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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.

License RequiredHighest Median Salary of Any TradeVery Competitive to EnterBest-in-Class Pension

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–$70,000

Years 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–$130,000

Years 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–$125,000

Years 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 →