Carpenter vs Elevator Mechanic
Which trade pays more? Side-by-side salary comparison using 2025 BLS data.
Carpenter
Construction · 4yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$60,859
Salary Range$51,034 – $79,122
5yr Growth+6%
Trade Pay ScoreC (56/100)
Total Employment123,581
Cities Tracked30
Higher Pay
Elevator Mechanic
Specialty · 4yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$103,991
Salary Range$85,102 – $139,652
5yr Growth+18%
Trade Pay ScoreA (88/100)
Total Employment192,597
Cities Tracked30
City-by-City Comparison
| City | Carpenter | Elevator Mechanic | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $79,122 | $120,570 | -$41,448 |
| San Francisco, CA | $74,865 | $139,652 | -$64,787 |
| Boston, MA | $73,183 | $126,690 | -$53,507 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $70,726 | $110,300 | -$39,574 |
| Chicago, IL | $69,705 | $105,504 | -$35,799 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $66,853 | $112,984 | -$46,131 |
| Denver, CO | $66,038 | $103,186 | -$37,148 |
| Houston, TX | $64,905 | $106,227 | -$41,322 |
| Seattle, WA | $64,817 | $124,851 | -$60,034 |
| Portland, OR | $64,657 | $120,509 | -$55,852 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $63,338 | $104,268 | -$40,930 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $61,401 | $97,600 | -$36,199 |
| Detroit, MI | $61,203 | $108,274 | -$47,071 |
| Atlanta, GA | $61,107 | $94,513 | -$33,406 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $61,073 | $95,647 | -$34,574 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $59,807 | $94,491 | -$34,684 |
| Dallas, TX | $59,116 | $106,807 | -$47,691 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $57,833 | $113,878 | -$56,045 |
| Charlotte, NC | $56,728 | $94,453 | -$37,725 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $55,765 | $100,080 | -$44,315 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $55,206 | $98,981 | -$43,775 |
| San Antonio, TX | $54,694 | $85,102 | -$30,408 |
| New Orleans, LA | $54,530 | $87,397 | -$32,867 |
| Nashville, TN | $53,910 | $97,615 | -$43,705 |
| St. Louis, MO | $53,841 | $94,596 | -$40,755 |
| Miami, FL | $53,612 | $96,752 | -$43,140 |
| Kansas City, MO | $52,391 | $103,000 | -$50,609 |
| Tampa, FL | $52,184 | $87,021 | -$34,837 |
| Columbus, OH | $52,139 | $95,477 | -$43,338 |
| Raleigh, NC | $51,034 | $93,293 | -$42,259 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Carpenters or Elevator Mechanics make more money?
Elevator Mechanics earn more on average, with a national median salary of $103,991 compared to $60,859 — a difference of $43,132 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — Carpenter or Elevator Mechanic?
Elevator Mechanic has stronger 5-year wage growth at 18% vs 6%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
Carpenter requires 4 years of apprenticeship, while Elevator Mechanic requires 4 years.
Carpenter salary by city →
Elevator Mechanic salary by city →
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