Elevator Installer / Repair.
New York.
$105,000
median salary, 28% above the national average
$79,000 to $138,000. Updated for 2026.
The numbers.
Everything you need to negotiate with confidence.
New York is 28% more expensive than the national average. For Elevator Installer / Repairs, that shakes out to a median of $105,000, with the full range spanning $79,000 to $138,000. Elevator mechanics consistently rank among the highest-paid trades due to the extensive apprenticeship, licensing requirements, and safety-critical nature of the work. Know the range before you walk in.
Salary range
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How New York compares
New York, NY
$105,000
Cost of living: 28% above average
National Average
$82,000
New York is $23,000 above
What you should know
The Elevator Installer / Repair landscape in New York is not what most salary sites will tell you. New York City remains one of the world's largest and most diverse job markets, with unmatched density in finance, media, and technology. The city's tech sector has grown rapidly, rivaling the Bay Area for venture funding and startup activity. Remote work has reshaped demand slightly, but employers still pay premiums for in office presence in Manhattan. Elevator mechanics consistently rank among the highest-paid trades due to the extensive apprenticeship, licensing requirements, and safety-critical nature of the work. Technicians specializing in modernization of older hydraulic and traction systems earn top rates. Union IUEC membership provides some of the strongest wage and benefit packages in the entire construction industry.
Elevator apprentices start at $40,000 to $50,000 during their four year program. Journeyman mechanics earn $62,000 to $90,000, while adjusters and modernization specialists reach $85,000 to $115,000. Elevator consultants and construction supervisors command $110,000 to $150,000 at major elevator companies. In New York, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 28% above average, and employers adjust to compete.
Base salary is not the full picture. IUEC union benefits are among the best in any trade, adding $25,000 to $40,000 annually in health insurance, pension, and annuity contributions. Overtime is common during new construction pushes and can add $10,000 to $20,000 per year. And on the tax side: new York State income tax rates reach 10.9%, and New York City adds a local income tax up to 3.876%. Combined with federal taxes, your effective rate can be among the highest nationally. When someone quotes you $105,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Emphasize your willingness to work from the office in Manhattan. Many NYC employers pay 10 to 15% more for in person roles compared to remote positions. The range for Elevator Installer / Repairs in New York runs from $79,000 to $138,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Top industries in New York
Negotiating in New York
Emphasize your willingness to work from the office in Manhattan. Many NYC employers pay 10 to 15% more for in person roles compared to remote positions.