Plumber vs Elevator Mechanic
Which trade pays more? Side-by-side salary comparison using 2025 BLS data.
Plumber
Plumbing · 4yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$64,109
Salary Range$54,720 – $86,700
5yr Growth+14%
Trade Pay ScoreB (71/100)
Total Employment183,601
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 | Plumber | Elevator Mechanic | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $86,700 | $139,652 | -$52,952 |
| Seattle, WA | $79,599 | $124,851 | -$45,252 |
| New York, NY | $76,532 | $120,570 | -$44,038 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $74,555 | $110,300 | -$35,745 |
| Boston, MA | $74,304 | $126,690 | -$52,386 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $73,748 | $112,984 | -$39,236 |
| Portland, OR | $73,251 | $120,509 | -$47,258 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $66,391 | $104,268 | -$37,877 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $66,029 | $94,491 | -$28,462 |
| Chicago, IL | $65,606 | $105,504 | -$39,898 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $63,229 | $113,878 | -$50,649 |
| Kansas City, MO | $62,955 | $103,000 | -$40,045 |
| Atlanta, GA | $62,710 | $94,513 | -$31,803 |
| Denver, CO | $62,081 | $103,186 | -$41,105 |
| Miami, FL | $62,048 | $96,752 | -$34,704 |
| St. Louis, MO | $61,956 | $94,596 | -$32,640 |
| Detroit, MI | $61,084 | $108,274 | -$47,190 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $60,533 | $100,080 | -$39,547 |
| Houston, TX | $60,498 | $106,227 | -$45,729 |
| Tampa, FL | $60,056 | $87,021 | -$26,965 |
| Columbus, OH | $59,380 | $95,477 | -$36,097 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $59,307 | $95,647 | -$36,340 |
| Dallas, TX | $59,192 | $106,807 | -$47,615 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $59,172 | $97,600 | -$38,428 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $56,077 | $98,981 | -$42,904 |
| Raleigh, NC | $56,029 | $93,293 | -$37,264 |
| Nashville, TN | $55,467 | $97,615 | -$42,148 |
| San Antonio, TX | $55,107 | $85,102 | -$29,995 |
| New Orleans, LA | $54,966 | $87,397 | -$32,431 |
| Charlotte, NC | $54,720 | $94,453 | -$39,733 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Plumbers or Elevator Mechanics make more money?
Elevator Mechanics earn more on average, with a national median salary of $103,991 compared to $64,109 — a difference of $39,882 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — Plumber or Elevator Mechanic?
Elevator Mechanic has stronger 5-year wage growth at 18% vs 14%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
Plumber requires 4 years of apprenticeship, while Elevator Mechanic requires 4 years.
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Elevator Mechanic salary by city →
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