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Elevator Mechanic in Indiana: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

Indiana employs 120 elevator mechanics, with a statewide median of $92,390 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Indiana licensing picture, and where to train.

What Elevator mechanics Earn in Indiana (May 2025)

Indiana median pay: $92,390 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $58,450
Experienced (75th percentile): $122,330
Top earners (90th percentile): $125,840
Employed in Indiana: 120
U.S. median (for comparison): $99,000 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for elevator mechanics in major Indiana markets:

Indianapolis: $116,520 (50 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Indiana

Prices in Indiana run about 7% below the national average (cost-of-living index 93.3 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $92,390 median stretches to roughly $99,025 in national buying-power terms.

Indiana License and Certification Requirements

Indiana Elevator Mechanic License — regulated by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) — Division of Fire and Building Safety.

Indiana issues its own elevator mechanic license through the Division of Fire and Building Safety. Eligibility options: (1) IUEC/NEIEP apprenticeship completion (4–5 years, equivalent to 3 years elevator industry experience); (2) 3 years documented elevator industry experience + pass written competency exam; (3) 18 months elevator experience + 3 years in a related certified field.
Pay the $100 license fee and submit your application with experience documentation verified by licensed elevator contractors.
Contact IUEC Local 44 (Indianapolis) or neiep.org for apprenticeship applications. Indianapolis's new high-rise development, healthcare campus expansion (IU Health, Ascension), and suburban office/retail construction create consistent elevator mechanic demand.

Official requirements: Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) — Division of Fire and Building Safety →

Training in Indiana

Indiana's elevator mechanic license is directly administered by IDHS and requires state testing for the experience pathway — unlike states where IUEC NEIEP completion automatically grants licensure. IUEC Local 44 covers Indianapolis and central Indiana. Indiana elevator mechanic wages are strong relative to the state's general wage levels, making this one of the highest-paying trades accessible in Indiana.

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 Indiana?

The median wage for elevator mechanics in Indiana is $92,390 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $58,450, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $125,840. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become an Elevator Mechanic in Indiana?

Indiana Elevator Mechanic License, overseen by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) — Division of Fire and Building Safety. Indiana issues its own elevator mechanic license through the Division of Fire and Building Safety. Eligibility options: (1) IUEC/NEIEP apprenticeship completion (4–5 years, equivalent to 3 years elevator industry experience); (2) 3 years documented elevator industry experience + pass written competency exam; (3) 18 months elevator experience + 3 years in a related certified field.

Is being an Elevator Mechanic a good career in Indiana?

Elevator installation and repair requires licensed, site-specific mechanical and electrical work inside buildings that will always need working vertical transport.

Which Indiana metros pay elevator mechanics the most?

Among Indiana metro areas, Indianapolis leads at $116,520. Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Indiana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-4021. Licensing summary compiled from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) — Division of Fire and Building 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 Indiana wages · Indiana licensing/certification source

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.