Across U.S. metros, elevator installers typically earn $59,920 more a year than maintenance technicians (124%). In the 53 metros where BLS publishes both, elevator installers earn more in 53 and maintenance technicians in 0.
| Elevator Installer | Maintenance Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical metro median pay | $108,250 | $48,330 |
| Lowest metro median | $38,330 | $22,040 |
| Highest metro median | $173,920 | $63,980 |
| Job growth 2025–35 (U.S.) | +5.7% | +4.2% |
| Openings per year (U.S.) | 1,900 | 148,700 |
| Self-employed | — | 1% |
| Typical education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Typical training | Apprenticeship | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Injury rate per 10k workers (U.S.) | 101 | 212 |
| Metros with pay data | 53 | 393 |
On safety, maintenance technicians report more injuries that cause missed work (212 vs. 101 per 10,000 full-time workers, national 2023–24).
Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025 (typical = median across metros). Growth, openings, education, training: BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Injuries: BLS SOII 2023–24.
Where elevator installers out-earn maintenance technicians the most Our calculation
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
State by state Government data
Using statewide pay, elevator installers earn more in 36 states and maintenance technicians in 1. The gap favors elevator installers most in Maine ($94,260) and maintenance technicians most in Kentucky ($4,140).
BLS OEWS statewide medians, May 2025.
How the work differs Government data
The biggest differences: Working at heights: very often for elevator installers, sometimes for maintenance technicians. Cramped spaces and awkward positions: very often for elevator installers, sometimes for maintenance technicians.
| Elevator Installer | Maintenance Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoors, in all kinds of weather | Sometimes | Often |
| Indoors with heating and air conditioning | Very often | Often |
| Very hot or cold conditions | Often | Often |
| Working at heights | Very often | Sometimes |
| Climbing ladders, scaffolds or poles | Occasionally | Occasionally |
| Cramped spaces and awkward positions | Very often | Sometimes |
| Loud noise | Very often | Often |
| Hazardous conditions | Very often | Sometimes |
| Standing, bending, kneeling and walking | Often | Often |
| Sitting | Occasionally | Occasionally |
O*NET 31.0 Work Context, national.
What each trade does
Elevator Installer
Assemble, install, repair, or maintain electric or hydraulic freight or passenger elevators, escalators, or dumbwaiters.
Maintenance Technician
Perform work involving the skills of two or more maintenance or craft occupations to keep machines, mechanical equipment, or the structure of a building in repair. Duties may involve pipe fitting; HVAC maintenance; insulating; welding; machining; carpentry; repairing electrical or mechanical equipment; installing, aligning, and balancing new equipment; and repairing buildings, floors, or stairs.
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