Elevator Mechanic vs Solar PV Installer
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
Solar PV Installer
Electrical · 2yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$50,287
Salary Range$43,090 – $66,757
5yr Growth+22%
Trade Pay ScoreB (78/100)
Total Employment244,363
Cities Tracked30
City-by-City Comparison
| City | Elevator Mechanic | Solar PV Installer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $139,652 | $66,757 | +$72,895 |
| Boston, MA | $126,690 | $62,081 | +$64,609 |
| Seattle, WA | $124,851 | $59,766 | +$65,085 |
| New York, NY | $120,570 | $65,753 | +$54,817 |
| Portland, OR | $120,509 | $53,227 | +$67,282 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $113,878 | $50,972 | +$62,906 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $112,984 | $55,155 | +$57,829 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $110,300 | $55,717 | +$54,583 |
| Detroit, MI | $108,274 | $47,056 | +$61,218 |
| Dallas, TX | $106,807 | $50,876 | +$55,931 |
| Houston, TX | $106,227 | $47,597 | +$58,630 |
| Chicago, IL | $105,504 | $51,811 | +$53,693 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $104,268 | $53,197 | +$51,071 |
| Denver, CO | $103,186 | $49,273 | +$53,913 |
| Kansas City, MO | $103,000 | $44,729 | +$58,271 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $100,080 | $43,828 | +$56,252 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $98,981 | $47,345 | +$51,636 |
| Nashville, TN | $97,615 | $43,848 | +$53,767 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $97,600 | $46,431 | +$51,169 |
| Miami, FL | $96,752 | $43,090 | +$53,662 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $95,647 | $46,122 | +$49,525 |
| Columbus, OH | $95,477 | $43,179 | +$52,298 |
| St. Louis, MO | $94,596 | $49,002 | +$45,594 |
| Atlanta, GA | $94,513 | $48,077 | +$46,436 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $94,491 | $52,197 | +$42,294 |
| Charlotte, NC | $94,453 | $49,101 | +$45,352 |
| Raleigh, NC | $93,293 | $43,665 | +$49,628 |
| New Orleans, LA | $87,397 | $45,737 | +$41,660 |
| Tampa, FL | $87,021 | $45,887 | +$41,134 |
| San Antonio, TX | $85,102 | $47,144 | +$37,958 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Elevator Mechanics or Solar PV Installers make more money?
Elevator Mechanics earn more on average, with a national median salary of $103,991 compared to $50,287 — a difference of $53,704 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — Elevator Mechanic or Solar PV Installer?
Solar PV Installer has stronger 5-year wage growth at 22% vs 18%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
Elevator Mechanic requires 4 years of apprenticeship, while Solar PV Installer requires 2 years.
Elevator Mechanic salary by city →
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