Elevator Mechanic vs Ironworker
Which trade pays more? Side-by-side salary comparison using 2025 BLS data.
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
Ironworker
Structural · 4yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$61,718
Salary Range$51,635 – $76,788
5yr Growth+9%
Trade Pay ScoreC (61/100)
Total Employment146,883
Cities Tracked30
City-by-City Comparison
| City | Elevator Mechanic | Ironworker | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $139,652 | $76,392 | +$63,260 |
| Boston, MA | $126,690 | $70,882 | +$55,808 |
| Seattle, WA | $124,851 | $73,744 | +$51,107 |
| New York, NY | $120,570 | $76,788 | +$43,782 |
| Portland, OR | $120,509 | $67,774 | +$52,735 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $113,878 | $66,286 | +$47,592 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $112,984 | $73,852 | +$39,132 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $110,300 | $67,403 | +$42,897 |
| Detroit, MI | $108,274 | $64,916 | +$43,358 |
| Dallas, TX | $106,807 | $59,362 | +$47,445 |
| Houston, TX | $106,227 | $63,096 | +$43,131 |
| Chicago, IL | $105,504 | $61,751 | +$43,753 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $104,268 | $66,649 | +$37,619 |
| Denver, CO | $103,186 | $60,154 | +$43,032 |
| Kansas City, MO | $103,000 | $55,496 | +$47,504 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $100,080 | $55,837 | +$44,243 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $98,981 | $57,473 | +$41,508 |
| Nashville, TN | $97,615 | $53,348 | +$44,267 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $97,600 | $60,483 | +$37,117 |
| Miami, FL | $96,752 | $53,124 | +$43,628 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $95,647 | $60,368 | +$35,279 |
| Columbus, OH | $95,477 | $59,476 | +$36,001 |
| St. Louis, MO | $94,596 | $61,615 | +$32,981 |
| Atlanta, GA | $94,513 | $57,995 | +$36,518 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $94,491 | $56,542 | +$37,949 |
| Charlotte, NC | $94,453 | $59,148 | +$35,305 |
| Raleigh, NC | $93,293 | $52,177 | +$41,116 |
| New Orleans, LA | $87,397 | $51,635 | +$35,762 |
| Tampa, FL | $87,021 | $53,383 | +$33,638 |
| San Antonio, TX | $85,102 | $54,389 | +$30,713 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Elevator Mechanics or Ironworkers make more money?
Elevator Mechanics earn more on average, with a national median salary of $103,991 compared to $61,718 — a difference of $42,273 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — Elevator Mechanic or Ironworker?
Elevator Mechanic has stronger 5-year wage growth at 18% vs 9%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
Elevator Mechanic requires 4 years of apprenticeship, while Ironworker requires 4 years.
Elevator Mechanic salary by city →
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