Elevator Installer and Repairer Salary: What You Can Earn in 2026
Elevator installers and repairers are among the highest-paid workers in the entire construction and extraction sector. With a national median annual wage of $106,580 (BLS, May 2024), this trade consistently outearns electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, and nearly every other craft in the building trades. If you’re researching this career or considering a move into elevator work, here’s exactly what the pay looks like — by state, by metro, by experience level, and by industry.
Table of Contents
Quick facts: Elevator Installer & Repairer
- National median salary: $106,580/yr (BLS, May 2024)
- Top 10% earn: $149,250+/yr
- Entry-level (10th percentile): ~$54,720/yr
- Highest-paying state: Hawaii — $150,600/yr median
- Highest-paying metro: San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA — $169,560/yr
- Total employed nationally: ~23,340 (BLS, May 2024)
- Job outlook: 5% growth projected 2024–2034 (BLS)
- Primary union: International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC)
- Training path: 4–5 year IUEC apprenticeship
How Much Do Elevator Installers Make? National Salary Data
The national median annual wage for elevator and escalator installers and repairers is $106,580 (BLS OEWS, May 2024). That makes this one of the very few blue-collar trades where median pay exceeds $100,000 per year.
The median hourly wage is $51.24. But the range is wide — the bottom 10% earn around $26.31/hour ($54,720 annually), while the top 10% earn $71.76/hour or more ($149,250+ annually). That spread reflects differences in union membership, geographic market, specialization, and experience.
The mean (average) annual wage is $104,860, which sits slightly below the median — an unusual pattern that reflects a wide base of well-compensated journeymen rather than a small group of extreme earners pulling the average up.
| Percentile | Hourly Wage | Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $26.31 | $54,720 |
| 25th percentile | $36.88 | $76,700 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $51.24 | $106,580 |
| 75th percentile | $63.34 | $131,740 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71.76 | $149,250 |
| Mean (average) | $50.42 | $104,860 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024.
For context: the median elevator installer and repairer salary is 71% higher than the median electrician salary ($62,350) and more than double the median wage for all construction and extraction occupations ($58,360). The trade’s high pay is driven by the specialized, safety-critical nature of the work and the strength of the IUEC union, which represents the large majority of elevator mechanics in the US.
Good to know
Elevator mechanics work under the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC). Most enter through the IUEC-sponsored Joint Apprenticeship Committee (JAC), a 4–5 year program that pays apprentice wages starting at roughly 50% of journeyman scale — typically $25–35/hour from day one, depending on your local union.
Elevator Installer Salary by State
Where you work is one of the biggest factors in your elevator installer salary. Pay varies significantly across states — from a $150,600 median in Hawaii to considerably lower figures in smaller markets without major high-rise construction.
| State | Annual Median Wage |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $150,600 |
| Maine | $138,520 |
| Nevada | $137,950 |
| California | $137,340 |
| Oregon | $135,620 |
| New Jersey | $134,590 |
| Massachusetts | $134,360 |
| Washington | $123,030 |
| Illinois | $130,070 |
| District of Columbia | $125,030 |
| New York | $124,530 |
| Missouri | $123,710 |
| Kansas | $121,500 |
| Maryland | $119,200 |
| Colorado | $117,770 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024 — top 15 states by annual median wage. Note: Not all states report data due to small sample sizes.
Pro tip
Hawaii’s top ranking ($150,600 median) is partly driven by the cost of living and the strong union presence there, but the relatively small market means fewer job openings. California, Nevada, and the Pacific Northwest offer a better combination of high wages and consistent demand from new construction and maintenance contracts.
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Elevator Installers
If you want to maximize your elevator installer salary, metro area matters more than state. The San Jose metro — home to Silicon Valley’s dense commercial real estate — tops the list at $169,560 median annually.
| Metro Area | Annual Median Wage |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $169,560 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $164,020 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $150,600 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | $146,830 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $143,180 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $141,380 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $129,690 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $137,040 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $126,920 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $136,670 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $134,010 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $129,190 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $127,040 |
| Springfield, MO | $125,530 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $124,740 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024.
The gap between the lowest and highest metro wages for this trade is substantial. An elevator mechanic in the San Jose metro earns a median $169,560 — nearly 60% more than the national median. Markets with the most elevator work (dense urban cores with high-rise construction booms) consistently pay more, and the local IUEC affiliate’s contract terms matter just as much as geography.
Where Are Elevator Installers Actually Employed?
New York, California, Florida, and Texas have the most elevator mechanics working in-state — driven by large commercial real estate markets, ongoing construction, and existing building stock that needs ongoing maintenance.
| State | Estimated Employment |
|---|---|
| New York | 3,710 |
| California | 2,830 |
| Florida | 2,100 |
| Texas | 1,360 |
| Maryland | 1,200 |
| Washington | 1,170 |
| Illinois | 970 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024 — top states by employment.
One thing the employment data reveals: there are only about 23,340 elevator mechanics employed nationally. This is a small trade by headcount. That scarcity is part of what keeps wages high — the path into the trade is controlled by the IUEC apprenticeship program, which limits supply.
Salary by Experience Level: Apprentice to Journeyman
The wage percentile table from BLS captures the full span of the trade, from first-year apprentices through seasoned journeymen. Here’s how to interpret it in career terms:
-
1
Year 1–2 Apprentice — ~$26–$33/hr ($54,000–$69,000/yr) IUEC apprentices start at roughly 50% of journeyman scale and progress through annual step increases. In a high-wage market like California or New York, starting pay is typically in the $28–$35/hr range. The 10th percentile nationally ($26.31/hr) largely represents early-stage apprentices.
-
2
Year 3–4 Apprentice — ~$33–$45/hr ($68,000–$93,000/yr) Wages climb with each apprenticeship year. By the third year, most IUEC apprentices are earning 75–85% of journeyman scale. The 25th percentile ($36.88/hr, $76,700/yr) represents this range.
-
3
Journeyman (Years 5+) — $51–$63/hr ($106,000–$131,000/yr) After completing the apprenticeship and passing the required exams, mechanics reach full journeyman scale — the $51.24/hr median to the $63.34/hr 75th percentile range. This is where most working elevator mechanics sit.
-
4
Senior Journeyman / Foreman — $63–$71+/hr ($131,000–$149,000+/yr) Experienced mechanics in high-cost markets, those who take on foreman roles, or workers specializing in complex hydraulic or modernization work reach the 75th–90th percentile range. Top earners ($71.76/hr, $149,250+) are typically in the highest-wage metros like San Jose or San Francisco.
Good to know
Overtime is common in this trade, particularly for emergency service calls and major installations. Many journeyman elevator mechanics earn $120,000–$140,000+ annually when overtime is factored in, even in markets with lower base rates than California or Hawaii. When comparing job offers, ask about typical annual hours and the local union’s overtime provisions.
Which Industries Pay Elevator Installers the Most?
Not all elevator installer jobs pay the same — the industry you work in matters significantly.
| Industry | Annual Median Wage |
|---|---|
| Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $138,540 |
| Other Specialty Trade Contractors | $137,570 |
| Local Government, excl. Schools and Hospitals | $119,200 |
| Machinery Manufacturing (NAICS 3331–3339) | $110,930 |
| Building Equipment Contractors (largest employer) | $108,030 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $97,910 |
| Commercial and Industrial Machinery & Equipment Repair | $73,170 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024.
The large majority of elevator mechanics — roughly 19,520 of the 23,340 employed nationally — work for building equipment contractors, which includes the major elevator companies (Otis, KONE, Schindler, TK Elevator). That segment pays $108,030 median, just above the national median for the trade. Specialty contractor and wholesale/distribution roles pay more but employ far fewer workers.
What Affects Your Elevator Installer Salary?
Several variables move the needle on what you actually take home as an elevator mechanic:
Union membership. The IUEC sets wage scales through collective bargaining, and those scales are substantially above what non-union elevator workers typically earn. The union also negotiates fringe benefits — health insurance, pension, and paid training — that add significant value beyond the hourly rate. If you’re entering the trade, doing it through an IUEC apprenticeship is the standard path to the wages in this article.
Geographic market. As the state and metro tables above show, pay in San Jose or Hawaii can be 40–60% above the national median. Local cost of living matters, but so does the local volume of new construction and the strength of the local IUEC affiliate’s contract.
Work type: installation vs. maintenance. New construction installation work tends to be project-based and can involve periods of lower activity between projects. Maintenance contracts — servicing the existing elevator stock in commercial buildings — provide steadier, year-round income. Many experienced mechanics prefer maintenance for the stability.
Overtime. Emergency callback work and weekend service calls are common in this trade and typically compensated at time-and-a-half or double-time under union contracts. In high-demand markets, mechanics willing to take on-call rotations can meaningfully increase annual earnings.
Specialization. Mechanics with experience in complex hydraulic systems, high-rise traction elevators, or escalator modernization projects are in higher demand and can negotiate accordingly. The MCP (Mechanic Certified in Modernization) credential through the IUEC signals advanced competency to employers.
Pro tip
Elevator work in high-rise buildings — anything above 10 stories — tends to command premium rates and keep mechanics busier year-round. If you’re choosing between local IUEC affiliates to apply through, look at the construction pipeline in that metro. Cities with ongoing high-rise residential or commercial development (Seattle, Austin, Miami, NYC) offer more consistent installation work alongside maintenance.
How Does Elevator Installer Pay Compare to Other Trades?
| Trade | National Median (BLS, May 2024) |
|---|---|
| Elevator Installer & Repairer | $106,580 |
| Plumber / Pipefitter / Steamfitter | $62,970 |
| Electrician | $62,350 |
| HVAC Technician | $59,810 |
| Wind Turbine Technician | $62,580 |
| Welder | $51,000 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024.
Compare all trade salaries by state and experience level using our skilled trades salary calculator.
The comparison underscores just how different elevator pay is from other building trades. An elevator mechanic at the median earns roughly 70% more than a median electrician, plumber, or HVAC tech. The trade-off is that the path in is narrower — you’re going through the IUEC apprenticeship, and entry depends on local hiring needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do elevator installers make per hour?
The national median hourly wage for elevator and escalator installers and repairers is $51.24, according to BLS OEWS May 2024 data. The range runs from about $26.31/hr at the 10th percentile (early-stage apprentices) up to $71.76/hr at the 90th percentile for senior journeymen in high-wage markets.
What state pays elevator mechanics the most?
Hawaii has the highest median annual wage for elevator installers at $150,600 (BLS, May 2024), followed by Maine ($138,520), Nevada ($137,950), and California ($137,340). For the best combination of high wages and consistent job opportunities, California and the Pacific Northwest are the strongest markets.
How do you become an elevator installer?
The standard path is through the IUEC (International Union of Elevator Constructors) apprenticeship program — a 4–5 year program that combines on-the-job training with technical classroom instruction. You apply through your local IUEC affiliate. Requirements typically include a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver’s license, and passing an aptitude test. Apprentices earn while they train, starting at approximately 50% of journeyman scale. See our complete guide on how to become an elevator installer and repairer.
Is elevator installer a good career?
By compensation, yes — elevator mechanics are among the top earners in the entire building trades sector. The job involves physically demanding work in confined spaces and at height, and the trade is small, meaning entry depends on local hiring conditions in your market. BLS projects 5% employment growth through 2034, which is roughly in line with average for all occupations. The combination of high pay, strong union benefits, and stable demand from building maintenance makes it one of the more financially rewarding trades you can enter.
How does elevator installer pay compare to electricians?
Elevator mechanics earn significantly more at the median. The national median for elevator installers is $106,580 vs. $62,350 for electricians (BLS, May 2024) — a gap of about $44,000/yr. The tradeoff is that electrician jobs are far more numerous and easier to enter in most markets. Elevator mechanics work in a more specialized, smaller trade with tighter entry through the IUEC apprenticeship.
Do elevator mechanics need a license?
Licensing requirements vary by state and city. Many states require elevator mechanics to hold a state-issued license or certificate of competency, and some jurisdictions require a separate license for each type of conveyance (traction elevator, hydraulic elevator, escalator). Your IUEC local will guide you through the licensing requirements in your market as part of the apprenticeship. Always verify current requirements with your state’s elevator inspection authority — requirements have tightened in most states over the past decade.
Next Steps
If you’re serious about pursuing this trade, the best starting point is contacting the IUEC local affiliate in your target market and asking about the next apprenticeship application cycle. The IUEC’s national website at iuec.org has a local finder. Because the trade is small and entry is controlled, timing your application with local hiring demand matters — some locals have waiting lists while others have open spots.
To get started read our complete guide on elevator installer career: How to Become an Elevator Installer and Repairer.
For salary comparisons across the full range of skilled trades, see our highest-paying trade jobs guide.
