How Much Does a Elevator Mechanic Make? (2024)
Specialty · SOC Code 47-4021 · 4-year apprenticeship
The average elevator mechanic earns $116,702 per year ($56/hour) as of 2024, according to BLS data. Yearly income ranges from $57,470 to $164,020 depending on city, with entry-level workers earning about $75,950 and top earners making $191,450+.
Yes — top-decile elevator mechanics clear $100K in 20 of 21 metros
The 90th-percentile elevator mechanic in San Francisco, CA earns $191,450 per year ($92/hour). Reaching that tier typically takes journeyman-to-master progression plus union membership, specialization, or running a small contracting business. Median elevator mechanic pay nationally is $116,702 — the $100K mark is the high-earner ceiling, not the middle.
National Salary Range
Elevator Mechanic salaries range from $57,470 to $164,020 median across cities, depending on location, union membership, and experience level.
Elevator Mechanic Salary by City
| City | Median | Range (10th-90th) | COL-Adjusted | Grade | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $164,020 | $75,950 – $191,450 | $86,326 | B | 390 |
| Boston, MA | $143,180 | $67,320 – $148,880 | $94,197 | B | 0 |
| Chicago, IL | $141,380 | $97,690 – $160,480 | $132,131 | B | 720 |
| Seattle, WA | $137,040 | $75,640 – $155,970 | $91,973 | B | 770 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $136,920 | $72,620 – $155,150 | $82,482 | C | 1,400 |
| Portland, OR | $134,010 | $74,520 – $153,120 | $103,085 | B | 180 |
| New York, NY | $127,040 | $69,730 – $170,160 | $67,936 | C | 3,250 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $124,740 | $79,780 – $128,510 | $117,679 | B | 350 |
| Denver, CO | $122,880 | $63,300 – $130,580 | $96,000 | B | 0 |
| Kansas City, MO | $121,960 | $119,510 – $136,990 | $129,745 | B | 240 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $114,870 | $67,390 – $149,330 | $99,887 | B | 400 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $113,710 | $83,070 – $129,430 | $124,956 | B | 80 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $110,500 | $54,510 – $133,550 | $107,282 | B | 0 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $109,970 | $59,450 – $126,080 | $119,533 | B | 120 |
| Raleigh, NC | $105,610 | $49,300 – $129,660 | $105,610 | B | 50 |
| Miami, FL | $105,460 | $59,480 – $123,120 | $86,443 | B | 860 |
| Dallas, TX | $104,470 | $60,530 – $115,060 | $102,422 | B | 430 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $104,150 | $55,530 – $111,900 | $100,144 | B | 170 |
| Tampa, FL | $103,860 | $58,100 – $123,090 | $102,832 | B | 270 |
| Atlanta, GA | $67,510 | $33,420 – $108,390 | $63,689 | C | 0 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $57,470 | $38,690 – $75,650 | $59,865 | C | 90 |
About Elevator Mechanic Pay
Elevator Mechanics earn a national median salary of $116,702 based on 2024 BLS occupational wage data. The highest-paying city for this trade is San Francisco at $164,020 median, while Milwaukee offers the lowest at $57,470.
Becoming a elevator mechanic typically requires a 4-year apprenticeship program. Entry-level workers (10th percentile) can expect around $75,950, while master-level tradespeople (90th percentile) earn $191,450 or more. With 3% wage growth over the past 5 years, this trade is growing at a steady pace.
See how this compares to other trades on our highest paying trades ranking, or browse the best cities for trade workers.
Thinking about becoming a elevator mechanic?
Step-by-step path: 4-year apprenticeship, certifications, state licensing, and apprentice-to-master pay timeline.
Related Specialty Trades
Frequently Asked Questions
Elevator Mechanic work is physically demanding and can be stressful, especially under deadline pressure or in unsafe conditions. 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. The trade rewards problem-solving, attention to detail, and the ability to work safely with tools and equipment. Most elevator mechanics say the difficulty drops sharply once they finish their apprenticeship and gain field experience.
Elevator Mechanics earn a national median of $116,702 per 2024 BLS OEWS data, with the 90th percentile reaching $191,450 in San Francisco. Specific pay depends on city, certifications, union status, and specialization — see the per-city table above for any metro you're targeting.
Elevator Mechanics earn a national median of $116,702 per 2024 BLS OEWS data, with the 90th percentile reaching $191,450 in San Francisco. Specific pay depends on city, certifications, union status, and specialization — see the per-city table above for any metro you're targeting.
Elevator Mechanics earn a national median of $116,702 per 2024 BLS OEWS data, with the 90th percentile reaching $191,450 in San Francisco. Specific pay depends on city, certifications, union status, and specialization — see the per-city table above for any metro you're targeting.
The average elevator mechanic salary is $116,702 per year ($56/hour) based on 2024 BLS OEWS data. Average yearly income ranges from $57,470 to $164,020 depending on city, experience, and union status.
Elevator Mechanics earn an average hourly wage of $56/hour based on a 2,080-hour work year. Entry-level (10th percentile) hourly pay is about $37/hour, while top earners (90th percentile) make $92/hour or more.
San Francisco offers the highest median pay for elevator mechanics at $164,020. However, cost of living matters, the COL-adjusted pay may tell a different story. Check our city-by-city breakdown above.
With a Trade Pay Score of B and 3% wage growth over 5 years, elevator mechanic offers steady career prospects. There are approximately 9,770 jobs nationwide across 21 metro areas.
Becoming a elevator mechanic typically requires a 4-year apprenticeship program combining on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Entry-level pay starts around $75,950 (10th percentile).
Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024. Trade Pay Scores are a composite of median wage vs. metro income, wage growth, job demand, and COL-adjusted pay.
For this entity, the underlying data on this page comes from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. The breakdown above is the federal record; the paragraphs below add the per-entity context that makes the headline numbers usable for a real decision rather than just a data lookup.
Every number on this page links back to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey; the methodology page describes the inputs, refresh cadence, and known limitations of the underlying data product.
Practical use of this page is in combination with the comparison and ranking pages elsewhere on the site, which surface the same data for this entity’s peers within U.S. trades, cities, and states. A single-entity reading without peer context can be misleading when an entity is an outlier on one axis but typical on another.