How much do electricians make in New York in 2026?

Electricians in New York earn a median $78,750 a year, or about $37.86 an hour, based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. That puts New York well above the national median for the trade. Whether you're just finishing your apprenticeship or running a crew, here's exactly where you stand.

Entry-level and lower-tier electricians — the bottom 25 percent — earn $60,480 a year, roughly $29.08 an hour. That's the starting zone for workers who are new to journeyman status or working in less-dense parts of the state. It's a livable wage, but there's significant room to move up.

The middle of the pack earns $78,750 annually, or $37.86 an hour. This is your experienced journeyman working steadily in residential, commercial, or light industrial settings across the state. Most full-time electricians with a few years of solid work behind them land somewhere in this range.

Electricians in the top 25 percent clear $106,420 a year — that's $51.16 an hour. These are workers with deep experience, specialty skills in areas like industrial controls or high-voltage systems, or those taking on foreman and lead roles on larger jobs.

Union journeymen in New York are at the top of the pay structure. A union card here is worth $122,720 a year, or $59.00 an hour. New York City's IBEW locals, particularly Local 3, negotiate some of the strongest contracts in the country. That figure doesn't include benefits like pension contributions and health coverage, which can add substantial value on top of the base wage.

Geography matters inside New York State. New York City and the surrounding metro area drive wages higher — costs are higher and union density is stronger there. Electricians working upstate in Buffalo, Rochester, or Syracuse will generally see pay closer to the median or lower-quartile range. If you're deciding where to work, the borough or county you land in can shift your annual pay by $20,000 or more.

Specialization also moves the needle. Electricians licensed for high-voltage work, fire alarm systems, or data center infrastructure consistently earn above the median. A master electrician license opens the door to running your own shop or taking on projects that pay at the top-quartile rate and beyond.

The path from $29 an hour to $59 an hour is real in New York — it runs through a completed apprenticeship, your journeyman license, years of consistent work, and for many, a union dispatch hall.