Across U.S. metros, elevator installers typically earn $47,795 more a year than riggers (79%). In the 34 metros where BLS publishes both, elevator installers earn more in 33 and riggers in 1.
| Elevator Installer | Rigger | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical metro median pay | $108,250 | $60,455 |
| Lowest metro median | $38,330 | $36,880 |
| Highest metro median | $173,920 | $169,480 |
| Job growth 2025–35 (U.S.) | +5.7% | +3.9% |
| Openings per year (U.S.) | 1,900 | 1,700 |
| Self-employed | — | — |
| 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 | 79 |
| Metros with pay data | 53 | 70 |
On safety, elevator installers report more injuries that cause missed work (101 vs. 79 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 riggers the most Our calculation
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
Where riggers out-earn elevator installers the most
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
State by state Government data
Using statewide pay, elevator installers earn more in 32 states and riggers in 2. The gap favors elevator installers most in Massachusetts ($84,920) and riggers most in Utah ($12,580).
BLS OEWS statewide medians, May 2025.
How the work differs Government data
The biggest differences: Indoors with heating and air conditioning: very often for elevator installers, occasionally for riggers. Hazardous conditions: very often for elevator installers, sometimes for riggers.
| Elevator Installer | Rigger | |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoors, in all kinds of weather | Sometimes | Very often |
| Indoors with heating and air conditioning | Very often | Occasionally |
| Very hot or cold conditions | Often | Very often |
| Working at heights | Very often | Sometimes |
| Climbing ladders, scaffolds or poles | Occasionally | Sometimes |
| Cramped spaces and awkward positions | Very often | Often |
| Loud noise | Very often | Very often |
| Hazardous conditions | Very often | Sometimes |
| Standing, bending, kneeling and walking | Often | Often |
| Sitting | Occasionally | Rarely |
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.
Rigger
Set up or repair rigging for construction projects, manufacturing plants, logging yards, ships and shipyards, or for the entertainment industry.
Compare one trade across two cities →
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