Also called: Elevator Installer and Repairer
Installs and repairs elevators, escalators, and moving walkways.
Elevator mechanics ride on top of elevator cars inside shafts, rebuild motors and brakes, and get stuck-elevator emergency calls. It is one of the highest-paid trades in America, and most people never think about it.
BLS median about $106k (May 2024).
Apprenticeship, about 4 years after high school. 4-5 year paid union apprenticeship (IUEC/NEIEP); no college needed.
Ways in: Apprenticeship. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Elevator Technology (apprenticeship), Electrical Technology.
Growing faster than average (about 5% over 10 years).
Low risk for 10 years. Elevators get smarter remote diagnostics, but installing and rebuilding them inside shafts is skilled hands-on trade work.
Classes: Electrical CTE, Algebra II, Physics, Shop class.
Official data: O*NET occupation 47-4021.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.