Making $100,000 a year as an electrician in New York City

Vernica Martinez, Electrician

Growing up was tough. I knew I wanted to hurry up to get out, get out of the Bronx. Tough streets. But I survived. I made it.

My name is Vernica Martinez. They call me V. 40 years old. Born and raised in the Bronx, and I am a Local three journeywoman electrician. I expect to make at least $100,000 this year.

As a local three apprentice, I made $11.25 an hour. Now, as a journeywoman, I make $58 an hour. I grew up in the Fordham Road section of the Bronx, which is like right across the street from Fordham University.

My high school years were nontraditional. From the time I was 12, I went to school in the system. And I got pregnant on my 18th birthday. I kind of knew that I didn't want to go to school anymore. Every decision that I made from the time she was born was all for her. Looking at her, I knew she deserved the world and I was going to like die trying to give it to her. And she was the reason, my daughter, she was. I tell her, she saved my life, having her, because I was able to focus just on her and making sure she had the best life possible.

I like working with my hands, so I figured, you know, I could give this construction thing a try.

I didn't know I wanted to be electrician right away. I really was had my heart set on being a laborer because my father was a laborer. Every day I was going home in pain. I was tired, I was hurting, and I was like, the electricians was laughing out the door, clean, and so I was like, "Maybe I'll be an electrician."

When you are an apprentice, you like you don't have no say. It's like you're the lowest man on the totem pole. You know, you're there to learn. But as a journeyman, you pretty much just answer to your foreman. You know, you don't have to listen to nobody and then you have an apprentice or a helper. You kind of teach them and tell them what to do, so to say.