ELEVATOR MECHANIC

in California

Installs, modernizes, and repairs elevators and escalators. The highest-paid construction trade in the BLS data. California is not a right-to-work state — union density is higher than average and prevailing wage rules cover most public projects.

Median pay (national)

$102,420

BLS OEWS May 2024

Top 10%

$142,060

90th percentile

To journeyman

4–4 yrs

Licensing required

YES

check state board

§ 01

The License.

Licensing board

California Contractors State License Board (CSLB)

Verify license / apply → https://www.cslb.ca.gov/

Most states issue a journeyman license (allows you to work under a licensed contractor) and a separate master or contractor license (allows you to pull permits and run your own business). The journeyman license typically requires completing your apprenticeship and passing a written exam; the master/contractor license requires additional field hours — usually 2 years as a journeyman — and a separate exam.

Requirements in California: confirm current hour and exam requirements directly with California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). Rules update frequently and our data reflects published standards as of early 2025.

§ 02

The Money.

Pay data for this trade in California. BLS metro-level data was not available for this combination. National medians shown below.

Stage	Hourly range	Approx. annual
Year 1 apprentice	$25–$35/hr	$50,000 – $70,000
Journeyman scale	$55–$78/hr	$110,000 – $156,000
BLS national median	—	$102,420
BLS top 10%	—	$142,060

California is NOT a right-to-work state. Union scale in California's major metros typically runs 20–40% above the national median. Prevailing wage laws apply to most public-sector projects.

§ 03

The Path.

Apprenticeship length

4–4 years

8,000 on-the-job hours · 600 classroom hours

Education floor

HS Diploma + Algebra

Minimum age: 18 · Driver's license: Yes · Drug test: Standard

California does NOT use the federal RAPIDS system. The state's Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) administers all registered apprenticeship programs independently. A RAPIDS-registered apprenticeship from another state may not transfer. Find California programs at dir.ca.gov/das.

Sponsoring unions

· International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC)

§ 04

The Exam.

Licensing exams for elevator mechanic work typically cover the applicable mechanical code (IMC or state-specific), plumbing code (IPC or UPC depending on the state), and material standards. California may adopt different code editions than adjacent states. Confirm the specific code edition before purchasing prep materials. Prevailing wage requirements in California apply to most public-sector projects, which ties exam and licensure to wage scale compliance for contractors.

Be honest about pass rates. Many licensing boards do not publish them. When they do, first-time pass rates for journeyman exams in the trades typically run 50–75%. Preparation time varies — most serious candidates spend 60–120 hours on exam prep. Use code books from the correct edition, not what's currently in print.

§ 05

What recruiters won't tell you.

01Hardest construction trade to get into. Apply, network, don't give up after one no.
02Family-and-friends hiring is a real pattern in some locals. Persistence beats credentials here.
03Almost entirely union — non-union elevator work is essentially nonexistent.
04Mechanical-aptitude test is no joke. Study the IUEC EIAT prep material seriously.
05California has its own apprenticeship agency (DAS) and does NOT use the federal RAPIDS system. A RAPIDS-registered apprenticeship from another state may not transfer directly.
06California CSLB licensing is required for any job over $500 in labor and materials. Working unlicensed is a misdemeanor and can result in fines up to $15,000.