Electrician Hourly Pay in Watertown, NY: $38.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrician working in Watertown, NY runs $38.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $80,215 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2111). Weighted against Watertown's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.7, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,124 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Watertown, NY, electricians earn a median hourly rate of $38.56, significantly higher than the national median of $31.02. This difference indicates a robust demand for electrical professionals in the region, catering to diverse environments such as commercial and industrial construction sites, utility services, and residential work. For part-time electricians working three days a week, this hourly rate translates into a solid income, making positions at $22.15 (entry-level) to $46.06 (top earners) attractive options. The BLS data for 2026 reflects the critical role electricians play in maintaining and developing electrical systems throughout the community, whether through self-employed contractor service trucks or working in manufacturing plant electrical rooms.
Electrician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.15 | $177.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.59 | $220.74 |
| Median (P50) | $38.56 | $308.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.61 | $348.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.06 | $368.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Watertown
Based on $38.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.56/hr, a electrician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Watertown, NY can expect to earn approximately $80,206 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,273. With a cost-of-living index of 87.69 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Watertown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Watertown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,542.42 | $6,684 | $80,206 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $925.45 | $4,010 | $48,124 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $616.97 | $2,674 | $32,082 |
Compare ELEC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrician (Watertown) | $38.56 |
| Plumber (National Avg) | $32.85 |
| HVAC Technician (National Avg) | $28.47 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic (National Avg) | $29.53 |
| Solar PV Installer (National Avg) | $24.85 |
Electricians in Watertown, NY earn a median of $80,215 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.31% higher than the national median of $64,530 and 2.20% above the New York state average of $78,489.
Electrician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.56/hr = $48,124/year (purchasing power: $54,879).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $80,206/year (purchasing power: $91,465).
CoL index: 87.69 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.13/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.56/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electricians in Watertown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.13/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.92/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electricians in Watertown grew 17.5% from $32.13/hr (2019) to $37.76/hr (2025). At a 2.12% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.38/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem electricians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Watertown metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.12% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Electrician in Watertown
For those considering part-time work, an electrician’s potential earnings can vary widely. A three-day workweek totaling 24 hours could yield around $46,000 annually, as opposed to a full-time electrician benefiting from more consistent pay schedules. In addition to regular salaries, per diem opportunities for travel electricians on out-of-town projects provide lucrative options that can range from $35 to $60 per hour, supplemented by daily per diem allowances between $80 and $150. Moreover, field-specific demands create divergent pay scales based on employer types; union positions often provide higher compensation as IBEW contractors supplement hourly pay with benefits, while non-union roles may offer lower pay with fewer benefits. Electricians should carefully weigh the trade-offs of hourly rates versus health insurance and retirement plans and be prepared to negotiate effectively within the Watertown market to secure the best possible compensation.
More salary data for Watertown, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst
Career Analyst
Samuel Carter has over 10 years of experience as an electrician. His focus includes residential wiring and safety standards. He has worked in various construction firms.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.12% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for electricians in Watertown. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.12%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electricians (SOC 47-2111).
Compiled and verified by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst, a licensed electrician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov