Elevator Mechanic in North Carolina: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
North Carolina employs 240 elevator mechanics, with a statewide median of $107,700 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact North Carolina licensing picture, and where to train.
What Elevator mechanics Earn in North Carolina (May 2025)
- North Carolina median pay
- $107,700 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $46,710
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $122,770
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $123,770
- Employed in North Carolina
- 240
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $99,000 (May 2024)
What That Pay Is Worth in North Carolina
Prices in North Carolina run about 6% below the national average (cost-of-living index 94.3 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $107,700 median stretches to roughly $114,210 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in North Carolina (2024–2034)
North Carolina is projected to grow elevator mechanics employment +6.2%, faster than the +5.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 30 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
North Carolina License and Certification Requirements
North Carolina Elevator Mechanic License — regulated by the NC Department of Labor — Elevator Safety Bureau.
- North Carolina requires an elevator mechanic license through the NC Department of Labor Elevator Safety Bureau. Complete the IUEC/NEIEP apprenticeship (4–5 years, 8,000 OJT hours) as the primary qualifying path.
- Apply to the NC DOL Elevator Safety Bureau and pass the state elevator mechanic exam. License renews annually.
- Charlotte's booming commercial real estate sector and Raleigh-Durham's tech and biotech construction drive strong elevator mechanic demand across the state.
Official requirements: NC Department of Labor — Elevator Safety Bureau →
Training in North Carolina
IUEC Local 53 (Charlotte) and Local 26 (Raleigh-Durham) serve North Carolina. The Research Triangle Park expansion and Charlotte's Uptown high-rise development have created sustained elevator construction work. North Carolina also has significant healthcare construction (Atrium Health, Duke Health, UNC Health) driving elevator installation.
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 North Carolina?
The median wage for elevator mechanics in North Carolina is $107,700 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $46,710, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $123,770. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become an Elevator Mechanic in North Carolina?
North Carolina Elevator Mechanic License, overseen by the NC Department of Labor — Elevator Safety Bureau. North Carolina requires an elevator mechanic license through the NC Department of Labor Elevator Safety Bureau. 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 North Carolina?
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 North Carolina?
North Carolina projects elevator mechanics employment to change +6.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 30 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), North Carolina statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-4021. Licensing summary compiled from the NC Department of Labor — Elevator Safety Bureau (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 North Carolina wages · North Carolina 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.