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Elevator mechanic: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$109,910median pay per year, or $52.84 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $59,270lowest 10% earn less
  2. $79,29025th percentile
  3. $109,910median
  4. $135,72075th percentile
  5. $158,890top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

An elevator mechanic earned a median of $109,910 a year in May 2025[1], and jobs are projected to grow 5.7% from 2025 to 2035[2]. The usual way in is an apprenticeship, not a college degree[3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+5.7%[2]
Openings per year
1,900[6]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[3]

How much do elevator mechanics make?

The median wage for Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers, the official BLS category, was $109,910 a year, or $52.84 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. The average was close, at $109,820 a year and $52.80 an hour[7]. For comparison, the median for all occupations in the US was $50,980[5].

Pay varies a lot from one worker to the next. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $59,270 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $158,890[4]. BLS does not publish a starting salary. It publishes percentile wages, which are boundaries between groups of workers[8].

Measure Annual wage Hourly wage
10th percentile[4][9] $59,270 $28.49
25th percentile[4][9] $79,290 $38.12
Median[1] $109,910 $52.84
75th percentile[4][9] $135,720 $65.25
90th percentile[4][9] $158,890 $76.39

These figures cover workers paid a wage or salary. They leave out self-employed people and do not include bonuses that are not tied to production or the cost of benefits such as health insurance[10].

Pay by state and city

BLS published state medians for 36 states and DC[11]. The three highest were Maine at $143,690, Nevada at $141,950 and California at $141,180[11]. Maine's figure rests on only 110 jobs[11].

The most jobs were in New York (3,470), Florida (2,790), Texas (2,030), California (1,910) and Illinois (1,080)[12]. Among those, the medians were $135,720 in New York, $104,730 in Florida and $102,140 in Texas[11].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, the highest medians were in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $168,270, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN at $146,580 and Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV at $141,920[13]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ area had the most jobs at 3,270, followed by Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL at 1,050[14].

Show median pay in 36 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Maine[11]$143,690110
Nevada$141,950510
California$141,1801,910
Oregon$138,600230
Massachusetts$138,420n/a
New Jersey$137,920800
Washington$137,180540
New York$135,7203,470
Illinois$133,6901,080
Minnesota$128,020550
Missouri$126,750450
Colorado$123,360530
District of Columbia$122,570n/a
Maryland$122,260810
Nebraska$117,690140
Pennsylvania$117,250900
South Dakota$116,320n/a
Iowa$115,30090
Virginia$108,250280
North Carolina$107,700240
Oklahoma$105,430140
Ohio$105,020690
Florida$104,7302,790
Alabama$103,700170
Texas$102,1402,030
Tennessee$100,490700
Michigan$99,140560
Indiana$92,390120
South Carolina$90,860540
Montana$90,37040
Kansas$84,76070
Georgia$83,500640
Utah$81,060280
Wisconsin$77,640370
New Mexico$71,430110
Arkansas$61,53060
Kentucky$42,670n/a

How to become an elevator mechanic

BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education, no work experience in a related job, and an apprenticeship as the typical training[3]. Here is the path in order[3]:

1) Finish high school or get an equivalent. Classes in math, mechanical drawing and physics may help[15]. 2) Complete an apprenticeship. A career in this field typically begins with a 4-year program sponsored by a union, an industry association or an employer[16]. Each year, apprentices complete set hours of technical instruction and paid training on the job[16]. Topics include safety, blueprint reading, applied physics, electrical and digital theory, and electronics[16]. Workers who can document relevant experience and show their skill may qualify for a shorter program[17]. 3) Get licensed. Most states require a license, so check with your state[18]. 4) Keep training. Graduates become mechanics or assistant mechanics, and ongoing training helps them keep up with new technology[19]. Certification is not required, but it shows skill in the field[20].

Some employers may ask for a driver's license or reliable transportation to reach jobsites[21]. With more training, installers can move up to mechanic-in-charge, adjuster or supervisor[22].

In an O*NET survey of 19 workers, 47% said the job requires a high school diploma or equivalent and 47% said a post-secondary certificate[23]. That is a small survey, so treat it as a rough picture.

What elevator mechanics do

O*NET describes the work as assembling, installing, repairing and maintaining elevators, escalators and dumbwaiters, both electric and hydraulic[24]. Typical tasks include:

BLS names three qualities that matter: comfort working at heights, attention to detail with records and blueprints, and mechanical skill with tools[26][27][28].

Where they work

Building equipment contractors employed 89% of these workers in 2025[29].

The work is usually physically demanding. Workers may stand for long stretches, lift loads of up to 200 pounds and squeeze into crawl spaces and machine rooms[30]. They may also work at heights in elevator shafts, in dusty or greasy spots, and in heat or cold[30].

Injury risks include falls, electrical burns and muscle strains. Workers wear protective gear such as hardhats, harnesses and safety glasses[31]. Most work full time. Overtime may come with emergency repairs or construction deadlines, and some workers are on call around the clock[32].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 5.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 24,700 to 26,100 jobs, a gain of 1,400[2]. Employment across all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same period[33]. These projection counts include self-employed workers[2]. The May 2025 wage survey counted about 23,790 wage and salary jobs and does not include the self-employed[34].

BLS expects about 1,900 openings a year on average from 2025 to 2035[6]. Openings include jobs created when workers retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 2.4% of workers leave the labor force and 4.4% move to a different occupation[35].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a trade with pay well above the all-occupations median[1][5] and growth faster than average[2][33]. The entry route is a paid apprenticeship, which typically runs 4 years[16], and most states also require a license[18]. The work is physically demanding, involves heights and cramped spaces, and can include overtime and on-call time[30][32]. People who like hands-on mechanical and electrical work, and who can commit to a multi-year apprenticeship, may find the requirements a fair match. Pay differs by place, so check the state and metro figures above[11][13].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[36].

Frequently asked questions

How much does an elevator mechanic make an hour?
The median was $52.84 an hour in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $28.49 an hour and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $76.39[9].
How long does it take to become an elevator mechanic?
A typical apprenticeship program is 4 years[16]. Workers who can document relevant experience may qualify for a shorter one[17].
What degree do you need to be an elevator mechanic?
No college degree is listed. BLS gives a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education, with an apprenticeship for training[3].
Are elevator mechanics in demand?
BLS projects 5.7% growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, and about 1,900 openings a year[2][33][6].
What is the highest paying state for elevator mechanics?
Maine had the highest median at $143,690, followed by Nevada at $141,950 and California at $141,180[11]. Maine's figure covers 110 jobs[11].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers in the US was $109,910 per year and $52.84 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers is projected to grow 5.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 24,700 to 26,100 jobs (a change of +1,400). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Apprenticeship. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers: 10th percentile $59,270, 25th percentile $79,290, 75th percentile $135,720, 90th percentile $158,890. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 1,900 openings for Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers was $109,820 per year and $52.80 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers: 10th percentile $28.49, 25th percentile $38.12, 75th percentile $65.25, 90th percentile $76.39. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. Median annual wage for Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers jobs: New York 3,470; Florida 2,790; Texas 2,030; California 1,910; Illinois 1,080. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $168,270; Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $146,580; Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV $141,920; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $140,600; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $140,250; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $138,880; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $138,600; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $136,000. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 3,270 (median $136,000); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 1,050 (median $108,170); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 850 (median $146,580); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 850 (median $140,600); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 540 (median $104,350); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 540 (median $132,640). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET 47-4021.00 survey of workers (19 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 47%, Post-Secondary Certificate 47% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET description of Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET task list for Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers. O*NET OnLine
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of elevator and escalator installers and repairers in 2025: Building equipment contractors 89%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 23,790 people were employed as Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  35. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers: 2.4% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.4% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  36. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.