Optional · 1 of 2

Tickets that raise your rate

• Live-line and bare-hand certification

  Working on energized high-voltage lines from an insulated bucket. The top of the trade in skill and pay.

• Transmission line work

  The big steel towers. Often helicopter access, remote camps and premium rates.

• Underground cable splicing

  Cities are burying lines. Splicers are scarce.

• Crew leader and supervisor

  Utilities promote from within. Foreperson roles push past $130,000.