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How to become an elevator installer
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, and nearly all learn the work through an apprenticeship, which typically runs four years; most states require a license. Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers earned a median $109,910 a year in May 2025, and BLS projects 5.7% growth in the job count from 2025 to 2035, with about 1,900 openings a year. Typical entry education: high school diploma or equivalent.
The steps
- Finish high school or the equivalent. A diploma or equivalent is typically required. High school classes in math, mechanical drawing and physics may help.
BLS wording
“A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required. High school classes in math, mechanical drawing, and physics may be helpful.”
- Complete an apprenticeship, typically four years. Unions, industry associations and employers sponsor the programs. Each year of a typical program requires a set number of hours of technical instruction and paid on-the-job training. Apprentices learn about safety, blueprint reading, math, applied physics, elevator and escalator parts, electrical and digital theory, and electronics. Workers who can document relevant experience and demonstrate their skill may qualify for a shorter apprenticeship.
BLS wording
“A career in elevator or escalator installation and repair typically begins with a 4-year apprenticeship program sponsored by a union, industry association, or employer. For each year of a typical program, apprentices must complete a predetermined number of hours of technical instruction and paid on-the-job training. During training, apprentices learn about safety, blueprint reading, mathematics, applied physics, elevator and escalator parts, electrical and digital theory, and electronics. ... Workers with relevant experience who can document it and demonstrate their skill may qualify for a shorter apprenticeship.”
- Get licensed if your state requires it. Most states require elevator and escalator installers and repairers to be licensed; check with your state. Certification is not required, but it shows competence and proficiency in the field.
BLS wording
“Most states require elevator and escalator installers and repairers to be licensed. Check with your state for more information. Although not required, certification shows competence and proficiency in the field.”
- Work as a mechanic or assistant mechanic. Finishing the apprenticeship makes you a mechanic or assistant mechanic, and installers and repairers need ongoing training to keep up with technological developments. Installers may receive additional training to specialize and advance to mechanic-in-charge, adjuster or supervisor.
BLS wording
“When they finish the apprenticeship program, fully trained elevator and escalator installers and repairers become mechanics or assistant mechanics. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers need ongoing training in order to keep up with technological developments. ... Installers may receive additional training to specialize and advance to become a mechanic-in-charge, adjuster, or supervisor.”
Steps follow the Occupational Outlook Handbook: Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers, read 2026-09-23.
How long it takes
A career typically begins with a four-year apprenticeship; documented relevant experience and demonstrated skill may qualify a worker for a shorter one.
What it costs
No state license fee is sourced here for elevator installers. The on-the-job training in an apprenticeship is paid.
License requirements by state
Do you need a license? In most states, yes; check with your state. No state licensing records are sourced here for elevator installers; the 37 state pages carry pay and employment.
Apprenticeships
Unions, industry associations and employers sponsor the programs. The federal Apprenticeship Finder searches apprenticeship openings by occupation and by city, state or ZIP code. Apprenticeship Finder →
BLS wording
“A career in elevator or escalator installation and repair typically begins with a 4-year apprenticeship program sponsored by a union, industry association, or employer.”
U.S. Department of Labor records list 5,230 registered apprentices active across the 50 states and DC in fiscal year 2024 under the occupation titles DOL maps to elevator and escalator installers and repairers; the state pages give each state's count and, where enough apprentices carry a wage DOL counts, the median starting and completing wages (how they are counted). Apprentice counts and wages in every state → · what those wages come to at your hours a week →
What elevator installers earn, by state
Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers (SOC 47-4021) earned a national median of $109,910 a year in May 2025, $52.84 an hour, with 23,790 employed. Maine paid the most, $143,690, 31% above the national median.
Top five by median annual wage: Maine ($143,690), Nevada ($141,950), California ($141,180), Oregon ($138,600), Massachusetts ($138,420). Lowest five: Kentucky ($42,670), Arkansas ($61,530), New Mexico ($71,430), Wisconsin ($77,640), Utah ($81,060).
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employed | Per 1,000 jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | $143,690 | $69.08 | $79,300 | $158,750 | 110 | 0.2 |
| 2 | Nevada | $141,950 | $68.25 | $102,920 | $174,710 | 510 | 0.3 |
| 3 | California | $141,180 | $67.88 | $74,670 | $173,920 | 1,910 | 0.1 |
| 4 | Oregon | $138,600 | $66.64 | $76,440 | $159,230 | 230 | 0.1 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $138,420 | $66.55 | $78,600 | $154,280 | not published | not published |
| 6 | New Jersey | $137,920 | $66.31 | $89,410 | $173,530 | 800 | 0.2 |
| 7 | Washington | $137,180 | $65.95 | $76,120 | $160,420 | 540 | 0.2 |
| 8 | New York | $135,720 | $65.25 | $78,180 | $168,370 | 3,470 | 0.4 |
| 9 | Illinois | $133,690 | $64.27 | $67,460 | $166,740 | 1,080 | 0.2 |
| 10 | Minnesota | $128,020 | $61.55 | $64,940 | $135,490 | 550 | 0.2 |
| 11 | Missouri | $126,750 | $60.94 | $76,980 | $150,590 | 450 | 0.2 |
| 12 | Colorado | $123,360 | $59.31 | $46,060 | $135,810 | 530 | 0.2 |
| 13 | District of Columbia | $122,570 | $58.93 | $65,870 | $148,490 | not published | not published |
| 14 | Maryland | $122,260 | $58.78 | $78,620 | $132,540 | 810 | 0.3 |
| 15 | Nebraska | $117,690 | $56.58 | $62,150 | $122,410 | 140 | 0.1 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | $117,250 | $56.37 | $63,280 | $132,640 | 900 | 0.1 |
| 17 | South Dakota | $116,320 | $55.92 | $83,270 | $120,090 | not published | not published |
| 18 | Iowa | $115,300 | $55.43 | $65,470 | $128,160 | 90 | 0.1 |
| 19 | Virginia | $108,250 | $52.04 | $50,220 | $131,620 | 280 | 0.1 |
| 20 | North Carolina | $107,700 | $51.78 | $46,710 | $123,770 | 240 | 0.0 |
| 21 | Oklahoma | $105,430 | $50.69 | $36,110 | $122,310 | 140 | 0.1 |
| 22 | Ohio | $105,020 | $50.49 | $56,860 | $123,460 | 690 | 0.1 |
| 23 | Florida | $104,730 | $50.35 | $58,440 | $123,830 | 2,790 | 0.3 |
| 24 | Alabama | $103,700 | $49.86 | $73,010 | $113,550 | 170 | 0.1 |
| 25 | Texas | $102,140 | $49.11 | $55,820 | $121,800 | 2,030 | 0.1 |
| 26 | Tennessee | $100,490 | $48.31 | $59,520 | $121,130 | 700 | 0.2 |
| 27 | Michigan | $99,140 | $47.67 | $47,820 | $142,110 | 560 | 0.1 |
| 28 | Indiana | $92,390 | $44.42 | $58,450 | $125,840 | 120 | 0.0 |
| 29 | South Carolina | $90,860 | $43.68 | $60,450 | $125,260 | 540 | 0.2 |
| 30 | Montana | $90,370 | $43.45 | $60,380 | $100,350 | 40 | 0.1 |
| 31 | Kansas | $84,760 | $40.75 | $49,550 | $143,430 | 70 | 0.1 |
| 32 | Georgia | $83,500 | $40.14 | $34,270 | $124,320 | 640 | 0.1 |
| 33 | Utah | $81,060 | $38.97 | $61,930 | $121,780 | 280 | 0.2 |
| 34 | Wisconsin | $77,640 | $37.33 | $48,620 | $126,830 | 370 | 0.1 |
| 35 | New Mexico | $71,430 | $34.34 | $42,640 | $117,890 | 110 | 0.1 |
| 36 | Arkansas | $61,530 | $29.58 | $37,870 | $106,860 | 60 | 0.0 |
| 37 | Kentucky | $42,670 | $20.51 | $39,420 | $98,480 | not published | not published |
No published median for: Alaska, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wyoming. BLS suppresses estimates that do not meet its publication standards.
"Per 1,000 jobs" is how concentrated the trade is in that state's workforce. A state can pay well and still have few openings; the employment column and this one together say how much of a market there is.
As files: pay by state (CSV) · pay by metro area (CSV) · all files and how to credit them.
Job outlook, 2025 to 2035
BLS projects 5.7% growth in employment from 2025 to 2035 (24,700 to 26,100 jobs) and about 1,900 openings a year over the decade, counting growth and replacement.
| Figure | 2025 | 2035 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | 24,700 | 26,100 | +1,400 (5.7%) |
| Openings a year, average | 1,900 | ||
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | ||
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, Table 1.2 Occupational projections, 2025–35, and worker characteristics, 2025, retrieved 2026-10-03. Openings count growth plus the workers who leave the occupation.
Common questions
How long does it take to become an elevator installer?
A career typically begins with a four-year apprenticeship; documented relevant experience and demonstrated skill may qualify a worker for a shorter one.
How much does it cost to become an elevator installer?
No state license fee is sourced here for elevator installers. The on-the-job training in an apprenticeship is paid.
Do you need a license to be an elevator installer?
In most states, yes; check with your state.
How much do elevator installers make?
Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers earned a median $109,910 a year in May 2025 ($52.84 an hour). The 10th to 90th percentile range is $59,270 to $158,890; Maine pays the most at $143,690.
What is the job outlook for elevator installers?
BLS projects 5.7% growth in employment from 2025 to 2035 (24,700 to 26,100 jobs) and about 1,900 openings a year over the decade, counting growth and replacement.
Sources
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers, read 2026-09-23: the steps, training length and licensing pattern.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates, retrieved 2026-10-03: every wage and employment figure. How the numbers are built.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, Table 1.2, retrieved 2026-10-03: growth, openings and entry education.