just that since 1999.
It is one of the lineman schools in Florida that offers courses part-time, this two-year program can help you get started. LSSC is one of the top lineman schools in Florida, and it is fully accredited by the appropriate education bodies.
Lake-Sumter State College Electrical Lineman Technology Program will teach you the skills necessary to begin a career as an electric lineman.
You’ll learn how to operate hand tools used by linemen, identify injuries and illnesses associated with working at high altitudes, and understand the principles of electricity as they apply to electric power distribution systems.
Upon completing the program, you should be prepared to work in the field of electric line installation. You might also decide to continue your education by enrolling in a bachelor’s degree program or taking additional classes at Lake-Sumter State College or another institution of higher education.
If you’re ready for an exciting new journey that may take you across the country one day, contact Lake-Sumter State College today!
Wrapping It Up
If you’re looking to attend a lineman school in Florida, there are many options to choose from. To choose the right school for you, it’s important to consider things like tuition, location, and reputation.
Albeit, if you want to get a good education on the lineman trade, then these are the ten lineman schools in Florida that you must consider attending.
Of course, these top schools are not the only lineman schools in Florida that provide electrical lineman training, but they do provide an excellent opportunity for students to become well-versed in the art of being journeymen linemen.
What are your thoughts about the lineman schools in Florida?
Editor’s Pick
- Lineman Schools in Texas; Tuition & Requirements
- 14 Best Physical Therapy Schools in Florida|Tuition & Key Info.
- How to become a massage therapist in Florida|8 Best Steps
- Top Physical Therapy Assistant Schools in Florida