Elevator Mechanic vs Machinist
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
Machinist
Metalwork · 4yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$52,141
Salary Range$43,717 – $66,698
5yr Growth+6%
Trade Pay ScoreD (51/100)
Total Employment123,979
Cities Tracked30
City-by-City Comparison
| City | Elevator Mechanic | Machinist | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $139,652 | $66,698 | +$72,954 |
| Boston, MA | $126,690 | $65,491 | +$61,199 |
| Seattle, WA | $124,851 | $65,465 | +$59,386 |
| New York, NY | $120,570 | $61,662 | +$58,908 |
| Portland, OR | $120,509 | $57,987 | +$62,522 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $113,878 | $50,078 | +$63,800 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $112,984 | $64,169 | +$48,815 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $110,300 | $59,339 | +$50,961 |
| Detroit, MI | $108,274 | $52,203 | +$56,071 |
| Dallas, TX | $106,807 | $49,483 | +$57,324 |
| Houston, TX | $106,227 | $53,304 | +$52,923 |
| Chicago, IL | $105,504 | $57,619 | +$47,885 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $104,268 | $52,117 | +$52,151 |
| Denver, CO | $103,186 | $51,848 | +$51,338 |
| Kansas City, MO | $103,000 | $47,317 | +$55,683 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $100,080 | $44,848 | +$55,232 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $98,981 | $45,510 | +$53,471 |
| Nashville, TN | $97,615 | $47,887 | +$49,728 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $97,600 | $45,745 | +$51,855 |
| Miami, FL | $96,752 | $47,774 | +$48,978 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $95,647 | $53,383 | +$42,264 |
| Columbus, OH | $95,477 | $43,891 | +$51,586 |
| St. Louis, MO | $94,596 | $48,863 | +$45,733 |
| Atlanta, GA | $94,513 | $50,744 | +$43,769 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $94,491 | $47,196 | +$47,295 |
| Charlotte, NC | $94,453 | $47,451 | +$47,002 |
| Raleigh, NC | $93,293 | $46,215 | +$47,078 |
| New Orleans, LA | $87,397 | $48,371 | +$39,026 |
| Tampa, FL | $87,021 | $43,717 | +$43,304 |
| San Antonio, TX | $85,102 | $47,841 | +$37,261 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Elevator Mechanics or Machinists make more money?
Elevator Mechanics earn more on average, with a national median salary of $103,991 compared to $52,141 — a difference of $51,850 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — Elevator Mechanic or Machinist?
Elevator Mechanic has stronger 5-year wage growth at 18% vs 6%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
Elevator Mechanic requires 4 years of apprenticeship, while Machinist requires 4 years.
Elevator Mechanic salary by city →
Machinist salary by city →
All trades ranked by pay →
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