Elevator Install/Repair
Install, maintain, and repair the complex mechanical and electrical systems that move people safely.
Quick Facts
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Median Annual Wage | $106,580* |
| Median Hourly Wage | $52.80* |
| Projected Growth (2024–2034) | 5% (Average)* |
| Projected Annual Openings | ~2,000/year* |
| Typical Entry Path | 4-year union apprenticeship (NEIEP) |
| Physical Demands | Very High (heavy lifting, heights, tight spaces) |
*Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook and OEWS May 2025 release (accessed July 2026). Note: While this is the highest-paying trade covered on this site, it is also one of the most competitive to enter, with a small total workforce and limited annual openings.
Find Trade Info in Your State →Day in the Life
Elevator Install/Repair professionals (also known as elevator mechanics or installers) assemble, install, maintain, and replace elevators, escalators, moving walkways, and similar equipment. A typical day involves heavy, precise mechanical work combined with complex electrical troubleshooting. You might be working in a dark, narrow elevator shaft of a high-rise under construction, hoisting and aligning heavy steel guide rails, installing cables, or wiring up the intricate control panels that govern the car's movement.
The environment is physically demanding and requires a serious commitment to safety. You will frequently work at heights, in cramped machine rooms, or suspended in shafts. Because elevators are critical infrastructure, maintenance and repair mechanics often work on-call rotations, responding to emergencies at all hours to fix broken systems or rescue trapped passengers.
The Career Ladder
Pre-apprentice / Helper
Entry-level role handling materials, organizing tools, and assisting mechanics while learning the basics of jobsite safety and elevator components.
Apprentice
A rigorous 4-year program (typically through NEIEP) combining extensive paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction in electrical theory, physics, and mechanical systems.
Journeyman / Licensed Mechanic
A fully qualified professional capable of independent installation and troubleshooting. Unlike many trades, elevator work genuinely requires state or local licensing in most jurisdictions due to the extreme safety stakes.
Master
There is no formal "master" tier in elevator installation/repair. Advancement means taking on more complex troubleshooting roles, specializing in specific systems, or moving into leadership.
Foreman / Mechanic-in-Charge
Manages crews on large installation projects, coordinates with other trades, and ensures all work meets strict safety and building codes.
Project Manager / Superintendent / Inspector
Oversees multiple installations, handles logistics and client relations, or transitions into a role as a certified elevator inspector.
To see how pay scales at each step in your area, check the state data tool.
How to Get Started
Be aware: entry into this trade is unusually competitive. The pay is high, the union is strong, and openings are limited. You will need persistence.
Meet the minimums
You need a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver's license, and you must be at least 18 years old. A strong background in math and physics is highly recommended.
Watch for union recruitment windows
The International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) only opens applications for apprenticeships during specific, limited windows (sometimes only once every few years per local). You must monitor your local's website closely.
Pass the EIAT
Applicants must pass the Elevator Industry Aptitude Test (EIAT), which tests reading, math, and mechanical comprehension, followed by a tool assessment.
Interview and rank
If you pass the tests, you will be interviewed and placed on a ranked hiring list. You may wait months or even years to be called off the list to begin work.
Complete the NEIEP apprenticeship
Once hired, you will complete 4 years of paid on-the-job training and classroom instruction through the National Elevator Industry Educational Program.
Pass the mechanic exam and get licensed
After completing the apprenticeship, you must pass a final mechanic exam and, in most states, obtain a state or local elevator mechanic license to work independently.
Check Apprenticeship.gov or the Trade School Directory to research programs in your area.
Union vs. Non-Union
The elevator installation and repair industry is heavily unionized. The International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) represents the vast majority of workers in this trade. Non-union work is genuinely rare compared to other trades, mostly limited to smaller residential elevator or accessibility lift installations.
Union (IUEC)
- Highly structured, industry-standard 4-year apprenticeship (NEIEP).
- Top-tier wages, often the highest in the building trades.
- Excellent, fully-funded pension and health benefits.
- Extremely competitive entry; applications only open during rare windows.
Non-Union / Open Shop
- Training depends entirely on the employer; may lack formal structure.
- Wages are negotiated individually and are typically lower than union scale.
- Benefits vary widely by employer.
- Very small market share; mostly limited to residential or specialty lifts.
| Union (IUEC) | Non-Union / Open Shop |
|---|---|
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Remember: total compensation includes your pension, healthcare, and annuity, not just your hourly wage. Always compare the full package.
Tools & Safety Gear
Starter Toolkit
- • Quality tape measure (25ft)
- • Basic screwdrivers (flat and Phillips)
- • Channel locks / adjustable pliers
- • Torpedo level
- • Multimeter (often provided later, but good to know)
- • Sturdy tool bag or bucket organizer
Required Safety Gear
- • Hard hat (Type 1, Class E often required)
- • ANSI-rated safety glasses
- • Heavy-duty, composite or steel-toe work boots
- • Fall protection harness (usually employer-provided)
- • Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) kit
Note: Gear links may be affiliate links. We only recommend what we'd tell a real apprentice to buy. Check the Tools & Gear hub, filtered for Elevator Work for specifics.
Training & Schools
Because the trade is so heavily unionized, the standard path is applying directly to the IUEC apprenticeship program (NEIEP) rather than paying for a private trade school first. Some community colleges offer general electromechanical or industrial maintenance programs that can make you a stronger applicant, but you will still need to complete the official apprenticeship to become a licensed Elevator Install/Repair professional.
Visit the Trade School Directory, filtered for Elevator Work and the Apprenticeships & Training hub to explore your options.
Women in the Trades
Women currently make up a very small percentage of Elevator Install/Repair professionals, but the IUEC and industry partners are actively working to recruit more women into the trade. Pre-apprenticeship programs specifically for women can be a powerful way to prepare for the rigorous aptitude tests and interviews required to secure one of these highly coveted spots.
Learn more about support networks, pre-apprenticeship programs, and gear at the Women in the Trades hub.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Exceptionally high pay; the highest median wage of the trades covered here.
- ✓ Outstanding union benefits (pension, healthcare).
- ✓ Intellectually stimulating mix of complex mechanical and electrical systems.
- ✓ High job security once you are in; buildings will always need elevators.
Cons
- ✗ Extremely competitive and difficult to enter; waitlists can take years.
- ✗ Dangerous work environment involving heavy equipment, electricity, and heights.
- ✗ Physically demanding (heavy lifting, tight spaces).
- ✗ Maintenance roles often require stressful on-call and emergency response shifts.
Related Trades
If this sounds interesting but you want to explore other options, check out: Millwright, Electrician, Ironworker, HVAC/R Technician, or Heavy Equipment Operator.
Safety Disclaimer
GetInTheTrades.com is an informational career resource. Elevator Install/Repair work can be dangerous and may require licensing, permits, code compliance, and supervised training. Do not attempt professional Elevator Install/Repair work without proper instruction, safety equipment, and licensed supervision where required.
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers (May 2024 data, accessed July 11, 2026).
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2025 release (published May 15, 2026).
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