Elevator Mechanic in New Jersey: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
New Jersey employs 800 elevator mechanics, with a statewide median of $137,920 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact New Jersey licensing picture, and where to train.
What Elevator mechanics Earn in New Jersey (May 2025)
- New Jersey median pay
- $137,920 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $89,410
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $167,130
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $173,530
- Employed in New Jersey
- 800
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $99,000 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for elevator mechanics in major New Jersey markets:
- New York–Newark
- $136,000 (3,270 employed)
- Philadelphia
- $132,640 (540 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in New Jersey
Prices in New Jersey run about 9% above the national average (cost-of-living index 108.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $137,920 median is worth closer to $126,765 once higher local prices are factored in.
Job Outlook in New Jersey (2024–2034)
New Jersey is projected to grow elevator mechanics employment +8.8%, 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.
New Jersey License and Certification Requirements
New Jersey Elevator Mechanic License — regulated by the NJ Department of Community Affairs (DCA) — Division of Codes and Standards.
- New Jersey requires an elevator mechanic license through the NJ DCA Division of Codes and Standards. Complete the IUEC/NEIEP apprenticeship (4–5 years, 8,000 OJT hours) as the primary qualifying path.
- Apply to NJ DCA and pass the state elevator mechanic exam. License renews biennially.
- NJ is one of the most active elevator markets in the country — the NYC metro extension (Hudson County, Essex, Union), Philly suburb corridor (Camden, Burlington, Atlantic), and NJ's own commercial development all drive demand.
Official requirements: NJ Department of Community Affairs (DCA) — Division of Codes and Standards →
Training in New Jersey
IUEC Local 1 (NYC/NJ metro) and additional NJ-area IUEC locals serve New Jersey mechanics. NJ's dense commercial and residential high-rise market — particularly in Jersey City, Newark, and the Hudson River corridor — provides some of the most consistent elevator construction work in the Northeast.
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 New Jersey?
The median wage for elevator mechanics in New Jersey is $137,920 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $89,410, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $173,530. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become an Elevator Mechanic in New Jersey?
New Jersey Elevator Mechanic License, overseen by the NJ Department of Community Affairs (DCA) — Division of Codes and Standards. New Jersey requires an elevator mechanic license through the NJ DCA Division of Codes and Standards. Complete the IUEC/NEIEP apprenticeship (4–5 years, 8,000 OJT hours) as the primary qualifying path.
Is being an Elevator Mechanic a good career in New Jersey?
Elevator installation and repair requires licensed, site-specific mechanical and electrical work inside buildings that will always need working vertical transport.
Which New Jersey metros pay elevator mechanics the most?
Among New Jersey metro areas, New York–Newark leads at $136,000, followed by Philadelphia ($132,640). 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 New Jersey?
New Jersey projects elevator mechanics employment to change +8.8% 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), New Jersey statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-4021. Licensing summary compiled from the NJ Department of Community Affairs (DCA) — Division of Codes and Standards (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 New Jersey wages · New Jersey 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.