Israeli Elevator Technicians Earn Above Average, But Most Lack Formal Certification
The average monthly gross salary in the sector encompassing elevator maintenance, repair, and equipment installation in Israel reached NIS 16,599 in 2024, according to data from the Central Bureau of Statistics. This figure is approximately 23% higher than the national average salary of NIS 13,511 for the same year. The sector, which comprises 5,900 positions, has seen a steady increase in average earnings, rising from NIS 15,300 in 2022 to NIS 15,794 in 2023. However, this average salary includes a range of roles, such as engineers, sales personnel, and management, not just elevator technicians.
Salaries can vary significantly depending on the specific sub-sector. Those involved in elevator installation within construction projects earn an average of NIS 12,238 per month. Certified inspectors, engineers, or technicians who conduct elevator checks rather than maintenance, earn an average of NIS 15,922 monthly.
A significant finding is that the majority of individuals working as elevator technicians in Israel lack formal certification. The Ministry of Labor distinguishes between a "certified elevator technician" (מעליתן מוסמך), who holds a certificate from the vocational training division, and a "technician" or "assistant technician," who may work in the field without this formal qualification. Official ministry documents indicate that most workers in the field do not possess formal training. In 2025, only 18 new certified elevator technicians were qualified in Israel, a stark contrast to the thousands qualified in other vocational fields like safety assistants and signalers.
The pathway to becoming a certified elevator technician is rigorous and lengthy. It requires 12 years of schooling, five years of experience in elevator services, a course in working at heights, and finally, an acceptance committee review. This process explains why most practitioners are not certified and why so few complete the formal training. Upon completion, technicians receive both a certified elevator technician certificate and a service electrician license.
Israel has an estimated 120,000 elevators, though official records list fewer. Approximately 260,000 periodic inspections are conducted annually by around 94 active inspectors, with about 60% of elevators failing their initial inspection. The market is concentrated, with the six largest of 92 service companies handling 68% of all elevators, contributing to high demand for technicians and rising wages in the sector.
