Power Line Installer vs Elevator Mechanic
Which trade pays more? Side-by-side salary comparison using 2025 BLS data.
Power Line Installer
Electrical · 4yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$87,732
Salary Range$74,545 – $112,855
5yr Growth+16%
Trade Pay ScoreA (86/100)
Total Employment217,003
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 | Power Line Installer | Elevator Mechanic | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $112,855 | $120,570 | -$7,715 |
| San Francisco, CA | $104,999 | $139,652 | -$34,653 |
| Portland, OR | $99,431 | $120,509 | -$21,078 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $99,425 | $112,984 | -$13,559 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $98,777 | $110,300 | -$11,523 |
| Boston, MA | $98,333 | $126,690 | -$28,357 |
| Seattle, WA | $97,004 | $124,851 | -$27,847 |
| Chicago, IL | $94,049 | $105,504 | -$11,455 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $91,683 | $95,647 | -$3,964 |
| Houston, TX | $88,707 | $106,227 | -$17,520 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $88,613 | $104,268 | -$15,655 |
| Dallas, TX | $87,080 | $106,807 | -$19,727 |
| Denver, CO | $86,992 | $103,186 | -$16,194 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $86,876 | $113,878 | -$27,002 |
| Detroit, MI | $85,790 | $108,274 | -$22,484 |
| Columbus, OH | $85,011 | $95,477 | -$10,466 |
| Miami, FL | $84,373 | $96,752 | -$12,379 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $84,221 | $98,981 | -$14,760 |
| St. Louis, MO | $83,941 | $94,596 | -$10,655 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $83,676 | $97,600 | -$13,924 |
| Raleigh, NC | $82,108 | $93,293 | -$11,185 |
| New Orleans, LA | $82,075 | $87,397 | -$5,322 |
| Tampa, FL | $81,266 | $87,021 | -$5,755 |
| Atlanta, GA | $80,461 | $94,513 | -$14,052 |
| Kansas City, MO | $79,542 | $103,000 | -$23,458 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $79,227 | $94,491 | -$15,264 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $78,807 | $100,080 | -$21,273 |
| San Antonio, TX | $76,343 | $85,102 | -$8,759 |
| Nashville, TN | $75,751 | $97,615 | -$21,864 |
| Charlotte, NC | $74,545 | $94,453 | -$19,908 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Power Line Installers or Elevator Mechanics make more money?
Elevator Mechanics earn more on average, with a national median salary of $103,991 compared to $87,732 — a difference of $16,259 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — Power Line Installer or Elevator Mechanic?
Elevator Mechanic has stronger 5-year wage growth at 18% vs 16%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
Power Line Installer requires 4 years of apprenticeship, while Elevator Mechanic requires 4 years.
Power Line Installer salary by city →
Elevator Mechanic salary by city →
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