Elevator Mechanic in Illinois: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Illinois employs 1,080 elevator mechanics, with a statewide median of $133,690 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Illinois licensing picture, and where to train.
What Elevator mechanics Earn in Illinois (May 2025)
- Illinois median pay
- $133,690 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $67,460
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $160,450
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $166,740
- Employed in Illinois
- 1,080
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $99,000 (May 2024)
What That Pay Is Worth in Illinois
Prices in Illinois run right about the national average (cost-of-living index 100.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $133,690 median holds roughly its face value.
Job Outlook in Illinois (2024–2034)
Illinois is projected to grow elevator mechanics employment +5.8%, faster than the +5.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 80 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Illinois License and Certification Requirements
Illinois Elevator Mechanic License — regulated by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
- Complete the IUEC/NEIEP apprenticeship (4–5 years, 8,000 OJT hours) — IUEC Local 2 (Chicago) runs one of the country's most active apprenticeship programs.
- Apply to IDFPR and pass the Illinois elevator mechanic exam. License renews biennially; continuing education is required.
- Chicago has an enormous elevator fleet (over 50,000 units in Cook County) and is one of the highest-demand markets in the country. The city also enforces its own municipal elevator codes, which align with the state license requirement.
Official requirements: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) →
Training in Illinois
IUEC Local 2 (Chicago) is one of the largest elevator locals in the country. Wages in Chicago for elevator mechanics are among the highest in the Midwest. Downstate Illinois (Peoria, Springfield, Rockford) has additional demand — Local 95 serves those markets.
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 Illinois?
The median wage for elevator mechanics in Illinois is $133,690 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $67,460, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $166,740. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become an Elevator Mechanic in Illinois?
Illinois Elevator Mechanic License, overseen by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Complete the IUEC/NEIEP apprenticeship (4–5 years, 8,000 OJT hours) — IUEC Local 2 (Chicago) runs one of the country's most active apprenticeship programs.
Is being an Elevator Mechanic a good career in Illinois?
Elevator installation and repair requires licensed, site-specific mechanical and electrical work inside buildings that will always need working vertical transport.
Is Elevator Mechanic a growing career in Illinois?
Illinois projects elevator mechanics employment to change +5.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 80 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), Illinois statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-4021. Licensing summary compiled from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) (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 Illinois wages · Illinois 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.