Elevator mechanic salary and apprentice pay

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for elevator and escalator installers and repairers was $109,910 in May 2025, or about $52.84 an hour. Apprentices are paid while they train, typically starting at around 40 to 50% of the mechanic rate and rising each year.

Qualified mechanics

Measure (BLS, May 2025)	Annual pay
Lowest 10% earned less than	$59,270
Median	$109,910
Highest 10% earned more than	$158,890

By industry, BLS reports medians of $116,480 in government and $113,290 for building equipment contractors. A median means half earn more and half less; actual pay depends on your local's agreement, your region and overtime. BLS notes that installers may work overtime for emergency repairs or construction deadlines, and may be on call.

Apprentice pay

You are paid from the start. BLS says starting pay for apprentices is usually about 50% of what fully trained workers make, with raises as they progress. NEIEP's FAQ puts first-year wages at typically 40 to 50% of a journeyperson's wages, increasing by a fixed percentage as each year is completed.

NEIEP's FAQ also says there is no out-of-pocket cost to attend school as an apprentice: classroom training runs alongside paid work.

A real example: Local 23, Portland

The Northwest Labor Press reported in July 2025 that journeyman elevator constructors in IUEC Local 23 earned $67.89 an hour plus $43.87 an hour in fringe benefits, with apprentices starting at $33.95 an hour, which is 50% of the journeyman rate. Rates differ between locals and change with each agreement, so check your own local's current figures.

Why the pay drives competition

Six-figure median pay with no degree and no tuition debt is why recruitments can fill quickly and why locals can be selective. Local 23 hit its 750-application cap in less than 36 hours in 2025. Places depend on how much work contractors have, so passing the test puts you on a ranked list rather than straight into a job.

What that means for preparing

With that much riding on a single recruitment, a few weeks of preparation is a small investment. See how to become an elevator mechanic for the full route, or try a free timed sample on our EIAT practice page.