Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Apprenticeship
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Elevator and escalator installers and repairers work in a specialized trade that combines mechanical skill, physical work, and problem solving. Nationally, about 24,000 people are employed in this occupation, with a projected employment growth of 5.0%. There are an estimated 2,000 annual openings, which reflects a recurring need for new workers. Typical entry into this field is based on a high school diploma or equivalent, supported by strong mechanical aptitude and other hands-on skills. This career draws on mechanical abilities, fine motor skills, and physical strength and stamina, along with attention to detail and careful decision making. Workers in this field also benefit from critical and analytical thinking, science knowledge, and project management capabilities. Customer service and creativity and innovation round out the skill profile, reflecting the need to work with people and adapt to varying situations. For individuals interested in a skilled, technical trade that involves both physical and analytical work, elevator and escalator installation and repair offers a structured and potentially rewarding path.
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers have a national median annual salary of $106,580, indicating strong earning potential for a trade that typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Earnings can vary significantly by location. Among the top states listed, median salaries range from $108,250 in Virginia to $141,180 in California. New York and Washington also show high median salaries of $135,720 and $137,180, respectively, while Colorado stands at $123,360. At the metro level, earnings can be even higher. The San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area reports a median salary of $173,920, and the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area shows $168,270. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro has a median salary of $136,000, while Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA reports $140,600. These differences highlight how geographic choices can influence pay for professionals in this field.
National employment for elevator and escalator installers and repairers stands at about 24,000, with a projected employment growth rate of 5.0%. This growth projection suggests a measurable expansion of opportunities over time. In addition, there are an estimated 2,000 annual openings in this occupation. These openings can reflect a combination of new positions and the need to replace workers who change jobs or retire. The 5.0% projected growth rate appears consistently across the listed top states and metro areas, indicating that the expansion in demand for this occupation is broadly distributed rather than concentrated in only one or two locations. For job seekers, this steady outlook means there may be ongoing opportunities to enter and advance in the field across multiple regions. While employment numbers differ by state and metro, the consistent growth rate suggests a relatively uniform projection for this trade in many parts of the country.
Location plays a significant role in opportunities for elevator and escalator installers and repairers. Among states, California has a high median salary of $141,180 with employment of 1,910 and an opportunity score of 67.38. New York shows employment of 3,470, a median salary of $135,720, and an opportunity score of 65.78, indicating a sizable workforce and strong conditions. Washington and Colorado offer median salaries of $137,180 and $123,360 with opportunity scores of 56.29 and 56.97, respectively. Virginia presents a median salary of $108,250 and an opportunity score of 54.96. At the metro level, the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area stands out with a median salary of $173,920 and an opportunity score of 77.42, the highest among the listed metros. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro closely follows with an opportunity score of 77.27 and a median salary of $136,000. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA also show strong opportunity scores and high median pay, highlighting multiple attractive urban markets.
The typical education requirement for elevator and escalator installers and repairers is a high school diploma or equivalent. This makes the occupation accessible to individuals who complete secondary education and then focus on building relevant technical and practical skills. Since the role is strongly mechanical, a solid foundation in mechanical understanding and hands-on aptitude is important. Success in this field also draws on being detail oriented and having physical strength and stamina, as well as fine motor skills for precise work. Problem solving and decision making, along with critical and analytical thinking, help workers address technical issues effectively. Science knowledge supports understanding of how systems function, while customer service skills are valuable for interacting with clients or building occupants. Creativity and innovation and project management skills can help manage installations and repairs more efficiently. Together, these skills align with the typical education level, offering a pathway for those who prefer a skills-focused, trade-oriented career rather than extended formal schooling.
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