Sparky Life
On Your Construction Network the Sparky Life Podcast with Lia Lamela, every Thursday has remarkable stories and points of view from journeyman and woman who build the things that make our lives work! These lessons learned are not only valuable for those engaged in the skilled trades but frankly for all of us whether we use tools literally or figuratively in our daily lives. I share with you my electrical journey, experiences and insight through engaging banter with those I have met along the way. If you are interested in trade tales, an industry frought with excitement and risk subscribe and be notified every Thursday when trade tales continue. We build the world we want to live in. Let’s band together to create the sparks in our lives!
Sparky Life
The High-Paying Dirty Job Nobody Talks About (But Should)
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🎧 In this episode: Welcome back to Sparky Life — your official backstage pass to the world of dirty jobs, high paychecks, and careers that make your relatives go, "You do what for a living?!"
Today, we’re answering a BIG question:
Who makes the most money in the skilled trades?
💥 Think electricians rule the skilled trades paycheck game? Think again! In this episode of the Sparky Life Podcast, we reveal the surprising kings and queens of high-paying skilled trades — elevator and escalator mechanics — who often make over $100K a year without a college degree!
Join Lia as she dives into:
- The day-in-the-life of an elevator mechanic (spoiler: it's way more badass than you think 🚀)
- Why elevator mechanics are called the "ghosts" of the skilled trades
- The real reason more people aren’t jumping into this career (hint: it’s not the hard work)
- How to get into the NEIEP apprenticeship program and start building a 6-figure future
- Hidden perks like union benefits, pensions, millionaire retirement plans, and more!
👇 Follow for more blue collar badassery every Thursday!
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Meet the Highest Paid Skilled Trade You Probably Never Thought Of
Welcome back to Sparky Life — your official backstage pass to the world of dirty jobs, high paychecks, and careers that make your relatives go, "You do what for a living?!"
Today, we’re answering a BIG question:
Who makes the most money in the skilled trades?
I know all my fellow Sparkies are already yelling, "It's us, duh!"
But hold onto your wire strippers — because the answer might surprise you.
(And yes, before you come for me with your stats and spicy DMs, I get it — it depends on location. Chill. 😂)
Drumroll, Please... 🥁
According to my research (hello, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and NEIEP — the National Elevator Industry Educational Program), the heavyweight champ of high paychecks is...
👉 Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers!
These folks are cashing a median of $99,010 a year — and many earn over $100,000.
In unionized areas like NYC and California, some techs are raking in $150,000 with overtime.
$150K to fix elevators?!
Sign me UP.
But Wait — Why Aren't There More Elevator Mechanics?
Good question, bestie. Here's why:
- It's hard work: You need both brains and brawn.
- It's dangerous: Elevators kill around 30 people a year in the U.S. (mostly workers).
- It's unsexy: Society still treats skilled trades like a second-class career (spoiler: it's not).
- And honestly? Pride.
People would rather sit in a cubicle in a polyester shirt for $48K than get paid six figures to actually do something cool.
A Day in the Life of an Elevator Mechanic 🚀
Morning? You're checking a dispatch sheet, headed to a 50-story skyscraper because some poor soul pressed the emergency button halfway up.
Midday? You're deep-diving into gearboxes, hydraulics, brakes, and safety circuits — maybe even updating the controller software. (Yeah, it's way more high-tech than it sounds.)
Afternoon? You’re installing a new elevator unit, aligning steel rails to within half of one-thousandth of an inch.
(That’s .0005 inches, btw.)
This isn’t Lego building. It’s mechanical engineering + electrical wizardry + nerve of steel.
And in case you think elevators are "simple," fun fact:
The average commercial elevator ride only lasts 36 seconds — but it takes thousands of hours of labor to make sure you don’t die in that half-minute.
You're welcome, Karen.
Why Do They Get Paid So Much? (Hint: They Deserve It.)
Because:
- You’re combining medical-level precision, electrical wiring, hydraulics, and electronics every single day.
- You're mastering schematics, logic systems, and national safety codes (like ASME A17.1).
- You're working in tight shafts, loud environments, at ridiculous heights, with live electricity nearby.
- And you’re basically carrying people’s lives in your hands every single time you touch a system.
Add to that:
- Strong union support (IUEC, baby!).
- Overtime, double time, pensions, health benefits, and paid training.
- Zero college debt.
Honestly? It's a flex.
But Hold Up — It's Not All Rainbows and Penthouses
Here’s the real tea:
- Apprenticeships last 4-5 years. (Paid learning, but still a long haul.)
- Conditions can be hot, cold, noisy, and dangerous.
- On-call emergencies at 2 a.m.? Yep, that’s part of the gig.
- Union entry is competitive.
- You have to actually use your brain. (If that's not your thing... welp.)
Secrets About Elevator Mechanics (That Nobody Talks About)
👻 They're basically ghosts.
You’ll see "Elevator Out of Service" signs... but you’ll rarely see the humans fixing them. They’re usually hiding in shafts, rooftops, or creepy basements.
🤖 Elevators are smarter than your iPhone.
AI-based diagnostic systems and smart dispatching are the new norm. Yup, your future elevator can outthink you.
🧠 The apprenticeship is tougher than college.
Most people quit during the apprenticeship, not after.
🎓 Licensing is brutal.
Especially in states like California and New York. These folks are closer to engineers than "just mechanics."
💰 Millionaire potential.
With pensions, overtime, and benefits?
Work your way up — and you could literally retire a millionaire.
So How Do You Become an Elevator Mechanic?
- High school diploma? ✅
- Apply through neiep.org ✅
- Pass a mechanical aptitude test ✅
- Nail an interview ✅
Boom. You’re in.
(Okay, it’s a little harder than that. But you got this.)
Final Thoughts: Elevate Your Life 🚀
If you’re sick of:
- $50K cubicle jobs
- Endless Zoom meetings
- Being told you need a $200K degree to make six figures
...maybe it’s time to think outside the box (or in this case, the elevator shaft).
Smart + tough = six figures.
No suits required.
So if you know someone who's crazy smart, a little bit ripped, and definitely hates their 9-to-5, send them this post.
They might just thank you in five years when they’re chilling on a yacht.
Until next time — stay safe, stay Sparky, and as always...
