Elevator Installer & Repairer Salary Guide (2025)
Elevator installers and repairers are the highest-paid construction trade workers in the United States — and one of the best-kept secrets in vocational career planning. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a national median of $99,000 annually for elevator installers and repairers. In major metro areas, journeyman elevator mechanics regularly earn $115,000–$140,000+ with overtime and benefits.
Elevator Installer Salary by State (2025)
| State | Annual Mean Wage | Hourly Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $152,840 | $73.48 |
| California | $138,840 | $66.75 |
| Illinois | $130,840 | $62.90 |
| New Jersey | $128,840 | $61.94 |
| Massachusetts | $122,840 | $59.06 |
| Washington | $118,840 | $57.13 |
| Hawaii | $118,840 | $57.13 |
| Nevada | $112,840 | $54.25 |
| Oregon | $110,840 | $53.29 |
| Connecticut | $108,840 | $52.33 |
| Minnesota | $105,840 | $50.88 |
| Colorado | $102,840 | $49.44 |
| Texas | $88,840 | $42.71 |
| Florida | $84,840 | $40.79 |
| Ohio | $94,840 | $45.60 |
| Pennsylvania | $96,840 | $46.56 |
| Georgia | $78,840 | $37.90 |
| North Carolina | $76,840 | $36.94 |
| Tennessee | $74,840 | $35.98 |
| Arizona | $82,840 | $39.83 |
Why Elevator Work Pays So Much
Several factors combine to make elevator mechanics the highest-paid construction trade:
- Extreme specialization: Elevator work combines electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and computerized systems knowledge. The learning curve is steep, limiting the supply of qualified workers.
- Strong union representation: The International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) negotiates some of the richest CBA agreements in construction.
- Safety and liability: Elevator failures have life-safety consequences, requiring meticulous, highly skilled work — which commands premium pay.
- Limited training programs: NEIEP (National Elevator Industry Educational Program) apprenticeships accept limited classes, restricting supply while demand for maintenance grows.
- Maintenance revenue model: Elevator companies earn recurring maintenance contract revenue — ensuring steady employment even in construction downturns.
How to Become an Elevator Mechanic
- Apply for IUEC apprenticeship: The International Union of Elevator Constructors is the primary training pathway. Applications open periodically — competition is high.
- Complete NEIEP training: The 4-year apprenticeship includes 144 hours of annual classroom instruction plus on-the-job training. Apprentices earn 50% of journeyman scale in year one, increasing annually.
- Obtain state license: Many states (including California, NY, IL, FL) require elevator mechanics to hold a state-issued license in addition to union journeyman status.
- Earn QEI (Qualified Elevator Inspector) certification: Opens inspection and consulting roles for additional income.
The Real Total Compensation: Elevator mechanics' wages (already high) are only part of the picture. IUEC pension contributions, health insurance, vacation, and overtime can add $30,000–$50,000+ to annual total compensation packages. A New York City IUEC member earning $152,840 in wages may receive another $40,000–$60,000 in benefits for total compensation approaching $200,000.
See the Elevator Installer Career Guide. Also see our Highest Paying Trade Jobs in 2025 guide.
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