ELEVATOR MECHANIC
Installs, modernizes, and repairs elevators and escalators. The highest-paid construction trade in the BLS data. Wyoming is a right-to-work state — union density is lower than the national average, but licensed tradespeople still command solid wages on prevailing wage projects.
The License.
Check with Wyoming directly — licensing for elevator mechanicvaries by municipality in this state. There is no single state board that we can point to with confidence for this trade. Contact your local city or county building department, or check the state labor department's website.
The Money.
Pay data for this trade in Wyoming. 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 |
Wyoming is a right-to-work state. Union scale in major Wyoming metros typically runs 10–20% above the national median on public projects with prevailing wage requirements; non-union pay can run 15–30% below union scale on private work.
The Path.
In Wyoming, apprenticeships are administered through the federal RAPIDS system via the U.S. Department of Labor. To find registered programs, go to apprenticeship.gov and filter by state. Most joint apprenticeship training committees (JATCs) also accept direct applications.
- · International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC)
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. Wyoming may adopt different code editions than adjacent states. Confirm the specific code edition before purchasing prep materials. Note: prevailing wage rules in Wyoming apply primarily to public projects — private-sector jobs in this right-to-work state are exempt.
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 Many licensing boards do not publish them.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.
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.