Skilled Trades

Elevator Mechanic

Install, service, and repair elevators, escalators, and lifts. One of the highest-paying trades — top journeymen earn $120k+.

no-degree-requiredhigh-paypaid-traininghands-on

ROI · Strong

Investment vs return

Cost · time · demand normalized 0–100

Expected value

ROI × Attainability ÷ 100

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Compare this career

Salary progression

What you'll earn over your career

$55k

$99k

$145k

Entry

Mid-career

Senior

10-yr outlook

+3%

+3% (Average)

Open positions

2,400

Estimated nationwide

Entry paths

How to get here

Multiple paths lead to this career. Compare time, cost, online vs in-person delivery, and program links.

Fastest ROI

Apprenticeship In Person

NEIEP / IUEC Journeyman

Time

4 years (paid)

Cost

Paid / Free

Top programs

NEIEP (IUEC)In Person Otis ElevatorIn Person

Highly competitive but top trade pay.

Affiliate disclosure: Some of the program links above may be affiliate partnerships. If you enroll, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only link to programs we have actually reviewed against our methodology. See our methodology for how we evaluate schools.

Attainability breakdown

What are the odds
you actually get there?

Six factors weighted to estimate the realistic probability a motivated person reaches this outcome. Higher = more attainable.

Composite

Attainability Score

Data-backed

Educational difficulty
How hard the required schooling is to complete
80
20%
Licensing & exams
Pass rates and difficulty of required exams
75
15%
Entry-job competition
How many applicants per open entry-level role
65
20%
Career stay-rate
Inverse of early-career attrition / industry exit
80
15%
Market demand
Openings vs available workforce
75
15%
Alternative paths
How many viable ways exist to enter the field
55
15%

Quick math

If you took the fastest path…

You'd train for

4 years (paid)

You'd spend (avg)

Paid / Free

Starting salary

$55,000

Mid-career

$99,000

Articles & resources

Elevator Installers – BLS

BLS