Elevator Mechanic in Florida: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Florida employs 2,790 elevator mechanics, with a statewide median of $104,730 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Florida licensing picture, and where to train.
What Elevator mechanics Earn in Florida (May 2025)
- Florida median pay
- $104,730 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $58,440
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $114,180
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $123,830
- Employed in Florida
- 2,790
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $99,000 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for elevator mechanics in major Florida markets:
- Tampa Bay
- $105,990 (380 employed)
- Orlando
- $104,860 (360 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Florida
Prices in Florida run about 3% above the national average (cost-of-living index 103.4 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $104,730 median is worth closer to $101,286 once higher local prices are factored in.
Job Outlook in Florida (2026–2034)
Florida is projected to grow elevator mechanics employment +12.6%, faster than the +5.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 210 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Florida License and Certification Requirements
Certified Elevator Technician (Certificate of Competency) — regulated by the Florida DBPR — Division of Professions, Elevator Safety.
- Florida requires a Certificate of Competency from DBPR before you can independently install, maintain, or repair elevators. The standard path: complete the IUEC/NEIEP apprenticeship (4–5 years, 8,000 OJT hours), which satisfies the 4-year experience requirement.
- Apply to DBPR for the Certificate of Competency; pass the Florida elevator technician exam. Maintain general liability insurance ($100K per person / $300K per occurrence minimum).
- Certificate renews biennially. Florida's ongoing condo construction, theme park expansion (Orlando), and port development keep elevator mechanics busy statewide.
Official requirements: Florida DBPR — Division of Professions, Elevator Safety →
Training in Florida
IUEC Local 51 (Miami), Local 74 (Tampa/Central Florida), and Local 71 (Jacksonville) run NEIEP apprenticeship programs. Orlando's theme park industry (Disney, Universal, SeaWorld) employs a significant number of elevator/escalator mechanics with unusual specializations.
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who want top-tier trade wages, don't mind heights and confined spaces, and are comfortable with both electrical and mechanical systems.
Think twice if: Claustrophobia, heights, or working alone in machine rooms and shafts sounds difficult.
Why it's resilient: Elevator installation and repair requires licensed, site-specific mechanical and electrical work inside buildings that will always need working vertical transport.
First Steps
Find your local NEIEP (National Elevator Industry Educational Program) or IUEC apprenticeship.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do elevator mechanics make in Florida?
The median wage for elevator mechanics in Florida is $104,730 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $58,440, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $123,830. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become an Elevator Mechanic in Florida?
Certified Elevator Technician (Certificate of Competency), overseen by the Florida DBPR — Division of Professions, Elevator Safety. Florida requires a Certificate of Competency from DBPR before you can independently install, maintain, or repair elevators. The standard path: complete the IUEC/NEIEP apprenticeship (4–5 years, 8,000 OJT hours), which satisfies the 4-year experience requirement.
Is being an Elevator Mechanic a good career in Florida?
Elevator installation and repair requires licensed, site-specific mechanical and electrical work inside buildings that will always need working vertical transport.
Which Florida metros pay elevator mechanics the most?
Among Florida metro areas, Tampa Bay leads at $105,990, followed by Orlando ($104,860). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Is Elevator Mechanic a growing career in Florida?
Florida projects elevator mechanics employment to change +12.6% from 2026 to 2034, with about 210 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Florida statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-4021. Licensing summary compiled from the Florida DBPR — Division of Professions, Elevator Safety (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Florida wages · Florida licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.