Elevator Mechanic in Massachusetts: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Elevator mechanics in Massachusetts earn a statewide median of $138,420, with wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Massachusetts licensing picture, and where to train.
What Elevator mechanics Earn in Massachusetts (May 2025)
- Massachusetts median pay
- $138,420 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $78,600
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $153,760
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $154,280
- Employed in Massachusetts
- Not published (BLS suppressed)
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $99,000 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for elevator mechanics in major Massachusetts markets:
- Boston
- $150,120
What That Pay Is Worth in Massachusetts
Prices in Massachusetts run about 6% above the national average (cost-of-living index 105.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $138,420 median is worth closer to $130,832 once higher local prices are factored in.
Job Outlook in Massachusetts (2024–2034)
Massachusetts is projected to grow elevator mechanics employment +7.2%, faster than the +5.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 40 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Massachusetts License and Certification Requirements
Elevator Mechanic License — regulated by the Massachusetts Board of Elevator Examiners.
- Register as an elevator constructor apprentice with the Massachusetts Division of Apprentice Training (DAT). Complete the IUEC (International Union of Elevator Constructors)/NEIEP apprenticeship — 5 years / 6,000 OJT hours under a licensed Massachusetts elevator mechanic, plus minimum 450 hours of Board-approved classroom training.
- Apply to the Massachusetts Board of Elevator Examiners for your elevator mechanic license. The Board requires documented apprenticeship hours verified by employers. Apply via MyLicenseOne portal; $75 fee.
- Contact IUEC Local 4 (Boston) or neiep.org for apprenticeship applications. Massachusetts' elevator mechanic exam covers ASME A17.1 (Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators) and Massachusetts-specific regulations.
Official requirements: Massachusetts Board of Elevator Examiners →
Training in Massachusetts
Boston's high-rise development, healthcare campus expansion (Mass General Brigham, Beth Israel Lahey Health), and dense commercial real estate create strong elevator mechanic demand. Massachusetts pays among the highest elevator mechanic wages in the country. IUEC Local 4 covers all of eastern Massachusetts; Local 41 covers western MA. This is one of the highest-paying licensed trades in the state.
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 Massachusetts?
The median wage for elevator mechanics in Massachusetts is $138,420 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $78,600, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $154,280. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become an Elevator Mechanic in Massachusetts?
Elevator Mechanic License, overseen by the Massachusetts Board of Elevator Examiners. Register as an elevator constructor apprentice with the Massachusetts Division of Apprentice Training (DAT). Complete the IUEC (International Union of Elevator Constructors)/NEIEP apprenticeship — 5 years / 6,000 OJT hours under a licensed Massachusetts elevator mechanic, plus minimum 450 hours of Board-approved classroom training.
Is being an Elevator Mechanic a good career in Massachusetts?
Elevator installation and repair requires licensed, site-specific mechanical and electrical work inside buildings that will always need working vertical transport.
Which Massachusetts metros pay elevator mechanics the most?
Among Massachusetts metro areas, Boston leads at $150,120. 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 Massachusetts?
Massachusetts projects elevator mechanics employment to change +7.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 40 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), Massachusetts statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-4021. Licensing summary compiled from the Massachusetts Board of Elevator Examiners (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 Massachusetts wages · Massachusetts 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.