Charted.

Trades

How to become an Elevator Installer & Repairer

Becoming an Elevator Installer & Repairer isn't one leap — it's a ladder. You can start as an Elevator Apprentice (NEIEP) and climb from there, with each rung showing the real time it takes and what it pays. Here's the honest path, and what a trades route actually costs along the way.

The path, rung by rung

Each step is a real role you can hold. The time is how long to reach it; the pay is a national figure for that rung.

  1. Elevator Apprentice (NEIEP)
    High school diploma, pass NEIEP aptitude test
    $59,000
    Competitive entry — apply now
  2. Elevator Mechanic
    Complete NEIEP apprenticeship
    $110,000
    4-5 years
  3. Adjuster / Troubleshooter
    Advanced certification, experience
    $130,000
    7-10 years
  4. Superintendent
    Leadership experience
    $155,000
    10+ years

Start this week

You don't need to commit to the whole climb today. Here's one small, real thing you can do this week.

Watch one 'day in the life' video on YouTube for any hands-on trade that catches your eye — welder, electrician, mechanic, whatever. Just one. No notes.

You're not deciding anything. You're checking whether watching it pulls you in or bores you. Both answers are useful.

YouTube →

The paid apprenticeship path

For this trade, the standard way in is a registered apprenticeship — you're paid from day one while you learn.

Typical length: 4-5 years (~8,000 hours on-the-job + classroom)

Getting in usually asks for:

  • High school diploma or GED
  • 18+ years old
  • Pass the NEIEP aptitude test and interview (competitive)

Where the programs are:

  • NEIEP (National Elevator Industry Educational Program) — the IUEC union route; nearly all entry runs through it

Apprentices start around half the mechanic rate — among the best-paid apprenticeships in any trade. Programs are competitive — applying is itself a first rung.

Search apprenticeships near you →

The honest reality

What this path actually asks of you — in time, money, and effort.

  • The first rung, Elevator Apprentice (NEIEP), typically asks for high school diploma, pass NEIEP aptitude test and pays around $59,000.
  • Reaching Superintendent usually takes 10+ years and pays around $155,000 — and getting there means leadership experience.
  • You don't need a college degree to take the first step.
  • Expect physical, on-your-feet work, especially in the early roles.
  • These are national figures. What you'll actually earn and what training costs shift with your city and the current market.

Common questions

How long does it take to become an Elevator Installer & Repairer?

Charted lays it out as a 4-step path. You can start as an Elevator Apprentice (NEIEP) right away; reaching Superintendent typically takes 10+ years. You don't have to climb every rung — many people stop at a step that already fits their life.

What does it cost to get started as an Elevator Installer & Repairer?

Getting started costs less than the destination. The entry role, Elevator Apprentice (NEIEP), asks for high school diploma, pass NEIEP aptitude test — not an expensive degree. The bigger costs come with the later rungs.

Can you become an Elevator Installer & Repairer without a degree?

You can start without one. The first rung, Elevator Apprentice (NEIEP), needs high school diploma, pass NEIEP aptitude test — no college degree to begin. Degrees and licenses come later, as you climb toward Superintendent.

Is there a paid apprenticeship to become an Elevator Installer & Repairer?

Yes — the standard way in is a paid registered apprenticeship: you earn a wage from day one while you train. Typical length: 4-5 years (~8,000 hours on-the-job + classroom). Apprentices start around half the mechanic rate — among the best-paid apprenticeships in any trade. Programs are competitive, and you can search openings near you at apprenticeship.gov.

Not sure this is your path?

Take the assessment. Fifteen minutes, and it points you to the fit.

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