New Hampshire · BLS OEWS May 2025
Elevator Installer salary in New Hampshire: $109,910 median, no degree required
This is the best-kept secret in the trades. Elevator installers and repairers earn a median $109,910 in New Hampshire, among the highest of any trade, and the NEIEP union apprenticeship PAYS YOU from day one with almost nothing out of pocket. Four years of paid training versus four years of tuition; the math is not close. Our model shows a $700,882 advantage over the average college path at year 10. The catch is competitiveness: openings are limited and the aptitude test matters, which is exactly why the pay stays high. Every mid-rise and hospital in New Hampshire needs certified mechanics on call.
Reviewed by Brad Zemke, third-generation tradesman, 20+ years in the field.
Elevator Installer pay in New Hampshire
BLS OEWS May 2025 · 23,790 employed (national)
| Wage level | Per year | Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th percentile) | $59,270 | $28.50/hr |
| 25th percentile | $79,290 | $38.12/hr |
| Median wage | $109,910 | $52.84/hr |
| 75th percentile | $135,720 | $65.25/hr |
| Top earners (90th percentile) | $158,890 | $76.39/hr |
National estimate shown: BLS suppresses or has not yet published this state-level cell. State data lands automatically on the next data refresh.
The 10-year picture
Elevator Installer vs college in New Hampshire
- Elevator Installer, 10 years in
- $1,022,324
- cumulative earnings minus training costs
- College path, 10 years in
- $321,441
- avg degree, $37,850 debt, $11,568 interest paid
- Head start
- $700,882
- trade path is in the black by year 1; college by year 6
Cumulative earnings net of education costs and loan interest; taxes and living costs excluded from both paths. Full math and sources on the methodology page.
The apprenticeship
How you get in
The main door in New Hampshire is the National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP): a 4-year paid apprenticeship with stepped raises, benefits, and classroom training included. Applications open in windows and are competitive; a strong mechanical aptitude score and any electrical background help. Cost to you is basically tools and books.
Training cost in our model: $2,000. First-year pay near $54,955.
Licensing
What NH requires
Most states, New Hampshire included in the common case, require elevator mechanic licensing or certification tied to completing an approved apprenticeship, and the CET credential is recognized industry-wide. Regulation is strict because the work is life-safety, and strict regulation is part of why the wage holds.
FAQ
Elevator Installer questions, answered straight
How much do elevator installers make in New Hampshire?
The median elevator installer wage in New Hampshire is $109,910 a year ($52.84/hr) per BLS OEWS May 2025 data. The top 10% earn $158,890 or more. Entry-level pay starts around $59,270.
Is becoming a elevator installer worth it compared to college in New Hampshire?
On the 10-year math, yes. Our model puts a New Hampshire elevator installer at $1,022,324 in cumulative net earnings after 10 years, versus $321,441 for the average bachelor's path. That is a $700,882 head start, mostly because you earn while you train instead of paying tuition for four years.
How many elevator installers work in New Hampshire?
BLS counts 23,790 employed elevator installers in New Hampshire as of the May 2025 OEWS survey. (National figures shown; state-level data for this trade is still being added.)
Why do elevator installers get paid so much?
Three reasons: it is life-safety work with strict certification, the union apprenticeship gate keeps supply tight, and the skill set spans electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic systems. Top earners in New Hampshire clear $158,890.
How hard is it to get into the elevator union?
It is competitive. NEIEP recruitment opens region by region, applicants take an aptitude test and interview, and slots are limited. Apply in every open window, and consider electrical experience first; it is the most transferable background.
Get the trade pay report for your state
One email a week: real wage numbers, apprenticeship openings, and free training money (WIOA) most people never hear about. No spam, written by a real tradesman.
Unsubscribe anytime. Your email never gets sold.
Same trade, top pay
Elevator installers next door
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, occupation 47-4021, 23,790 employed (national figures). ROI model assumptions and sources: methodology.