How much do elevator mechanics make in 2026?
Elevator mechanics earned a national median of $109,910 a year ($52.84/hr) in the latest federal wage data available (BLS OEWS, May 2025 estimates). BLS counts about 23,790 people employed in this occupation in the U.S.
Annual and hourly wages, all U.S. industries. Occupation used: Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers (SOC 47-4021). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What the percentiles mean
The median is the middle: half of elevator mechanics earned more and half earned less. The 25th–75th percentile range ($79,290–$135,720) is what the middle half of workers earned. Newer workers and apprentices tend to be near the low end, and experienced, licensed or specialized workers near the high end. BLS does not publish pay by years of experience, so treat any experience-based number as an estimate.
Elevator mechanics pay by state
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. "Not published" means BLS did not release that estimate (too few survey responses, or not enough workers to publish).
| State | Median / yr | Median / hr | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $103,700 | $49.86 | $73,010 | $113,550 | 170 |
| Alaska | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| Arizona | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| Arkansas | $61,530 | $29.58 | $37,870 | $106,860 | 60 |
| California | $141,180 | $67.88 | $74,670 | $173,920 | 1,910 |
| Colorado | $123,360 | $59.31 | $46,060 | $135,810 | 530 |
| Connecticut | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| Delaware | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| District of Columbia | $122,570 | $58.93 | $65,870 | $148,490 | Not published |
| Florida | $104,730 | $50.35 | $58,440 | $123,830 | 2,790 |
| Georgia | $83,500 | $40.14 | $34,270 | $124,320 | 640 |
| Hawaii | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| Idaho | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| Illinois | $133,690 | $64.27 | $67,460 | $166,740 | 1,080 |
| Indiana | $92,390 | $44.42 | $58,450 | $125,840 | 120 |
| Iowa | $115,300 | $55.43 | $65,470 | $128,160 | 90 |
| Kansas | $84,760 | $40.75 | $49,550 | $143,430 | 70 |
| Kentucky | $42,670 | $20.51 | $39,420 | $98,480 | Not published |
| Louisiana | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| Maine | $143,690 | $69.08 | $79,300 | $158,750 | 110 |
| Maryland | $122,260 | $58.78 | $78,620 | $132,540 | 810 |
| Massachusetts | $138,420 | $66.55 | $78,600 | $154,280 | Not published |
| Michigan | $99,140 | $47.67 | $47,820 | $142,110 | 560 |
| Minnesota | $128,020 | $61.55 | $64,940 | $135,490 | 550 |
| Mississippi | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | 80 |
| Missouri | $126,750 | $60.94 | $76,980 | $150,590 | 450 |
| Montana | $90,370 | $43.45 | $60,380 | $100,350 | 40 |
| Nebraska | $117,690 | $56.58 | $62,150 | $122,410 | 140 |
| Nevada | $141,950 | $68.25 | $102,920 | $174,710 | 510 |
| New Hampshire | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| New Jersey | $137,920 | $66.31 | $89,410 | $173,530 | 800 |
| New Mexico | $71,430 | $34.34 | $42,640 | $117,890 | 110 |
| New York | $135,720 | $65.25 | $78,180 | $168,370 | 3,470 |
| North Carolina | $107,700 | $51.78 | $46,710 | $123,770 | 240 |
| North Dakota | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| Ohio | $105,020 | $50.49 | $56,860 | $123,460 | 690 |
| Oklahoma | $105,430 | $50.69 | $36,110 | $122,310 | 140 |
| Oregon | $138,600 | $66.64 | $76,440 | $159,230 | 230 |
| Pennsylvania | $117,250 | $56.37 | $63,280 | $132,640 | 900 |
| Rhode Island | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| South Carolina | $90,860 | $43.68 | $60,450 | $125,260 | 540 |
| South Dakota | $116,320 | $55.92 | $83,270 | $120,090 | Not published |
| Tennessee | $100,490 | $48.31 | $59,520 | $121,130 | 700 |
| Texas | $102,140 | $49.11 | $55,820 | $121,800 | 2,030 |
| Utah | $81,060 | $38.97 | $61,930 | $121,780 | 280 |
| Vermont | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| Virginia | $108,250 | $52.04 | $50,220 | $131,620 | 280 |
| Washington | $137,180 | $65.95 | $76,120 | $160,420 | 540 |
| West Virginia | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| Wisconsin | $77,640 | $37.33 | $48,620 | $126,830 | 370 |
| Wyoming | Not published by BLS for this state | ||||
| Puerto Rico | $38,190 | $18.36 | $21,840 | $45,250 | 130 |
How to earn more as a elevator mechanic
- Most elevator mechanics enter through a 4-year apprenticeship, commonly run by the IUEC and NEIEP, and work toward the mechanic exam.
- Many states and cities require an elevator mechanic license. Check your state rules early.
- Service, repair and modernization work adds call-out and overtime pay on top of new installation.
- Electrical and electronics skills (controllers, troubleshooting) speed up promotion.
- Move toward adjuster, foreman or inspector roles once you are experienced.
Find elevator mechanic work
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FAQ
How much do elevator mechanics make an hour?
The national median wage for Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers (SOC 47-4021) was $52.84 an hour, or $109,910 a year, in the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates. Half earned more and half earned less.
What do the highest-paid elevator mechanics earn?
The top 10% earned at least $158,890 a year ($76.39/hr). The bottom 10% earned less than $59,270 ($28.49/hr).
Which states pay elevator mechanics the most?
By median annual wage in the BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates: Maine ($143,690); Nevada ($141,950); California ($141,180). Living costs differ by state, too.
Where do these numbers come from?
From the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-4021 (Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers). They cover wage and salary workers in all industries, not the self-employed, and are not broken out by experience.
Source and method
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Files oesm25nat and oesm25st from bls.gov, downloaded Nov 8, 2026. Occupation: Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers (SOC 47-4021), cross-industry, all ownerships. OEWS wages are straight-time gross pay: they include commissions, production bonuses, tips and on-call pay, and exclude overtime, shift differentials and nonproduction bonuses. Annual wages are generally the hourly wage times 2,080 hours. "Not published" = estimate not released by BLS. BLS occupation profile · All pay guides