Who Earns What

How much does an elevator repairer make?

US Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers
$109,910

a year · about $53 an hour

A typical elevator repairer in the United States makes $109,910 a year, about $53 an hour, about 2.2× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

What do they do?

They inspect elevators, grease moving parts, replace worn pieces, and test controls to find faults. When a breakdown happens, they use tools to repair the lift and keep records of the work.

Did you know? In the United States, elevator repairers may be on call 24 hours a day in case an elevator needs an emergency repair.

Is that a lot?

Compared with jobs you know
This job$109,910
Typical worker$50,980
Elementary teacher$63,970
Doctor$244,180
Cashier$32,880

If 100 people had this job

Most earn between $59,270 and $158,890
50 of 100
more than half

How do you become one?

In the United States, finish high school, then usually enter a four-year apprenticeship with classroom lessons and paid job training. Most states require a license, so check the rules where you plan to work.

School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience

Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized

Why does pay differ?

In the United States, experience and in-demand skills or licenses can affect pay; so can the employer, industry, and location. Overtime for emergencies and extra skills such as welding can also make a difference.

Where does it pay most?

Highest in Nevada ($141,950), lowest in South Carolina ($90,860).

See every state
Whole US$109,910
Nevada$141,950
California$141,180
New Jersey$137,920
Washington$137,180
New York$135,720
Texas$102,140
Tennessee$100,490
South Carolina$90,860

Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.

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Who earns more?
Data table and sources
Elevator repairer pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread) — Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lower earner (10th from bottom)Typical person (median)Higher earner (10th from top)People in this job
$59,270$109,910$158,890about 24,000
States where elevator repairers earn the most (median, May 2025)
StateTypical person (median)People in this job
Nevada$141,950about 510
California$141,180about 2,000
New Jersey$137,920about 800
Washington$137,180about 540
New York$135,720about 3,000

Official definition: Assemble, install, repair, or maintain electric or hydraulic freight or passenger elevators, escalators, or dumbwaiters.

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine

Pages used for the text

Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY