Back to the national Elevator Mechanic profile

Elevator Mechanic in Pennsylvania: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

Pennsylvania employs 900 elevator mechanics, with a statewide median of $117,250 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Pennsylvania licensing picture, and where to train.

What Elevator mechanics Earn in Pennsylvania (May 2025)

Pennsylvania median pay: $117,250 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $63,280
Experienced (75th percentile): $125,750
Top earners (90th percentile): $132,640
Employed in Pennsylvania: 900
U.S. median (for comparison): $99,000 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for elevator mechanics in major Pennsylvania markets:

Pittsburgh: $121,920 (140 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Pennsylvania

Prices in Pennsylvania run about 2% below the national average (cost-of-living index 97.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $117,250 median stretches to roughly $120,133 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Pennsylvania (2024–2034)

Pennsylvania is projected to grow elevator mechanics employment +3.7%, slower than the +5.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 50 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Pennsylvania License and Certification Requirements

Pennsylvania Elevator Mechanic License — regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry — Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety.

Complete the IUEC/NEIEP apprenticeship (4–5 years, 8,000 OJT hours) — the primary qualifying path for the Pennsylvania elevator mechanic license.
Apply to PA L&I Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety and pass the state elevator mechanic exam. License renewal is annual.
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and the greater Lehigh Valley are active elevator markets driven by commercial construction, healthcare expansion (UPMC, Jefferson, Penn Medicine), and airport/transit work.

Official requirements: Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry — Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety →

Training in Pennsylvania

IUEC Local 5 (Philadelphia area) and Local 6 (Pittsburgh) run NEIEP apprenticeships with paid wages from day one. Pennsylvania has both commercial and industrial elevator work; Pittsburgh's healthcare and higher-education building booms have driven consistent demand.

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 Pennsylvania?

The median wage for elevator mechanics in Pennsylvania is $117,250 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $63,280, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $132,640. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become an Elevator Mechanic in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania Elevator Mechanic License, overseen by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry — Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety. Complete the IUEC/NEIEP apprenticeship (4–5 years, 8,000 OJT hours) — the primary qualifying path for the Pennsylvania elevator mechanic license.

Is being an Elevator Mechanic a good career in Pennsylvania?

Elevator installation and repair requires licensed, site-specific mechanical and electrical work inside buildings that will always need working vertical transport.

Which Pennsylvania metros pay elevator mechanics the most?

Among Pennsylvania metro areas, Pittsburgh leads at $121,920. 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 Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania projects elevator mechanics employment to change +3.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 50 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), Pennsylvania statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-4021. Licensing summary compiled from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry — Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety (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 Pennsylvania wages · Pennsylvania 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.