How much do elevator installers make in Indiana in 2026?

Elevator installers in Indiana earn a median annual wage of $92,390, which works out to $44.42 per hour based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. That puts this trade among the higher-paying skilled trades in the state — well above the typical construction wage. But the spread across the pay range is wide, so where you land matters a lot.

At the 25th percentile, elevator installers earn $63,490 per year, or roughly $30.52 per hour. Workers at this level are typically early in their careers — still completing or recently finishing an apprenticeship, or working in less complex installation environments. At the 75th percentile, pay climbs to $122,330 annually, about $58.81 per hour. That upper tier represents experienced mechanics who handle complex commercial and industrial jobs, lead crews, or work in markets where demand is consistently high.

The gap between the 25th and 75th percentile is nearly $59,000 per year. That's not a rounding error — it reflects real differences in experience, specialization, and the type of work you're doing. A mechanic who can service and install hydraulic, traction, and machine-room-less elevators, escalators, and lifts commands more than someone limited to routine residential installs.

Elevator installation in Indiana is concentrated in the Indianapolis metro area, where commercial construction — office towers, hospitals, hotels, and mixed-use developments — keeps demand steady. Fort Wayne, Evansville, and South Bend generate work too, but the volume and complexity of jobs in those markets typically don't match Indianapolis. Mechanics willing to travel or commute across the state often get access to larger projects and better pay.

This trade requires significant formal training. Most elevator mechanics enter through a multi-year apprenticeship program that combines on-the-job hours with classroom instruction covering electrical systems, hydraulics, safety codes, and building codes. Indiana also requires licensure for elevator mechanics — you need to be a licensed elevator mechanic or work under one. Licensing requirements are tied to state law, so confirm current requirements with the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission. Failure to meet licensing standards can limit where and what you can work on.

Overtime is a real factor in this trade. Elevator mechanics often work on building schedules that require nights and weekends to minimize disruption to building occupants. In busy construction cycles, overtime can add meaningful dollars to your annual take-home — potentially pushing a median-wage worker's actual earnings noticeably higher than the $92,390 baseline. The BLS figures used here are straight wages and do not include overtime premiums, benefits, or employer contributions to pension or health plans.

Some elevator mechanics in Indiana work under collective bargaining agreements. If that applies to you, your actual wage and benefit package is set by your local agreement — check it directly, as the terms can differ from the BLS survey figures shown here.

The BLS OEWS data used on this page (May 2025) captures base wages across a broad survey period. It does not capture recent contract changes, current job-site premiums, or shift differentials. Use the figures here as a reliable baseline for understanding where the market sits, then compare against actual job offers and any applicable agreement you're covered by.

To move toward the upper end of the pay range, the clearest paths are accumulating years of experience on complex commercial and industrial projects, developing specialization in escalators, moving walks, or specialized accessibility equipment, and maintaining an active license with no lapses. Mechanics who can also supervise or train apprentices are more valuable to employers and tend to earn accordingly.