Elevator Mechanic in Missouri: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Missouri employs 450 elevator mechanics, with a statewide median of $126,750 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Missouri licensing picture, and where to train.
What Elevator mechanics Earn in Missouri (May 2025)
- Missouri median pay
- $126,750 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $76,980
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $134,820
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $150,590
- Employed in Missouri
- 450
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $99,000 (May 2024)
What That Pay Is Worth in Missouri
Prices in Missouri run about 9% below the national average (cost-of-living index 90.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $126,750 median stretches to roughly $139,593 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Missouri (2024–2034)
Missouri is projected to shrink elevator mechanics employment -8.8%, slower than the +5.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 20 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Missouri License and Certification Requirements
No state license — IUEC apprenticeship is the industry credential — regulated by the No Missouri state elevator mechanic license — local requirements only.
- Missouri does not require a state elevator mechanic license. Kansas City and St. Louis may have local permit or registration requirements for elevator work — check city/county building departments.
- Complete the IUEC/NEIEP apprenticeship (4–5 years, 8,000 OJT hours) — this is the universal industry credential even without state licensing. Employers in Missouri require IUEC journeyman status.
- St. Louis and Kansas City are the primary markets. Missouri's central location makes it a hub for travel mechanics working construction projects throughout the Midwest.
Official requirements: No Missouri state elevator mechanic license — local requirements only →
Training in Missouri
IUEC Local 3 (St. Louis) and Local 75 (Kansas City) run NEIEP apprenticeships with paid wages from day one. Without a state license requirement, the IUEC journeyman credential is the single most important factor in hiring and wages.
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 Missouri?
The median wage for elevator mechanics in Missouri is $126,750 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $76,980, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $150,590. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become an Elevator Mechanic in Missouri?
No state license — IUEC apprenticeship is the industry credential, overseen by the No Missouri state elevator mechanic license — local requirements only. Missouri does not require a state elevator mechanic license. Kansas City and St. Louis may have local permit or registration requirements for elevator work — check city/county building departments.
Is being an Elevator Mechanic a good career in Missouri?
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 Missouri?
Missouri projects elevator mechanics employment to change -8.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 20 openings a year — a declining field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Missouri statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-4021. Licensing summary compiled from the No Missouri state elevator mechanic license — local requirements only (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 Missouri wages · Missouri 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.