Elevator Mechanic
The highest-paid trade in the building.
Median Salary
$99,000
Apprenticeship
4–5 years
Union Presence
Strong
Physical Demand
Moderate
Job Demand
Moderate
Elevator mechanics (also called elevator constructors or technicians) install, maintain, and repair elevators, escalators, and moving walkways. The trade has the highest median wage of any construction or extraction occupation in the BLS dataset, with strong union protection and virtually guaranteed employment.
What Elevator Mechanics Earn
National data — Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS
25th Percentile
$68,570
Entry level
Median
$99,000
Mid-career
75th Percentile
$121,730
Experienced
90th Percentile
$138,000
Top earners
Salary by State
Teal bars = above national median · Blue bars = below national median · Source: BLS OEWS
Career Path
From day one to running your own operation
Elevator Constructor Apprentice
$45,000–$70,000Years 0–5
Complete a rigorous 4–5 year IUEC union apprenticeship. The program covers electrical theory, hydraulics, mechanical systems, and safety regulations for elevator equipment. Competition for spots is intense.
Journeyperson Elevator Constructor
$90,000–$130,000Years 5–12
Install and modernize elevator systems in commercial and residential buildings. Journeyperson wages in major markets often exceed $100,000 — with overtime, $120,000–$140,000 is common.
Elevator Service Technician
$90,000–$125,000Years 5+
Transition to maintenance and service contracts on existing elevator portfolios. Service techs carry their own territory of buildings and earn strong wages with reliable hours.
Supervisor / Project Manager
$110,000–$160,000+Years 10+
Move into supervising installation or service crews, or into project management for a major elevator manufacturer (Otis, Schindler, KONE, TK Elevator).
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- ✓Highest median wage of any trade in the BLS database
- ✓Extremely strong IUEC union with best-in-class benefits and pension
- ✓Indoors work in climate-controlled buildings
- ✓Service work creates stable, ongoing employment — elevators always need maintenance
- ✓Small, close-knit industry with very low turnover
Challenges
- ✕Apprenticeship spots are limited and very competitive — waitlists are common
- ✕Work in elevator shafts can be physically confined and occasionally claustrophobic
- ✕On-call service responsibilities mean some nights and weekend availability
- ✕The trade is geographically concentrated in urban areas with tall buildings
How to Get Started
Step-by-step path into the elevator mechanic trade
- 1
Apply to your local IUEC (iuec.org) as soon as possible — the International Union of Elevator Constructors has limited spots and real waitlists.
Browse IUEC apprenticeships → - 2
Apply early and be persistent — most candidates aren't accepted on the first try. Following up with your local hall matters.
- 3
A background in electrical work significantly strengthens your application. Even one semester of coursework helps.
Find electrical programs → - 4
Some major manufacturers (Otis, Schindler, KONE) run non-union trainee programs — a solid alternative if the union waitlist is long.
Find hiring companies →
Get the Free Elevator Mechanic Salary Guide
Median wages for elevator mechanics across all 50 states, pulled directly from BLS data. Free, no strings.
Elevator Mechanic Licensing & Salary by State
Requirements vary by state. Select yours to see local wages, licensing steps, and programs near you.