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Elevator Installer · 2026 salary + AI outlook

Elevator Installer salary — and how to earn like the top 1%

$102,420median / year · about $49 an hour (BLS)

Installing and commissioning elevators stays fully hands-on; installers who reach adjuster level and chase high-rise overtime top one of construction's best-paid trades.

Entry level
$57,380
Top earners
$138,270
Job growth
+3%
AI exposure
Low
🏆 The Top 1% Playbook

How to reach the top 1% of Elevator Installers

Four moves, straight from how the highest-paid in this field use AI in 2026:

1
Get into IUEC/NEIEP The International Union of Elevator Constructors apprenticeship, run through NEIEP, is the gateway to one of the highest-paid building trades. Union scale plus benefits far outpaces the non-union route.
2
Become an adjuster Train up to the adjuster role — the specialist who commissions and fine-tunes a new install's controls and ride quality. It's the highest-skilled, best-paid installer position on any job site.
3
Chase high-rise overtime Target major commercial and high-rise construction where install schedules run heavy overtime. On elevator scale, the OT and premium shifts are where the biggest paychecks are actually made.
4
Add QEI and modernization Pick up modernization work and a Qualified Elevator Inspector (QEI) credential. Retrofitting aging buildings to current code is a steady, high-value pipeline distinct from the new-construction cycle.
💡 The move that pays: Becoming the adjuster who commissions the controls — the top of the installer skill ladder — is the surest route to the highest install pay.
HomeJob Salaries › Elevator Installer Salary

Elevator Installer Salary in 2026

Elevator Installer pay, in real terms

Per hour
$49.24
Per week
$1,970
Every 2 weeks
$3,939
Per month
$8,535

At the national median of $102,420/year, a elevator installer earns $8,535/month before taxes. Over a 30-year career that's roughly $3,072,600 in gross earnings — and that's before raises, promotions, or bonuses.

That puts this role about 113% above the U.S. median wage for all workers (about $48,060/year, per BLS). Using the common rule of keeping housing under 30% of gross pay, this salary supports about $2,560/month in rent or mortgage.

Figures are gross (pre-tax) estimates from the national median; use the take-home and hourly calculators on PayCrunch for your exact state and situation.

Updated June 2026 · BLS Data
How much does a Elevator Installer make?
$102,420per year
National median salary · $49.24/hour · $8,535/month
Hourly
$49.24
Monthly
$8,535
Weekly
$1,970
Daily
$394
Estimated take-home
$80,211/yr
Adjust Your Market Position
$102,420/yr
Entry Level · $57,380 Top Earner · $138,270
IRS.gov data
BLS.gov verified
All 50 states
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What Does a Elevator Installer Do?

Elevator installers and repairers install, fix, and maintain elevators, escalators, and moving walkways.

Elevator Installer Salary by State

Select your state to see the adjusted elevator installer salary based on cost-of-living differences.

Select a state above

How to Become a Elevator Installer

Education: High school diploma + apprenticeship (4 years)

Certifications: State elevator mechanic license; OSHA

1. Earn a high school diploma.

2. Complete an IUEC apprenticeship (4 years).

3. Gain electrical, mechanical, and electronic expertise.

4. Obtain state license.

5. Specialize.

Career path:Apprentice → Journeyman → Mechanic-in-Charge → Supervisor → Superintendent

Elevator Installer Salary by Experience

Entry level
$57,380
Mid-career
$102,420
Senior
$130,000

Estimates based on BLS percentile data and industry surveys. Actual salaries vary by employer, location, and individual qualifications.

Top 10 Highest-Paying States for Elevator Installers

#StateAnnualMonthlyHourly
1Hawaii$120,856$10,071$58.10
2California$117,783$9,815$56.63
3New York$117,783$9,815$56.63
4Massachusetts$114,710$9,559$55.15
5New Jersey$114,710$9,559$55.15
6Connecticut$112,662$9,388$54.16
7Washington$112,662$9,388$54.16
8Maryland$110,614$9,218$53.18
9Alaska$107,541$8,962$51.70
10Colorado$107,541$8,962$51.70

State salaries estimated using BLS national median adjusted by regional cost-of-living factors.

Compare to Related Jobs

Job TitleMedian SalaryHourlyDifference
Elevator Installer$102,420$49.24
Electrician$65,280$31.38$-37,140
HVAC Technician$57,300$27.55$-45,120
Plumber$65,190$31.34$-37,230
Lineman$85,540$41.13$-16,880
Millwright$63,010$30.29$-39,410
Ironworker$61,100$29.37$-41,320

Job Outlook

The BLS projects +3% growth for elevator installers through 2032, which is about average compared to the average for all occupations (3%).

🆕 New & Trending AI Tools for Elevator InstallerReviewed July 2026

We track new AI-tool launches every week and refresh this list — here’s what’s gaining traction for Elevator Installer work right now.

Workiz AINEWPaid / see site

Field-service software with an AI receptionist that answers and books calls.

How an Elevator Installer uses it: never miss a job call — AI answers, quotes, and schedules

HandoffNEWPaid / see site

AI estimating that turns a scope into a priced proposal.

How an Elevator Installer uses it: produce accurate estimates and proposals in minutes, not hours

Trunk ToolsNEWPaid / see site

AI assistant that answers questions from job plans, specs, and submittals on site.

How an Elevator Installer uses it: ask a question and get the answer pulled straight from the project drawings/specs

NotebookLMNEWFree / $7.99 mo

Google tool that answers questions grounded only in the documents you give it — with citations.

How an Elevator Installer uses it: load your own manuals, policies, or PDFs and ask questions that stay accurate to the source

ChatGPTFree / $20 mo

AI assistant that answers code, spec, and troubleshooting questions in plain language.

How an Elevator Installer uses it: look up code requirements, size a circuit, or troubleshoot a fault on the spot

ServiceTitan Titan IntelligenceQuote-based

AI across dispatch, scheduling, and customer follow-up for trades.

How an Elevator Installer uses it: route jobs, price work, and follow up with customers automatically

BuildOpsCustom pricing

Commercial trades platform with AI estimating and job management.

How an Elevator Installer uses it: manage bids, jobs, and techs with AI-assisted estimating

ClaudeFree / $20 mo

AI assistant known for careful writing, long-document analysis, and coding.

How an Elevator Installer uses it: analyze big reports or spreadsheets and turn messy notes into clean, finished writing

Google GeminiFree / $20 mo

Google's AI assistant, built into Gmail, Docs, and Search.

How an Elevator Installer uses it: draft and reply inside Google Workspace and research without leaving the page

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an elevator installer make?
The national median salary is $102,420 per year — one of the highest-paid trades.
Is elevator installing a good career?
Excellent. One of the highest-paying trades with strong union support.
How long does it take?
4 years through an IUEC apprenticeship.
Are elevator installers in demand?
Steady demand from building construction and modernization needs.
Why do elevator mechanics make so much?
Specialized skills, dangerous conditions, and strong union representation.
Methodology and data sources

Salary data is based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) program. National median, 10th percentile, and 90th percentile figures are sourced from the most recent BLS OES release. State-level salary estimates are calculated by applying regional price parity adjustments from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) to the national median. Job growth projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program. Education and certification requirements are based on BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook descriptions. All figures are approximate and updated periodically.

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