Trades & Construction

How to become an Elevator Technician

From no experience: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.

Time to get there

4 years

Typical pay

$68k–$105k

Starting from

No experience

The steps

1. 1

   Apply to an NEIEP apprenticeship

   Highly competitive, very well paid, and the only real way in.

   apply 6–12 months

2. 2

   Work the four-year program

   Paid on-the-job hours plus classroom: hydraulics, controls and code.

   4 years

   Course that covers thisIndustrial Maintenance & Reliability: PM, PdM, TPM and RCMUdemy · around $69.99 →
3. 3

   Pass the mechanic exam

   Licensing is state by state; some require CET certification.

   State elevator mechanic licence

Course links are Udemy affiliate links — we earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. Licences and exams named above are issued by state boards and certifying bodies we have no relationship with; we list them because they are what the job actually requires.