Elevator Mechanic vs Sheet Metal Worker
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
Sheet Metal Worker
Metalwork · 4yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$58,967
Salary Range$49,190 – $75,071
5yr Growth+7%
Trade Pay ScoreC (56/100)
Total Employment122,066
Cities Tracked30
City-by-City Comparison
| City | Elevator Mechanic | Sheet Metal Worker | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $139,652 | $75,071 | +$64,581 |
| Boston, MA | $126,690 | $66,514 | +$60,176 |
| Seattle, WA | $124,851 | $74,409 | +$50,442 |
| New York, NY | $120,570 | $70,408 | +$50,162 |
| Portland, OR | $120,509 | $60,018 | +$60,491 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $113,878 | $60,802 | +$53,076 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $112,984 | $73,244 | +$39,740 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $110,300 | $67,613 | +$42,687 |
| Detroit, MI | $108,274 | $55,260 | +$53,014 |
| Dallas, TX | $106,807 | $57,501 | +$49,306 |
| Houston, TX | $106,227 | $64,172 | +$42,055 |
| Chicago, IL | $105,504 | $59,766 | +$45,738 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $104,268 | $62,763 | +$41,505 |
| Denver, CO | $103,186 | $58,190 | +$44,996 |
| Kansas City, MO | $103,000 | $57,429 | +$45,571 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $100,080 | $49,878 | +$50,202 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $98,981 | $53,940 | +$45,041 |
| Nashville, TN | $97,615 | $51,094 | +$46,521 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $97,600 | $59,888 | +$37,712 |
| Miami, FL | $96,752 | $51,200 | +$45,552 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $95,647 | $55,229 | +$40,418 |
| Columbus, OH | $95,477 | $50,957 | +$44,520 |
| St. Louis, MO | $94,596 | $55,958 | +$38,638 |
| Atlanta, GA | $94,513 | $57,049 | +$37,464 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $94,491 | $58,156 | +$36,335 |
| Charlotte, NC | $94,453 | $49,190 | +$45,263 |
| Raleigh, NC | $93,293 | $53,885 | +$39,408 |
| New Orleans, LA | $87,397 | $52,916 | +$34,481 |
| Tampa, FL | $87,021 | $52,118 | +$34,903 |
| San Antonio, TX | $85,102 | $54,389 | +$30,713 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Elevator Mechanics or Sheet Metal Workers make more money?
Elevator Mechanics earn more on average, with a national median salary of $103,991 compared to $58,967 — a difference of $45,024 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — Elevator Mechanic or Sheet Metal Worker?
Elevator Mechanic has stronger 5-year wage growth at 18% vs 7%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
Elevator Mechanic requires 4 years of apprenticeship, while Sheet Metal Worker requires 4 years.
Elevator Mechanic salary by city →
Sheet Metal Worker salary by city →
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