Elevator Installer
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Keep America's buildings moving up
Elevator installers and repairers assemble, install, maintain, and fix elevators, escalators, moving walkways, and lifts. You will work inside shafts and machine rooms, mounting rails and cables, wiring controls, and diagnosing problems that keep people stuck on the ground floor.
It is one of the highest-paying trades that does not require a college degree. Most workers learn through a four-year apprenticeship, and most states require a license. Every elevator needs regular inspection and repair, so the work keeps coming long after a building is finished.
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What it takes to build the trade
- Mechanical aptitude.
- Installing and adjusting motors, cables, rails, brakes, and hydraulic systems.
- Electrical controls.
- Wiring and troubleshooting the control systems that run modern elevators.
- Working in tight spaces.
- Staying safe and focused in shafts, pits, and machine rooms at height.
- Attention to detail.
- Following strict safety codes, because riders trust the work with their lives.
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The numbers behind the opportunity
National figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay varies by state, experience, and employer.
- $109,910
- Median annual wage, May 2025
- 1,900
- Projected openings each year, 2025–35
- 5.7%
- Projected employment growth, 2025–35
See where you stand
Take our skills assessment or upload your resume to see how your strengths map to a career in the trades.
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