How to Land the Highest-Paying Blue-Collar Job: Elevator Technician

Elevator technicians rank among the top 1% of blue‑collar earners in the U.S., with salaries far exceeding the national average. If you’re seeking a lucrative career without a four‑year degree, this profession combines technical expertise, job security, and exceptional earning potential. Here’s how to break into this high‑demand field as an elevator service technician or maintenance technician and capitalize on its financial rewards.

Why Elevator Technicians Earn Top Dollar

Elevator installation and repair is a high‑skill, high‑stakes industry. Modern elevators and escalators rely on complex mechanical, electrical, and computerized systems, requiring specialized knowledge—often taught in elevator technician training programs at specialized schools. This expertise translates into premium pay:

• Median annual salary: $106,580 (as of 2024), with top earners exceeding $128,000.
• Hourly wages: Range from $23 to $49.64 per hour, depending on location and experience. States like Oregon and Washington offer the highest wages, exceeding $100,000 annually.

Because only around 20,700 elevator technicians work nationwide—and demand is growing 13% through 2025—employers advertise roles like elevator technician near me and recruit heavily from trade schools for elevator technician graduates. Competitive pay and benefits keep experienced elevator service technicians in high demand.

Steps to Become an Elevator Technician

1. Meet Basic Requirements

To start your journey in elevator technician training, you generally need:
• A high school diploma or GED (some trade schools for elevator technician accept equivalent qualifications).
• Be at least 17 or 18 years old, depending on the apprenticeship program you find when you search “elevator technician near me.”
• Authorization to work in the United States.
• Physical fitness to handle lifting, climbing, and working in confined spaces—essential traits for any maintenance technician.
• Basic math and mechanical aptitude, often assessed by an aptitude test.

2. Pass the Elevator Industry Aptitude Test (EIAT)

Most apprenticeship programs require applicants to pass the Elevator Industry Aptitude Test (EIAT). This test evaluates your reading comprehension, mechanical reasoning, and math skills relevant to lifting systems. Preparing through sample tests and study guides is part of elevator technician training, and trade schools for elevator technician often offer prep classes.

3. Complete a Paid Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships are the cornerstone of how to become an elevator technician. Sponsored by unions (e.g., International Union of Elevator Constructors) or companies like Otis Elevator, these programs blend:
• 2,000 hours/year of on‑the‑job training: Hands‑on experience in installation, maintenance, and safety protocols under a certified elevator service technician.
• 144 hours/year of classroom instruction: Covering electrical theory, blueprint reading, and code compliance—core modules in many elevator technician training curricula.

Apprentices earn 40–50% of a journeyman’s wage during training, with incremental raises each year.

4. Obtain Licensure and Certifications

Most states require licensure to work as a full elevator technician. Key credentials include:
• Elevator Technician Certification (CET): Validates expertise in troubleshooting and repairs.
• Qualified Elevator Inspector (QEI): For roles in safety compliance.

These Elevator Technician Certification credentials can push your earnings past $110,000 as a certified elevator service technician.

5. Apply for Elevator Technician Jobs

With your apprenticeship completed and certifications in hand, you can search “elevator technician near me” on job boards to find positions for maintenance technician or full elevator mechanic roles. Highlight your elevator technician training, certifications, and hands‑on experience in your resume. Employers seek candidates familiar with safety standards, electrical systems, and mechanical troubleshooting.

Why This Career Stands Out

1. Unmatched Earning Potential

Elevator technicians outearn 90% of blue‑collar workers. Compare with other trades:
• Plumbers: Median $60,000/year.
• HVAC technicians: Median $55,000/year.

Overtime pay and emergency call‑outs, core skills of an elevator service technician, can add $10,000–$20,000/year to base salaries—especially in metro areas where you’ll search “elevator technician near me.”

2. Job Security in a Tech‑Driven Industry

Urbanization and aging infrastructure ensure steady demand. Cities like New York and San Francisco, with high‑rise density, rely heavily on skilled maintenance technician professionals for modernization projects. Advancements in smart elevators and IoT‑enabled systems create new opportunities for tech‑savvy elevator technicians.

3. Career Advancement Pathways

Experienced technicians can transition into roles like:
• Project Managers: Overseeing large‑scale installations (salaries up to $140,000).
• Field Supervisors: Leading teams and training apprentices.

Companies like KONE and Otis prioritize internal promotions, offering clear paths to leadership for those who've completed Elevator Technician Certification and excelled in on‑the‑job elevator technician training.

Challenges to Consider

While financially rewarding, becoming an elevator technician or maintenance technician demands:
• Physical stamina: Climbing ladders, lifting heavy components, and working in confined spaces during both training and career.
• Risk management: Strict adherence to safety protocols—an emphasis of every reputable elevator technician training program.

Rigorous apprenticeship programs and union protections mitigate these risks, ensuring you learn from experienced elevator service technicians.

Conclusion

Elevator technicians represent the pinnacle of blue‑collar careers, blending six‑figure earning potential with long‑term stability. By investing in trade schools for elevator technician, completing paid apprenticeships, and earning Elevator Technician Certification, you position yourself for success in a sector critical to modern infrastructure.

Take action now: search “elevator technician near me,” explore elevator technician training programs, and begin your path to a rewarding career as an elevator service technician or maintenance technician. Your future in a well‑paid, skilled trade awaits!

Sources:
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024
• 10 Highest-Paying Blue-Collar Jobs for 2025 2024