How to Become an Elevator Mechanic in New Jersey (2026)

New Jersey employs about 800 elevator mechanics earning a median $137,920 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most elevator mechanics train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in New Jersey.

New Jersey employs approximately 800 elevator mechanics according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $137,920 1. The state’s concentration of elevator mechanic jobs is 1.23x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, elevator mechanic employment is projected to grow 5.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 2,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become an Elevator Mechanic in New Jersey, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
  • Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
  • Median wage (New Jersey): $137,920 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become an Elevator Mechanic in New Jersey

How to become an Elevator Mechanic in New Jersey? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for elevator mechanics in New Jersey.

How long does it take? Most paths into the elevator mechanic field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What do elevator mechanics earn in New Jersey? The median annual wage for elevator mechanics in New Jersey is $137,920 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $89,410 and experienced professionals can earn $173,530 or more 1.

How to Become an Elevator Mechanic in New Jersey

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most New Jersey training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in New Jersey that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor as part of a registered apprenticeship or employer program in New Jersey.
  4. Earn your journey card or employer qualification. Complete the registered apprenticeship or approved program, earn the journey card or employer qualification used in New Jersey, and confirm contractor versus worker rules with the state before working unsupervised.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Elevator Mechanic Apprenticeship Information in New Jersey

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. New Jersey’s apprenticeship program is administered by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship 3.

Contact Information:

  • Office: Cape May County Technical Schools
  • Address: 188 Crest Haven Road, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
  • Phone: (609) 380-0200
  • Email: [email protected]

Elevator Mechanic Wages by Metro Area in New Jersey

Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers Wages by Metro Area in New Jersey

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), elevator and escalator installers and repairers wages in New Jersey vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
New York-Newark-Jersey City3,270$136,000$134,710$82,950$171,860
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington540$132,640$126,140$80,040$159,860

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for elevator mechanics in New Jersey? New Jersey currently employs approximately 800 elevator mechanics 1. Nationally, elevator mechanic employment is projected to grow 5.0% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in New Jersey? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in New Jersey. You can also contact the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do elevator mechanics earn in New Jersey compared to the national average? The median annual wage for elevator mechanics in New Jersey is $137,920, which is $31,340 above the national median of $106,580 according to BLS data 1.

In New Jersey

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References


  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)