Elevator Mechanic Pay · Virginia

Elevator Mechanic Salary in Virginia (2026)

Real pay by career stage, top employers, and apprenticeships — researched and maintained by a working tradesman. Updated 2026.

Elevator mechanics install, maintain, and repair the elevators and escalators that keep buildings running. It's one of the best-paid trades in the country and one of the hardest to get into — entry runs through a competitive, paid IUEC apprenticeship, not college. Here's the real pay, the employers, and how to get started in Virginia.

Virginia Elevator Mechanic Pay Range

$68-125k

⏱ OT adds $15-32k

Pay by Career Stage in Virginia

Here's how elevator mechanic pay progresses in Virginia — from paid apprentice to full mechanic. You earn while you learn the whole way through.

Probationary$31/hr

Apprentice Yr4$52/hr

Mechanic$63/hr

Before You Decide

Is Elevator Worth It vs College?

See how a Virginia elevator mechanic career stacks up against a four-year degree — lifetime earnings, debt, and net worth, side by side.

Run the Wealth Calculator → See the pay map →

Top Elevator Employers in Virginia

These are the elevator companies Virginia mechanics work for most, based on field reviews. Otis, Kone, Schindler, and ThyssenKrupp are the major national contractors in this trade.

Otis Elevator VA★ 4.0 (10 reviews)

Kone Inc VA★ 3.9 (7 reviews)

Apprenticeships & Training in Virginia

You get into this trade by getting hired into a union apprenticeship, not by paying tuition. NEIEP (the National Elevator Industry Educational Program) runs the training; the IUEC local is your way in.

NEIEP / IUEC Local 10Apprenticeship (Baltimore MD)

How to Become an Elevator Mechanic in Virginia

The path: apply through an IUEC local when applications open, take the NEIEP aptitude test, and get hired as a probationary apprentice. Mechanical aptitude and a clean record matter — this trade is competitive to break into. From there it's a paid, roughly 4-year apprenticeship to full mechanic pay in Virginia.

For the full step-by-step — the work itself, the application process, and what it's really like — read our full guide to becoming an elevator mechanic.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do elevator mechanics make in Virginia?

In Virginia, elevator mechanic pay ranges roughly $68-125k depending on career stage. Apprentices start lower and pay climbs steadily through a paid 4-year apprenticeship to full mechanic. OT oT adds $15-32k.

How long does it take to become an elevator mechanic in Virginia?

The IUEC/NEIEP apprenticeship runs about 4 years. You're paid the whole time — it's a job, not tuition. Entry is competitive: it's one of the best-paid trades and one of the hardest to get into.

Do you need a license to work as an elevator mechanic in Virginia?

Most elevator mechanics enter through the IUEC union apprenticeship rather than a standalone license. Some states also require mechanics to hold a state elevator license or certificate alongside apprenticeship training — check Virginia's elevator safety board for the exact rules.

Where do Virginia elevator mechanics find apprenticeships?

Mainly through the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) and the National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP). Local programs serving Virginia include NEIEP / IUEC Local 10.