What it takes to earn $100K a year as an electrician in New York City
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Vernica Martinez, forty, was born in Fordham Row and raised in Bronx.
“It’s a dangerous neighborhood with a lot criminality and lots of drugs,” she said. “I was desperate to flee the Bronx.”
Martinez started when she was twelve years old and was placed in foster care, then later into juvenile detention. When she was 12, her father and mother both died.
She recalls that she was freed February 16, 1999. My mother always told me, “I would rather go to sleep knowing that I’m safe and where my body is,” she said. Since then, I have been an upright citizen.”
Martinez, her children and husband live about an hour from Orange County’s Bronx, New York. She makes $51 per hour working as a journeywoman electrical contractor. She says her career helped to pave the way for her positive life.
“It was tough, growing up in the Bronx — tough streets. But I survived. It was possible, she said. “The lessons I’ve learned have helped me to succeed later in my life.”
Martinez did it. Here are the steps to get over $100,000 annually as an electrician in New York City.
Finding the right job
Martinez, who was then 17 years old, was released by the juvenile system and was planning to finish high school at an institution that was more traditional when she found out she was pregnant. Martinez’s mother completed all paperwork necessary to be able to take her GED and start working at the local Food Emporium as a cashier.
Martinez shares that after having her daughter, things started turning around for him. “I worked in a shelter for single mothers, with their infants. I realized that my daughter relied on me. I made every effort to ensure that I was there for her.”
She says, “I knew her deserve the world. I was going to die trying to give it. My daughter saved me from certain death because she was my only child. I loved having her. It allowed me to be completely focused on her and make sure she has the best life.
Martinez, her daughter and young son were waiting near Times Square for the bus when they saw an advertisement. Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW) — a New York-based organization that prepares, trains and places women in careers in skilled construction, utility and maintenance trades.
She recalls that she saw the billboard at the bus stop and was struck by its beauty. It had the little pull tabs on it, so I took that off and said “When I reach my mom’s house I will call them.” After I reached them, they gave me an overview and told me that I could come to the open house. The rest is history.
Martinez was the first to join NEW’s Program. He earned approximately $15 an hour and joined a general labor union.
“Over time I saw what laborer work was because each day that I was in pain or tired I would go home and hurt. [Meanwhile]She says that the electricians laughed out of the door, and she called NEW’s apprentice director.
In February 2002, she started an electrical apprenticeship program for six months and worked as a labourer in order to make more money. Around June 2002, Martinez worked her first job as an electrical apprentice for New York’s Local 3 electrical union and was paid about $26 per hour — a rate she says was higher than typical apprentice wages.
It was huge money to me as a 19-year-old mother of an infant child. She laughs and says, “I thought I was wealthy.”
Martinez was a journeywoman electrical contractor for approximately six years. Her hourly rate is closer to $51
Martinez, an electrician apprentice in Local 3, met Matthew her husband. When they found out they live near one another, the couple began to take trains together and soon became good friends. They wore the clothes they had worn to work on their first date.
Martinez claims he’s her knight in shining armour and credits her friends for her success.
“I had a great support system, I call them ‘My village’ — my best friends,” she says. They made sure I completed the apprenticeship. If my daughter had to pick me up from school, or if I was unable to do the job myself, they took it in turns. My support system was my best friend.
Working for a day
Martinez is a journeywoman electrical engineer and works Monday through Friday. Martinez wakes up at around 3:00 am to pick her little girl up from daycare, before taking the 4:20 bus to Port Authority.
Arriving at Port Authority at 5:45, she walks or uses the subway to get to her current work in Greenwich Village. On her way, she always makes a stop to grab a butter roll or a cup of coffee.
Her arrival at work is at 6:15 am. She can then eat breakfast at the site and get ready for her day.
Martinez is provided with a blueprint by the project manager that shows where cables and devices should be located. The blueprint is followed closely by the project foreman, who collects every cable and tie she needs.
Martinez takes an 8:45 AM coffee break, and around noon, she usually has a lunch break. She usually ends her day at 2:15 pm.
She says, “The day can be very short especially when you have work to do.” “Mondays usually fly by. Sometimes it feels like the time is flying when I work. You know, when it is lunchtime but everyone has gone home, I am still working, losing time. It’s a feeling I enjoy: When I am able to do steady work without getting bored.
Every night she strives to get to bed no later than 9 p.m.
“My goal to beat Jeopardy!” To bed each night. If I get up before “Jeopardy!” “I’m happy,” she said. I avoid overtime. It’s not possible for me to do overtime if it is available. I prefer being home with my children.
Vernica Martinez with her two children
It’s a great thing to work for
Martinez believes that electricians have many financial advantages over the hard work.
The benefits as well as the cash are what the pros include. [Plus]It’s great to be an electrician because almost everyone in the world can live without us.” she said, noting both the job security that is inherent in this high-demand profession and the fulfillment of providing services people actually need. The most rewarding part of a job for me is to start something, finish it and see the results.
Martinez claims that she is a member of her local union and has excellent health insurance. She also receives retirement benefits. Her union’s transparency in pay has allowed her to feel secure about what she is getting paid.
But she acknowledges the physical strain of being an electrician. Working conditions also vary depending on weather and where it is located.
According to her, the cons of the business include the physical demands that can sometimes take a toll on the body. Sometimes I get home filthy, and my first instinct is to go into the shower.
Trotz these obstacles, she claims her job gave her an inner sense of pride and freedom.
Martinez says, “This job has allowed me to do everything that I never thought possible… from buying my home to driving the car to sending my oldest daughter off to college.” It’s hard to believe that I could have chosen this career path from where I come. [my path]In general, however, I was happy to listen and pay attention to the little things.
“I’m proud to know my history and the struggles I have gone through in order to reach where I am today.
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