Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2024
How to Become a Elevator Mechanic (2024)
Specialty · 4-year apprenticeship · SOC 47-4021
Elevator Mechanics earn a national median of $116,702 per 2024 BLS data, with the 90th percentile reaching $191,450 in San Francisco. The standard path is a 4-year registered apprenticeship — paid from day one, no four-year degree required.
What Does a Elevator Mechanic Do?
Elevator mechanics install, repair, and maintain elevators, escalators, moving walkways, and other lifts in commercial and residential buildings.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities
- Install elevator cars, motors, and control systems
- Test and adjust safety devices and controls
- Troubleshoot electrical and mechanical malfunctions
- Perform preventive maintenance on elevators and escalators
- Modernize outdated elevator systems
The Path: How to Become a Elevator Mechanic
- 1
Finish high school or earn a GED
Most apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED. Strong math (especially algebra and geometry) and reading skills matter for trade exams and blueprint work. - 2
Find a registered apprenticeship
Search apprenticeship.gov for registered programs in your area. Programs are sponsored by unions, contractor associations, or individual employers. Application windows are usually annual. - 3
Complete the 4-year apprenticeship
Apprentices spend roughly 8000+ hours on the job paired with a journeyman, plus 144 classroom hours per year. Pay starts around $75,950 and steps up each year — see the timeline below. - 4
Pass the journeyman exam
Most states require a written + practical exam to earn the journeyman license. The exam covers code knowledge, safety, and practical work scenarios. Pass rates vary 50-80% on the first attempt. - 5
Earn certifications and (optionally) the master license
Layer on specialty certifications (State elevator mechanic license (required in most states)) to access higher-paying work. Most states offer a master license after 2-4 additional years of journeyman experience — required for independent contracting in many states. - 6
Climb to the top decile
Top earners ($191,450 in San Francisco) typically reach the 90th percentile through specialization, foreman/supervisor roles, union membership, or running a small contracting business.
Elevator Mechanic Apprentice Pay Timeline
Hourly wage progression based on industry-standard apprenticeship pay schedules. Actual rates vary by local union or contractor agreement.
| Year | Stage | Hourly | Annual (2,080 hr) | % of Journeyman |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Apprentice | $45/hr | $93,600 | 80% |
| Year 2 | Apprentice 2 | $57/hr | $118,560 | 102% |
| Year 3 | Apprentice 3 | $72/hr | $149,760 | 129% |
| Year 4 | Pre-journeyman | $88/hr | $183,040 | 157% |
| Journeyman | Licensed | $56/hr | $116,702 | 100% |
| Master / Top 10% | Specialist / Foreman | $92/hr | $191,450 | 164% |
Required Certifications & Licenses
- ✓State elevator mechanic license (required in most states)
- ✓Certified Elevator Technician (CET)
- ✓OSHA 10/30-Hour
Skills You'll Need to Build
Work Environment
Elevator mechanics work in elevator shafts, machine rooms, and on top of elevator cars. Work involves confined spaces, heights, and electrical hazards. On-call for emergency repairs.
Job Outlook
One of the highest-paying trades with strong union representation. Demand driven by new high-rise construction and modernization of existing buildings. Very competitive apprenticeships.
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Elevator Mechanic Pay by City
The highest-paying metros for elevator mechanics, with cost-of-living-adjusted pay so you can compare real take-home.
| City | Median | Top 10% | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $164,020 | $191,450 | B |
| Boston, MA | $143,180 | $148,880 | B |
| Chicago, IL | $141,380 | $160,480 | B |
| Seattle, WA | $137,040 | $155,970 | B |
| Los Angeles, CA | $136,920 | $155,150 | C |
| Portland, OR | $134,010 | $153,120 | B |
| New York, NY | $127,040 | $170,160 | C |
| Minneapolis, MN | $124,740 | $128,510 | B |
| Denver, CO | $122,880 | $130,580 | B |
| Kansas City, MO | $121,960 | $136,990 | B |
Frequently Asked Questions
Most elevator mechanics complete a 4-year registered apprenticeship — typically 8000+ hours of paid on-the-job training plus 144 classroom hours per year. After completing the apprenticeship and passing the journeyman exam, you can work independently. Master-level certification (where applicable) usually takes another 2-4 years of journeyman experience.
No. Elevator Mechanics do not require a four-year college degree. The standard credential is a journeyman license earned through a paid apprenticeship registered with the U.S. Department of Labor at https://www.apprenticeship.gov/. Some workers complete a 1- or 2-year certificate at a community or trade college before applying — but the journeyman license is what employers actually require.
Elevator Mechanic apprentices typically start at $75,950 per year (10th percentile) and progress upward each year of the apprenticeship. By year 3, pay usually reaches the 50th percentile around $116,702. All training is paid — apprentices are W-2 employees of contractors or unions, not students paying tuition.
Common elevator mechanic certifications include: State elevator mechanic license (required in most states); Certified Elevator Technician (CET); OSHA 10/30-Hour. Most states also require a journeyman license; some have a separate master license for independent work.
Elevator Mechanics earn a national median of $116,702 (Trade Pay Score grade B), wages have grown 3% over the past 5 years, and the BLS counts roughly 9,770 elevator mechanic jobs nationwide. The work is physically demanding and the apprenticeship is real, but the trade clears the bar for living-wage, debt-free career entry.
The U.S. Department of Labor maintains a searchable database of registered apprenticeship programs at https://www.apprenticeship.gov/. Local building trades councils, IBEW/UA/IUPAT/IBB union halls, and trade school career offices also place candidates directly. Most apprenticeships have one open application window per year — check listings early.
Wage figures from BLS OEWS 2024. Apprentice pay schedules from industry-standard registered programs. Career outlook from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 2032 projections.