# How to Become a Elevator Installer

[Skilled trade guides](/trades/)

Elevator and escalator installers and repairers install, maintain, and fix elevators, escalators, and moving walkways. Median pay is **$109,910 per year** ($52.84/hour), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025.

      2025 median pay$109,910/year ($52.84/hour)
      Entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalent
      Training pathApprenticeship (typically 4 years)
      Job outlookSteady; specialized trade with limited competition
      Jobs in the US25,000+

## The path in, step by step

- Enter through the International Union of Elevator Constructors apprenticeship; it is competitive and sought-after.
- Complete 4 years of paid training combining mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic systems.
- Maintenance and repair mechanics earn on par with installers and work more regular hours.
- On-call emergency repair pays significant premiums.

## How long it takes

4 years to mechanic status.

## What it costs

Paid apprenticeship; the main cost is getting in.

## What working tradespeople say

- The highest median pay of any trade on this list, but also one of the hardest apprenticeships to land.
- It is equal parts electrician, mechanic, and computer tech; diverse aptitude helps.
- Union membership is near-universal, which is a big part of why pay is high.
- Modernization work (upgrading old elevators) is the steadiest segment.

## Run your own numbers

See what the hourly rate means per paycheck with our [salary to hourly calculator](/salary-hourly/), and compare lifetime earnings against a college path with the [compound interest calculator](/compound-interest/) (four years of earning vs four years of tuition changes the math dramatically). When you are job hunting, our [resume templates](/resume-templates/) and [cover letter examples](/cover-letter-examples/) are free.

## More trade guides

- [**Electrician**$63,190/yr median](/trades/electrician/)
- [**Plumber**$63,800/yr median](/trades/plumber/)
- [**HVAC Technician**$61,010/yr median](/trades/hvac-technician/)
- [**Welder**$53,750/yr median](/trades/welder/)
- [**Carpenter**$60,580/yr median](/trades/carpenter/)
- [**Auto Mechanic**$50,620/yr median](/trades/auto-mechanic/)
- [**Ironworker**$62,780/yr median](/trades/ironworker/)
- [**Solar Installer**$53,140/yr median](/trades/solar-installer/)
- [**Truck Driver (CDL)**$58,640/yr median](/trades/truck-driver/)
- [**Boilermaker**$76,410/yr median](/trades/boilermaker/)
- [**Sheet Metal Worker**$61,800/yr median](/trades/sheet-metal-worker/)

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does elevator installer pay?

The national median is $109,910 per year ($52.84/hour) as of May 2025, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Half earn more, half earn less; apprentices start lower and experienced specialists earn much more.

### Do I need college to get into the trades?

No. Every trade on this page lists a high school diploma or a short certificate as the entry credential. The training happens through paid apprenticeships or trade school, not four-year degrees.

### How long does it take to become a elevator installer?

4 years to mechanic status.

### Union or non-union: which is better?

Union apprenticeships generally pay more during training and offer stronger benefits and pensions, but can have waitlists. Non-union paths through contractor associations or direct hire can start faster. Many successful tradespeople do both over a career.

### Will AI replace trade jobs?

Physical trades that work in unpredictable real-world environments (wiring buildings, fixing pipes, driving trucks) are among the hardest jobs to automate. The BLS projects continued openings driven mostly by retirements.