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

Skilled trades

Tennessee employs 700 elevator mechanics, with a statewide median of $100,490 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Tennessee licensing picture, and where to train.

What Elevator mechanics Earn in Tennessee (May 2025)

Tennessee median pay: $100,490 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $59,520
Experienced (75th percentile): $106,940
Top earners (90th percentile): $121,130
Employed in Tennessee: 700
U.S. median (for comparison): $99,000 (May 2024)

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

Nashville: $105,290 (300 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Tennessee

Prices in Tennessee run about 8% below the national average (cost-of-living index 91.9 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $100,490 median stretches to roughly $109,347 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Tennessee (2024–2034)

Tennessee is projected to grow elevator mechanics employment +16.8%, faster than the +5.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 80 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Tennessee License and Certification Requirements

No individual state mechanic license — work under BC-17 licensed elevator contractor; IUEC journeyman card is the credential — regulated by the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development — Elevator & Amusement Device Safety Board / BC-17 contractor.

Tennessee licenses elevator contractors (BC-17 classification) but does not issue individual elevator mechanic state licenses to workers. Individual mechanics must be employed by a BC-17 licensed elevator contractor.
Enter the IUEC (International Union of Elevator Constructors)/NEIEP apprenticeship — 4–5 years, approximately 8,000 OJT hours covering installation, maintenance, and repair of all elevator types. The IUEC journeyman card is the primary industry credential.
Contact IUEC Local 8 (Nashville) or neiep.org for apprenticeship application information. Nashville's rapid commercial construction — including high-rise residential towers and corporate campus development — creates consistent demand.

Official requirements: Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development — Elevator & Amusement Device Safety Board / BC-17 contractor →

Training in Tennessee

Nashville's construction boom is generating strong elevator mechanic demand. All conveyances (elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters, moving walks, ski lifts) are inspected by the Tennessee TDLWD Elevator Unit, which conducts initial and biannual inspections. Among the highest-paying trade careers accessible in Tennessee.

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 Tennessee?

The median wage for elevator mechanics in Tennessee is $100,490 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $59,520, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $121,130. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

No individual state mechanic license — work under BC-17 licensed elevator contractor; IUEC journeyman card is the credential, overseen by the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development — Elevator & Amusement Device Safety Board / BC-17 contractor. Tennessee licenses elevator contractors (BC-17 classification) but does not issue individual elevator mechanic state licenses to workers. Individual mechanics must be employed by a BC-17 licensed elevator contractor.

Is being an Elevator Mechanic a good career in Tennessee?

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

Which Tennessee metros pay elevator mechanics the most?

Among Tennessee metro areas, Nashville leads at $105,290. 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 Tennessee?

Tennessee projects elevator mechanics employment to change +16.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 80 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), Tennessee statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-4021. Licensing summary compiled from the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development — Elevator & Amusement Device Safety Board / BC-17 contractor (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 Tennessee wages · Tennessee 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.