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Somewhere in a machine room thirty floors up, someone is tracing a fault through a control panel to get a stalled elevator car moving again. It’s a job most people never think about — until they’re the ones stuck between floors. It’s also the only trade in the country with a six-figure median wage: $106,580 a year, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. No four-year degree. No student debt. Just a high school diploma and a genuinely difficult apprenticeship to get into.
Here’s what the path actually looks like.
What the Job Actually Pays?
The BLS lists this occupation as “Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers,” and as of the May 2025 wage data, it’s the only trade tracked by BLS with a median annual wage above $100,000. Pay varies significantly by state — Nevada tops the list at $151,500, followed by Hawaii ($132,150), Massachusetts ($126,830), California ($126,110), and New Jersey ($124,970).
That figure is for a certified journeyman mechanic, not a first-year apprentice. Apprentices start considerably lower — typically 40 to 50% of the journeyman rate, stepping up on a fixed schedule as they gain experience through the program.
Why the Pay Is So High?
Two things drive this: the work is genuinely dangerous and technical (electrical theory, hydraulics, code compliance, and confined-space work all in one job), and the entry point is deliberately narrow. The trade is almost entirely run through a single union pipeline, which keeps supply tight relative to the steady demand for elevator installation, maintenance, and repair in every building over a few stories tall.
How to Become an Elevator Technician?
1. Meet the basic eligibility requirements. You need to be at least 18, hold a high school diploma or GED, be authorized to work in the US, and be able to pass a drug screening.
2. Apply during a NEIEP recruitment window. The National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP) — run jointly by the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) and the National Elevator Industry, Inc. — is the primary path into the trade in the US. Local IUEC chapters hold recruitment drives when they need workers, typically every couple of years, not on a continuous rolling basis. You need to actively watch for these windows rather than assume you can apply any time.
3. Pass the Elevator Industry Aptitude Test (EIAT). There’s a $25 testing fee. A score of 70% is required just to make it onto the hiring list — this isn’t a formality.
4. Interview with the Joint Apprenticeship Committee (JAC). Two people conduct it — one from the union side, one from the employer side. They’re evaluating your ability to answer standardized questions about work experience and problem-solving. Relevant training (trade school, OSHA 10/30 certifications, mechanical experience) genuinely helps here.
5. Complete the 4-to-5-year apprenticeship. This combines roughly 8,000 hours of on-the-job training with about 600 hours of classroom instruction covering electrical theory, electronics, hydraulics, elevator code (ASME A17.1), and safety. You’re paid throughout, starting around 40–50% of journeyman wage and increasing on a set schedule, with full benefits — health insurance, pension, annuity — from day one in most locals.
6. Accrue your 8,000 hours and take the mechanic exam. This includes both a written and a practical hands-on component. Passing makes you a certified journeyman mechanic.
The Honest Part: Getting In Is Harder Than the Apprenticeship
Major NEIEP locals routinely receive far more applications than they have slots for, and some have multi-year waitlists just to be considered for the next recruitment cycle. This is one of the most competitive apprenticeship programs in any skilled trade — more selective than electrician or plumber apprenticeships, which run on a more predictable annual intake in most areas.
If you’re serious about this path, building an electrical foundation before you apply — through community college electrical technology courses or hands-on construction experience — is genuinely the biggest differentiator in a competitive selection process, according to people who’ve gone through it.
Job Outlook
Demand is steady rather than explosive: BLS projects about 5% growth, with roughly 2,000 openings projected per year nationally. That’s slower growth than fast-expanding trades like wind turbine technician work, but the field is small (around 24,000 workers nationally), so the competition-to-opening ratio stays tight regardless.
Common Mistakes People Make
Assuming you can apply any time. NEIEP recruitment isn’t continuous. Missing a local’s window means waiting for the next one, sometimes years later.
Underestimating the EIAT. A 70% cutoff sounds achievable, but this test filters out a real portion of applicants. Treat it as something to prepare for, not a formality.
Skipping OSHA certifications before applying. OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certifications are inexpensive and widely available, and they measurably strengthen an application in a field this competitive.
Not building any electrical background first. Candidates with some electrical coursework or hands-on experience consistently stand out in JAC interviews over those with none.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do elevator technicians make? The national median is $106,580 a year (BLS, May 2025) for certified journeyman mechanics — the highest median of any trade BLS tracks. Apprentices start at roughly 40–50% of that and step up through the program.
How long does it take to become an elevator mechanic? Most NEIEP apprenticeships run 4 to 5 years, combining about 8,000 hours of on-the-job training with roughly 600 hours of classroom instruction.
Do I need a college degree? No. A high school diploma or GED is the standard entry requirement.
Is it hard to get into an elevator apprenticeship? Yes — this is widely considered one of the most competitive apprenticeship programs in the skilled trades. Major locals can have multi-year waitlists, and recruitment windows only open periodically.
What does the EIAT test cover? It’s a standardized aptitude test focused on mechanical reasoning and basic math. A 70% score is required to advance to the interview stage.
What’s the difference between an elevator apprentice and a mechanic? An apprentice is in the 4-to-5-year training program, earning a percentage of full wages. A mechanic (journeyman) has completed the apprenticeship, passed the mechanic exam, and earns full wages — the $106,580 median applies here.
Where to Start?
Check NEIEP’s Apprenticeship Opportunities page regularly — recruitment windows can be short, and missing one means a long wait for the next. In the meantime, an OSHA 10 or 30 certification and any electrical coursework you can pick up at a community college will put you ahead of most applicants when a window does open.