Electrician in Rochester, NY

As a career analyst who’s lived in Rochester for over a decade, I can tell you that the electrician trade here isn't just about wiring houses—it's about wiring the city itself. From the historic brownstones in the Park Ave neighborhood to the sprawling campuses of the University of Rochester and Rochester Regional Health, the work is constant. This guide cuts through the fluff and gives you the data-driven, on-the-ground truth about what it means to be an electrician in the 585.

The Salary Picture: Where Rochester Stands

Let's start with the numbers that matter. According to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for the Rochester, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), the median annual salary for electricians is $61,125, which breaks down to a median hourly rate of $29.39. This is slightly below the national average of $61,550, but don't let that fool you. The cost of living in Rochester is what makes this salary incredibly strong.

The Rochester metro, with a population of 207,264, supports 621 electrician jobs, and the 10-year job growth is projected at a healthy 11%. This growth is driven by two key factors: the ongoing need to maintain our aging infrastructure (many of Rochester's homes were built pre-1950) and the expansion of healthcare and tech facilities.

Here’s how salaries typically break down by experience level in the local market:

Experience Level	Typical Years	Hourly Rate Range	Annual Salary Range
Entry-Level / Apprentice	0-2 years	$18 - $22	$37,440 - $45,760
Mid-Level / Journeyman	2-5 years	$25 - $32	$52,000 - $66,560
Senior / Lead	5-10 years	$33 - $40	$68,640 - $83,200
Expert / Master / Foreman	10+ years	$40 - $55+	$83,200 - $114,400+

Insider Tip: The jump from Journeyman to Senior/Lead is where you'll see the biggest local salary increase. Union shops (Local 86) often have a higher base but non-union residential and commercial contractors can offer overtime and bonuses that push experienced electricians well above the median.

How Rochester Compares to Other NY Cities:

• NYC Metro: Median is ~$95,000. The pay is higher, but the cost of living is over 200% higher than Rochester.
• Buffalo Metro: Median is ~$60,500. Very similar to Rochester, but the job market is slightly smaller.
• Albany Capital Region: Median is ~$62,000. A very close competitor, with more state government jobs.
• Syracuse: Median is ~$59,000. Slightly lower, with a smaller metro population.

Rochester offers a sweet spot: strong wages relative to the cost of living, with a diverse job market that buffers against economic downturns in any single sector.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A $61,125 salary sounds solid, but what does it actually mean for your bank account? Let's break it down for a single electrician living in a typical 1-bedroom apartment.

Assumptions:

• Gross Annual Salary: $61,125
• Filing Status: Single, standard deduction
• Taxes (Est.): Federal, State (NY), FICA (Social Security & Medicare). Approx. 25-28% total burden. We'll use $17,115/year ($1,426/month) for a 28% effective rate.
• Rochester Average 1BR Rent: $1,050/month (as per city context)
• Utilities: ~$120/month (electric, gas, internet, sewer/water)
• Car Insurance: ~$110/month (NY has high rates)
• Groceries & Personal: ~$350/month

Monthly Budget Breakdown:

Category	Cost	Notes
Gross Monthly Pay	$5,094	($61,125 / 12)
- Taxes (Est.)	-$1,426	This is the biggest cut.
= Net Take-Home (After Tax)	$3,668	This is your "real" money.
- Rent (Avg 1BR)	-$1,050	You can find cheaper/better, but this is the average.
- Utilities	-$120	Rochester winters mean a higher gas bill.
- Car Insurance	-$110	Non-negotiable in a car-dependent city.
- Groceries	-$350	Price Chopper, Wegmans, Aldi are the local staples.
- Car Payment/Gas	-$400	Assume a modest used car and a 30-min commute.
- Miscellaneous	-$300	Phone, clothes, entertainment.
= Remaining for Savings/Debt	$1,338	This is a very healthy margin.

Can They Afford to Buy a Home?
Yes, absolutely. This is Rochester's biggest advantage. The median home price in the Rochester metro is around $200,000. With a $1,338 monthly surplus, a $61,125 salary can comfortably support a mortgage of $1,200-$1,400/month, which is typical for a 20% down payment on a $200k home. Neighborhoods like Charlotte (on the lake), Brewerton, or Penfield offer single-family homes well within this range. For a journeyman electrician, buying a first home within 2-3 years of moving here is a realistic and common goal.

Where the Jobs Are: Rochester's Major Employers

The job market is diversified, which is great for stability. You're not tied to one industry.

1. Union Contractor - The O'Neil Group (Local 86): This is the big one. They handle massive projects at the University of Rochester, Rochester Regional Health, and the new Rochester Downtown Gateway. They offer the best benefits package (pension, annuity, full healthcare) but you must go through the union hall. Hiring is often seasonal based on project starts.
2. Rochester Regional Health (RRH): As one of the area's largest employers, RRH has an in-house facilities team. They need electricians for ongoing maintenance and renovations at Rochester General Hospital (on Lake Ave) and Unity Hospital (in Greece). These are stable, salaried positions with great benefits and on-call rotation.
3. University of Rochester: The university is a city within a city. Their facilities management team is always hiring. Projects range from historic building preservation on the River Campus to new lab construction for the Medical Center. They value institutional knowledge and long-term employment.
4. M&T Bank (Rochester HQ): M&T is a major employer for commercial and branch work. Their in-house team and contracted projects provide steady work, especially in downtown Rochester and the suburbs of Brighton and Pittsford.
5. Brennan & Co. | Corning Incorporated: While Corning's HQ is in Corning, their major optical and photonics manufacturing facilities are in Henrietta and Painted Post. These are high-tech, clean-room environments requiring specialized industrial electricians, often with premium pay.
6. Residential & Small Commercial: Companies like Bencal Electric and A. O. Smith Electric are local fixtures. They handle everything from wiring new homes in Spencerport to upgrade panels in Park Ave historic homes. This is where you learn the trade from the ground up.
7. Industrial - Eastman Business Park: This massive complex in Gates houses Kodak, DuPont, and other manufacturers. It's a hub for industrial maintenance electricians. The work is shift-based, often with overtime, and pays well for the area.

Hiring Trend: The most in-demand roles right now are for journeyman electricians with 2-5 years of experience who can work on both commercial and residential projects. The healthcare and university sectors are growing, so any experience in those environments is a huge plus.

Getting Licensed in NY

New York State has a clear but rigorous path to becoming a licensed electrician. It's not a "quick-start" state; it requires a formal apprenticeship.

Step-by-Step:

1. Find an Apprenticeship (4-5 Years): You must work under a licensed electrician. The most common path is through the NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center (Local 86). It's a 5-year program combining 1,000 hours of classroom instruction per year with 8,000 hours of on-the-job training. You get paid while you learn.
2. Alternative Paths: You can also apply for an apprenticeship through non-union contractors or the state's "letter of qualification" path, but it's harder to set up. The union program is the most structured.
3. Becoming a Journeyman: After completing your apprenticeship and passing the state exam, you become a licensed Journeyman Electrician. This allows you to work independently.
4. Becoming a Master Electrician: To start your own business or supervise others, you need a Master Electrician license. This requires 10 years of experience as a journeyman (or a degree in electrical engineering) and passing a much harder exam.

Costs & Timeline:

• Apprenticeship: Costs are minimal. You pay for tools and books (~$500-1,000 total). Your wages start at ~50% of journeyman rate and increase yearly.
• Exam Fee: The NYS licensing exam fee is approximately $150.
• Licensing Fee: The initial journeyman license fee is about $200.
• Total Time from Apprentice to Journeyman: 5 years minimum. This is the standard, non-negotiable timeline in New York.

Insider Tip: The practical exam in New York includes a hands-on component where you must wire a specific circuit to code. Practice your pipe bending and wire pulls—it's not just a written test.

Best Neighborhoods for Electricians

Where you live affects your commute, lifestyle, and budget. Here are the best bets for an electrician:

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Why It's Good for Electricians	Avg. 1BR Rent
Park Ave / South Wedge	Urban, walkable, young professional. 10-15 min drive to downtown jobs.	Proximity to high-end residential upgrades and historic home renovations. Great for networking.	$1,100 - $1,300
Brewerton / Clay (North)	Suburban, family-friendly. 20-25 min drive to downtown, 15 min to industrial parks in Gates.	Affordable housing, easy access to I-81 and the Thruway for jobs in Syracuse or Canada.	$900 - $1,100
Brighton / Pittsford	Affluent suburb. 15-20 min drive to U of R or RRH.	High-income residential work and major institutional employers (U of R, RRH) are right here.	$1,200 - $1,500
Charlotte / Lake Ave	Lakefront, mixed, slightly gritty. 10-15 min to downtown.	Being on the lake means older housing stock needing constant electrical updates. Good for side work.	$950 - $1,150

Insider Tip: If you get a job with the University of Rochester or RRH, consider living in Brighton. The commute is short, and you're in the heart of the suburbs where most of the service work is.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Rochester, your career path can go several ways:

• Specialty Premiums:
  • Industrial Maintenance: +$5-$10/hour over residential/commercial. Requires specialized training in PLCs, motor controls, and high-voltage systems. Eastman Business Park and Corning are the key employers.
  • Fire Alarm / Life Safety Systems: +$3-$7/hour. A growing field with certification requirements. All healthcare and commercial buildings need these systems.
  • Renewable Energy / Solar: The Rochester area is investing in solar. There's a growing niche for electricians who can install and maintain PV systems, though the market is smaller than in sunny states.
• Advancement Paths:
  1. Foreman/Project Manager: Move from tools to management. Requires strong communication and organizational skills. Pay jumps to the $80,000-$100,000 range.
  2. Estimator: Move into the office. You'll review blueprints and calculate material/labor costs. Stable, salaried position.
  3. Business Owner: After getting your Master license, you can open your own shop. The market is competitive but has room for a reliable, small-scale residential specialist.
• 10-Year Outlook: The 11% job growth is solid. The push for energy efficiency (NYSERDA programs) will create demand for electricians to perform home energy audits and upgrades. The aging workforce means many journeymen will retire, opening up positions. Your long-term security is high if you keep your skills current.

The Verdict: Is Rochester Right for You?

Pros	Cons
High purchasing power – Your salary goes far, especially for homes.	Long, gray winters – Can affect your mood and sometimes slow down outdoor work.
Stable, diversified job market – Healthcare, education, manufacturing.	State taxes & bureaucracy – NYS licensing and taxes are a reality.
Strong union presence (Local 86) – Excellent benefits and pensions.	Car-dependent city – You need a reliable vehicle for most jobs.
Short commutes – 15-25 minutes is typical, even from suburbs.	Rust Belt legacy – Some areas are economically depressed, which can affect property values.
Four distinct seasons, great outdoor recreation – Lakes, parks, trails.	Winters are real – Snow and ice can impact work schedules, especially for service electricians.

Final Recommendation: Rochester is an excellent choice for a mid-career electrician (journeyman level) looking for a stable career and a home they can afford. It's not the place for someone seeking nightlife or a fast-paced coastal vibe. But for a tradesperson who values work-life balance, financial security, and a community with deep roots, Rochester is a hidden gem. If you're willing to put in the time to get licensed and embrace the seasonal lifestyle, the long-term payoff is exceptional.

FAQs

1. Do I need to join the union to find work in Rochester?
No, but it helps immensely. The IBEW Local 86 controls a large portion of commercial and industrial work, especially on big projects. Non-union shops dominate the residential sector. Many electricians start non-union and later join the union for the benefits. You can have a successful career either way.

2. How's the overtime?
It's common, especially in industrial and commercial sectors. Union contractors often have busy seasons (spring/summer) with mandatory overtime. In healthcare and facilities, you'll be on an on-call rotation, which means extra pay for nights and weekends. It's a good way to boost your income.

3. Is Rochester a good place for side work?
Yes, with caution. The housing stock is old, so neighbors and friends will constantly ask for help with small jobs. This can be a great source of extra cash ($500-$1,000/month). However, remember you must be licensed and insured for any side work. The local market is small enough that word gets around—reputation is everything.

4. What's the worst part about being an electrician here?
The winter. Waking up to dig out your van at 6 AM in January is no fun. Also, working in unfinished, freezing basements of older homes can be brutal. The best part? The summers are gorgeous, and you're often working outdoors or in air-conditioned spaces.

5. How do I get started if I'm moving from another state?
First, contact the NYS Department of State's Licensing Services to see if your out-of-state hours and experience can count toward your NYS requirement. It's a case-by-case basis. Then, reach out to the IBEW Local 86 or local non-union contractors to find a sponsor for your apprenticeship or to see if you can test directly for journeyman (if you have equivalent experience). Don't move without a job or a solid lead; the market is good but competitive.