The Reality.
Best-paying construction trade in America, period. IUEC apprenticeship is brutally hard to get into — small intake classes, big waitlists, often family-and-friends. Once you're in, the pay and benefits are unmatched in the trades. Four-year program. If you have any in to a Local, take it.
The Money.
| Stage | Hourly | Approx. annual (40 hr × 50 wk) |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 apprentice | $25–$35/hr | $50,000 – $70,000 |
| Journeyman (top of scale) | $55–$78/hr | $110,000 – $156,000 |
| BLS national median (all stages) | — | $102,420 |
| BLS top 10% (90th percentile) | — | $142,060 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS (May 2024 release). Apprentice/journeyman hourly ranges synthesized from union scale data and reported non-union rates. Major-metro union scale runs higher; smaller markets run lower.
The Path.
- · OSHA 10
- · Mechanic license (state)
- · CET (Certified Elevator Technician)
What the recruiter won't tell you.
- 01Hardest construction trade to get into. Apply, network, don't give up after one no.
- 02Family-and-friends hiring is a real pattern in some locals. Persistence beats credentials here.
- 03Almost entirely union — non-union elevator work is essentially nonexistent.
- 04Mechanical-aptitude test is no joke. Study the IUEC EIAT prep material seriously.
The Tool Bill.
What you'll spend on tools in your first year. Don't let anyone tell you it's less.
More in mechanical trades.
All trades →Installs and repairs water, drain, gas, and steam systems. The 'recession-proof' trade.
Installs, maintains, repairs heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration. Year-round demand, climate-change tailwind.
Fabricates and installs ductwork, roofing, gutters, and architectural metal. The unseen trade that makes HVAC actually work.