Elevator Mechanic in Montana: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Montana employs 40 elevator mechanics, with a statewide median of $90,370 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Montana licensing picture, and where to train.
What Elevator mechanics Earn in Montana (May 2025)
- Montana median pay
- $90,370 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $60,380
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $98,360
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $100,350
- Employed in Montana
- 40
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $99,000 (May 2024)
What That Pay Is Worth in Montana
Prices in Montana run about 5% below the national average (cost-of-living index 94.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $90,370 median stretches to roughly $95,529 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Montana (2024–2034)
Montana is projected to grow elevator mechanics employment +15.0%, faster than the +5.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 10 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Montana License and Certification Requirements
Conveyance work via apprenticeship (state regulates elevator safety/inspections) — regulated by the Montana DLI — Building Codes (elevator safety/inspections).
- Enter the trade through the NEIEP apprenticeship (IUEC) — earn while you learn.
- Accumulate the required years of conveyance experience plus related instruction.
- Montana regulates elevator safety/inspections through DLI — complete any required registration for your role.
Official requirements: Montana DLI — Building Codes (elevator safety/inspections) →
Training in Montana
One of the highest-paid trades; entry is competitive and union-driven. Apply to NEIEP/IUEC openings when they post.
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 Montana?
The median wage for elevator mechanics in Montana is $90,370 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $60,380, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $100,350. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become an Elevator Mechanic in Montana?
Conveyance work via apprenticeship (state regulates elevator safety/inspections), overseen by the Montana DLI — Building Codes (elevator safety/inspections). Enter the trade through the NEIEP apprenticeship (IUEC) — earn while you learn.
Is being an Elevator Mechanic a good career in Montana?
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 Montana?
Montana projects elevator mechanics employment to change +15.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 10 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), Montana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-4021. Licensing summary compiled from the Montana DLI — Building Codes (elevator safety/inspections) (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 Montana wages · Montana 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.