Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics vs Electrical Power-Line Installers (Linemen)
Side-by-side comparison of salary, job growth, and training requirements based on BLS data.
Overview
Both Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics and Electrical Power-Line Installers offer solid blue-collar careers with strong job security. Equipment mechanics earn a median $63,980 annually with 5.5% growth projected, working on construction machinery, bulldozers, and excavators. Linemen command higher pay at $92,560 median with 8.8% growth, installing and maintaining electrical power systems. Equipment mechanics need 2-4 years training through trade school and certifications. Linemen require 4-5 years through formal apprenticeships. Both trades demand technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and physical stamina. The $28,580 salary difference reflects linemen's specialized skills and higher risks working with high-voltage electricity.
Salary Breakdown
Linemen hold a significant salary advantage with $92,560 median versus equipment mechanics' $63,980 — that's nearly $30,000 more annually. Entry-level equipment mechanics start around $45,000, topping out near $85,000 with experience. Linemen begin closer to $55,000 but can reach $120,000+ with overtime and storm work. Linemen's overtime potential during emergencies and natural disasters significantly boosts earning power. Equipment mechanics earn steady wages with occasional project-based overtime. Both trades offer performance bonuses and specialty certifications that increase pay rates.
Work Environment
Equipment mechanics primarily work outdoors on construction sites, mines, and equipment yards, with some shop-based repair work. Expect varied locations, moderate travel, and standard business hours with occasional emergency calls. Physical demands include heavy lifting, crawling, and working in confined spaces. Linemen face more extreme conditions — working at heights up to 100+ feet, in all weather, with high-voltage electricity. Storm restoration requires 16-hour days and extensive travel. Both trades involve safety risks, but linemen face potentially fatal electrical hazards requiring constant vigilance and strict safety protocols.
Career Growth
Equipment mechanics can specialize in specific machinery types, advance to shop foreman or service manager roles, or start independent repair businesses. Top mechanics become manufacturer trainers or technical specialists. Linemen progress from apprentice to journeyman to crew leader, with paths into substation work, transmission specialists, or supervisor positions. Both trades offer business ownership opportunities — mechanics through repair shops, linemen through contracting services. Linemen generally have higher earning ceilings due to specialized skills and union representation. Both can transition into sales, training, or inspection roles later in their careers.
Who should choose Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics?
Choose equipment mechanics if you love diagnosing complex mechanical problems and working with your hands on varied machinery. This fits people who prefer more predictable schedules, enjoy the satisfaction of getting broken equipment running again, and want diverse work environments. Good for those who like independent problem-solving, don't mind getting dirty, and prefer ground-level work. If you're mechanically inclined, detail-oriented, and want solid pay without extreme physical risks or extensive apprenticeships, equipment mechanics offers great career satisfaction.
Typical path: Trade school + manufacturer certifications; on-the-job training
Explore Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics →Who should choose Electrical Power-Line Installers (Linemen)?
Choose linemen work if you're comfortable with heights, thrive under pressure, and want maximum earning potential in the trades. This career suits people who don't mind irregular schedules, can handle physically demanding work, and are willing to travel for storm restoration. Perfect for those who want brotherhood-style teamwork, take pride in keeping communities powered, and can commit to lengthy apprenticeships. If you're safety-conscious, physically strong, and motivated by higher pay that reflects higher risks and specialized skills, linemen work offers excellent rewards.
Typical path: IBEW/NEAT apprenticeship or lineman school; CDL required
Explore Electrical Power-Line Installers (Linemen) →The Bottom Line
Both are recession-proof careers with strong futures. Choose equipment mechanics for steady work-life balance with good pay. Choose linemen for maximum earning potential and willingness to embrace higher risks and demands for premium compensation.