Welder vs Elevator Mechanic
Which trade pays more? Side-by-side salary comparison using 2025 BLS data.
Welder
Welding · 3yr apprenticeship
Median Salary$50,902
Salary Range$41,148 – $66,632
5yr Growth+8%
Trade Pay ScoreD (54/100)
Total Employment144,671
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 | Welder | Elevator Mechanic | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $66,632 | $120,570 | -$53,938 |
| San Francisco, CA | $62,299 | $139,652 | -$77,353 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $60,560 | $112,984 | -$52,424 |
| Seattle, WA | $58,722 | $124,851 | -$66,129 |
| Boston, MA | $56,411 | $126,690 | -$70,279 |
| Chicago, IL | $55,958 | $105,504 | -$49,546 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $54,215 | $104,268 | -$50,053 |
| Denver, CO | $52,173 | $103,186 | -$51,013 |
| Houston, TX | $51,959 | $106,227 | -$54,268 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $51,794 | $110,300 | -$58,506 |
| Portland, OR | $51,629 | $120,509 | -$68,880 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $51,400 | $97,600 | -$46,200 |
| St. Louis, MO | $51,031 | $94,596 | -$43,565 |
| Dallas, TX | $50,502 | $106,807 | -$56,305 |
| Raleigh, NC | $49,553 | $93,293 | -$43,740 |
| Detroit, MI | $49,210 | $108,274 | -$59,064 |
| Charlotte, NC | $49,035 | $94,453 | -$45,418 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $48,956 | $98,981 | -$50,025 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $48,469 | $95,647 | -$47,178 |
| Miami, FL | $48,356 | $96,752 | -$48,396 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $48,323 | $94,491 | -$46,168 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $48,316 | $113,878 | -$65,562 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $48,113 | $100,080 | -$51,967 |
| New Orleans, LA | $47,590 | $87,397 | -$39,807 |
| Columbus, OH | $46,818 | $95,477 | -$48,659 |
| Atlanta, GA | $46,015 | $94,513 | -$48,498 |
| Nashville, TN | $45,564 | $97,615 | -$52,051 |
| Kansas City, MO | $44,845 | $103,000 | -$58,155 |
| Tampa, FL | $41,466 | $87,021 | -$45,555 |
| San Antonio, TX | $41,148 | $85,102 | -$43,954 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Welders or Elevator Mechanics make more money?
Elevator Mechanics earn more on average, with a national median salary of $103,991 compared to $50,902 — a difference of $53,089 per year.
Which trade has better job growth — Welder or Elevator Mechanic?
Elevator Mechanic has stronger 5-year wage growth at 18% vs 8%.
How long is the apprenticeship for each trade?
Welder requires 3 years of apprenticeship, while Elevator Mechanic requires 4 years.
Welder salary by city →
Elevator Mechanic salary by city →
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