Elevator Mechanic in Texas: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Texas employs 2,030 elevator mechanics, with a statewide median of $102,140 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Texas licensing picture, and where to train.
What Elevator mechanics Earn in Texas (May 2025)
- Texas median pay
- $102,140 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $55,820
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $109,650
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $121,800
- Employed in Texas
- 2,030
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $99,000 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for elevator mechanics in major Texas markets:
- Dallas–Fort Worth
- $108,150 (500 employed)
- San Antonio
- $103,700 (220 employed)
- El Paso
- $89,140 (30 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Texas
Prices in Texas run about 3% below the national average (cost-of-living index 97.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $102,140 median stretches to roughly $105,191 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Texas (2024–2034)
Texas is projected to grow elevator mechanics employment +10.2%, faster than the +5.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 120 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Texas License and Certification Requirements
Elevator Mechanic Registration — regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
- Texas requires TDLR registration — not a full license exam — but you must prove completion of an IUEC/NEIEP apprenticeship (4–5 years, 8,000 OJT hours) or document 5 years of verifiable elevator experience before registering.
- Apply online through TDLR; no additional state exam is required for apprenticeship graduates. Registration fee is modest and renews annually.
- IUEC apprenticeship graduates earn competitive wages from day one — Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio all have active locals. Contact the IUEC (iuec.org) to find the nearest local and apprenticeship application window.
Official requirements: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) →
Training in Texas
IUEC Local 31 (Houston) and Local 21 (Dallas-Fort Worth) are the primary Texas locals. Apprentices are paid employees from the start, earning roughly 50% of journeyman scale and stepping up each year. Texas has no cap on elevator construction growth — high-rise activity in Houston and Austin keeps demand strong.
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 Texas?
The median wage for elevator mechanics in Texas is $102,140 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $55,820, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $121,800. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become an Elevator Mechanic in Texas?
Elevator Mechanic Registration, overseen by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Texas requires TDLR registration — not a full license exam — but you must prove completion of an IUEC/NEIEP apprenticeship (4–5 years, 8,000 OJT hours) or document 5 years of verifiable elevator experience before registering.
Is being an Elevator Mechanic a good career in Texas?
Elevator installation and repair requires licensed, site-specific mechanical and electrical work inside buildings that will always need working vertical transport.
Which Texas metros pay elevator mechanics the most?
Among Texas metro areas, Dallas–Fort Worth leads at $108,150, followed by San Antonio ($103,700), El Paso ($89,140). 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 Texas?
Texas projects elevator mechanics employment to change +10.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 120 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), Texas statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-4021. Licensing summary compiled from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) (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 Texas wages · Texas 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.