Career comparison
Electrician vs. Elevator Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Elevator technicians earn more at the median ($109,910 vs. $63,190), while electricians usually get to work faster (4–5 years (paid apprenticeship) of training). Electricians install, maintain and repair electrical wiring, panels and equipment safely to code. Elevator technicians install, maintain and repair elevators, escalators and moving walkways.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Electrician | Elevator Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $63,190 ($30.38/hr) | $109,910 ($52.84/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $42,640 – $108,510 | $59,270 – $158,890 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +9.2% (much faster than average) | +5.7% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 72,700 | 1,900 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 4–5 years (paid apprenticeship) | 4–5 years (apprenticeship) |
| Key credential | Journeyman electrician license | State elevator mechanic license |
| Work setting | Electricians work indoors and outdoors at construction sites, homes, businesses and factories. | Technicians work in elevator shafts, machine rooms and pits, often in tight, hot or dusty spaces. |
What each job does
Electrician
- Read blueprints, schematics and electrical plans
- Install conduit, wiring, panels, breakers, receptacles and fixtures
- Inspect and test electrical systems with meters and testers
- Troubleshoot and repair faults in circuits, motors and controls
- Follow the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local codes
Elevator Technician
- Install elevator rails, cars, machines and controls
- Wire controllers and safety circuits
- Perform preventive maintenance on routes
- Troubleshoot electrical, mechanical and hydraulic faults
- Test safety devices and perform code-required inspections
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, problem-solving, teamwork, and indoor work. Both are part of the skilled trades & construction field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose electrician if…
- I like working with my hands and solving technical problems
- I’m comfortable with math and following detailed diagrams
- I respect safety rules, and follow them every time
Choose elevator technician if…
- I like electrical and mechanical systems
- I enjoy troubleshooting
- I’m comfortable in tight spaces and at heights
Still torn? Take the Electrician fit quiz and the Elevator Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, electrician or elevator technician?
Elevator Technicians earn more at the median: $109,910 versus $63,190 for electricians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Electricians typically train faster (4–5 years (paid apprenticeship)) than elevator technicians (4–5 years (apprenticeship)).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects electricians to grow +9.2% from 2025–35, compared with +5.7% for elevator technicians.