Apparatus for mounting components, even if the components have narrow inter-component distances, without producing any interference between already mounted components and suction nozzles or components being suction-held by the suction nozzles. The component mounting apparatus for picking up electronic components supplied from a component supply section by suction nozzles attached to a mounting head and mounting electronic components on a printed circuit board, includes a control section containing information relating to components to be mounted and controlling, based on this information, the positions of the suction nozzle, the mounting head and the printed circuit board so that components to be mounted are mounted in ascending order of height.