Elevator installers earn the highest median salary of any construction trade — $106,580 nationally (BLS 2024). Entry is through a formal 4–5 year apprenticeship with the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC). This trade is small, specialized, and well-compensated. Getting into the IUEC apprenticeship is competitive but the career ceiling is exceptional.
The Path to Becoming An Elevator Installer
Finish high school or get your GED
Every accredited elevator installer program requires a diploma or GED. Strong math skills and mechanical aptitude are important. Elevator work combines electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic systems knowledge.
Choose your training path
Review the three training options below — vocational certificate, apprenticeship, and community college — and choose the one that fits your timeline, budget, and market availability.
Complete your program
IUEC apprenticeships cover elevator mechanics, electrical systems, hydraulics, safety codes, and modernization of existing equipment.
Build your credentials
4–5 years of documented apprenticeship hours under a licensed elevator mechanic, combined with classroom instruction through the IUEC.
Obtain required licenses or certifications
Most states require a licensed elevator mechanic certificate. Licensing is administered at the state level — Florida, Texas, California, and most major states have specific requirements.
How to Become An Elevator Installer
Not all paths are equal in time, cost, or guaranteed entry. Here is an honest breakdown of each.
The primary and most common path into elevator work is through the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC). This is a paid apprenticeship — you build skills from day one. Entry is competitive and openings are limited.
- Paid apprenticeship — wages increase annually as skills develop
- 4–5 year program with classroom and on-the-job components
- Graduates as a fully licensed Elevator Constructor
- Strong union benefits including health insurance and pension
- Apply through your local IUEC chapter — openings are limited
Some elevator companies (KONE, Otis, Schindler, ThyssenKrupp) offer their own technician training programs outside the IUEC. These are company-specific and generally less common than the union path.
- Company-specific training programs at major OEMs
- Less common than IUEC apprenticeship path
- Check directly with Otis, KONE, Schindler, TK Elevator for openings
- May not provide full IUEC credentials — verify licensing implications
No community college associate degree path exists specifically for elevator installation. Vocational programs in electrical or mechanical technology can serve as preparation for an IUEC apprenticeship application.
- No direct CC-to-elevator-installer path exists
- Electrical or mechanical technology programs strengthen apprenticeship applications
- Math and physics coursework is beneficial preparation
- Focus application efforts on securing an IUEC apprenticeship directly
Licensing & Requirements By State
Requirements vary significantly by state. Here are the specifics for Forged Careers’ primary markets.
Florida
- Elevator mechanic certificate required
- Board: Florida DBPR, Bureau of Elevator Safety
- Miami and Orlando: high-rise construction driving demand
- Apply through IUEC Local 49 (Miami) or Local 74 (Tampa)
Texas
- Elevator inspector and mechanic licensing required
- Board: Texas Department of Insurance
- Dallas, Houston, Austin: major high-rise markets
- Apply through IUEC Local 21 (Houston) or Local 131 (Dallas)
California
- Certified elevator mechanic license required
- Board: California DOSH Elevator Unit
- Highest elevator wages in the country
- Apply through IUEC Local 18 (Los Angeles) or Local 8 (San Francisco)
New York
- NYC: certificate of qualification required
- State: elevator mechanic certification required
- NYC is the largest elevator market in the US
- Apply through IUEC Local 1 (NYC)
Illinois
- Elevator mechanic license required
- Board: Illinois Department of Labor
- Chicago: one of the largest elevator markets nationally
- Apply through IUEC Local 2 (Chicago)
Source: State licensing board requirements as of 2026. Always verify current requirements directly with your state board before applying to a program.
Elevator Installer Career FAQ
How do I become an elevator installer?
The primary path is through the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) apprenticeship program. Apply through your local IUEC chapter. Openings are limited and competitive — a background in electrical or mechanical work strengthens your application. The 4–5 year apprenticeship is paid, so you build skills from day one.
How much do elevator installers make?
The national median is $106,580 (BLS 2024) — the highest median of any construction and extraction occupation tracked by BLS. Top earners exceed $142,000. Entry-level apprentices start around $53,000 and wages increase annually through the apprenticeship.
Is elevator installation a good career?
One of the best in the skilled trades by nearly every metric — median salary, benefits, job stability, and career ceiling. The trade is small (about 25,000 workers nationally) which keeps demand for qualified mechanics consistently high.
How long does elevator training take?
The IUEC apprenticeship runs 4–5 years. Unlike other trades where you go to school first, you enter the apprenticeship directly and earn wages from day one while completing on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
What is the job outlook for elevator installers?
BLS projects 6% growth through 2034. The real story is the modernization market — the United States has hundreds of thousands of aging elevators that require upgrades and replacement. New construction and modernization together provide consistent demand.
Do elevator installers need a license?
Yes. Most states require a licensed elevator mechanic certificate to work independently. Licensing is obtained through the IUEC apprenticeship — graduating apprentices receive their state credentials as part of the program completion process.
See What Elevator Installers Earn
In Your State
Get your free salary projection — built from 2024 BLS data. The highest-paying construction trade in the country.
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