Salary guide

Elevator Technician Salary & Pay Scale (2026)

What elevator technicians earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
How much does an elevator technician make?

The median elevator technician salary in the U.S. is $109,910 per year, or $52.84 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $59,270, while the top 10% earned more than $158,890.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Elevator Technician pay scale

Elevator Technician pay by percentile, May 2025
PercentileAnnualHourly*What it usually reflects
10th percentile$59,270$28.50Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings
25th percentile$79,290$38.12Early career, a year or two of experience
Median (50th)$109,910$52.84Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile$135,720$65.25Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers
90th percentile$158,890$76.39Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas

*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.

Monthly and biweekly pay

Pay periodAt 25th percentileAt medianAt 75th percentile
Per year$79,290$109,910$135,720
Per month$6,608$9,159$11,310
Every two weeks$3,050$4,227$5,220
Per week$1,525$2,114$2,610

Gross pay before taxes and deductions.

What affects elevator technician pay

  • Union versus non-union employment and local wage agreements
  • License level (apprentice, journeyworker, master or contractor)
  • Overtime, per diem and travel work
  • Specialization (industrial, commercial, renewable energy, high voltage)
  • Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median

How to earn more as an elevator technician

  1. Get credentialed: State elevator mechanic license, Certified Elevator Technician (CET), Qualified Elevator Inspector (QEI).
  2. Build specialty experience: Install and service elevators independently.
  3. Move up: roles such as adjuster or modernization specialist and supervisor, inspector or sales manager typically pay more.
  4. Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.

Elevator Technician pay vs. related careers

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of elevator technicians to change by +5.7% from 2025–35, faster than average compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,900 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.

About this data

Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 47-4021 (“Elevator and escalator installers and repairers”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.

Elevator Technician salary FAQ

How much does an elevator technician make per hour?

The median hourly wage for elevator technicians was $52.84 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $28.50 and the top 10% earned about $76.39 or more.

How much does an elevator technician make a month?

At the median annual wage of $109,910, that works out to about $9,159 per month before taxes, or about $4,227 every two weeks.

What is the starting salary for an elevator technician?

New elevator technicians often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $59,270 and the 25th percentile was $79,290 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.

How can elevator technicians earn more?

Common ways include earning State elevator mechanic license and Certified Elevator Technician (CET), gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as adjuster or modernization specialist.

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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