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Elevator Manufacturing and Service
Otis, KONE, Schindler
Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers
These workers install, wire, inspect, and fix elevators and escalators, often inside shafts, machine rooms, and crowded mechanical spaces. The job is unusual because it blends electrical troubleshooting with heavy mechanical work, and the biggest tradeoff is strong pay for specialized hands-on work in a setting where safety, precision, and physical strain all matter every day.
Also known as Elevator MechanicElevator TechnicianElevator Service TechnicianElevator InstallerEscalator Technician
Median Salary
$106,580
Mean $104,860
U.S. Workforce
~23K
2K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+5%
24.2K to 25.4K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers sits in the Trades category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~23K workers, with a median annual pay of $106,580 and roughly 2K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 24.2 K in 2024 to 25.4K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with High School Diploma or GED, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Apprentice Elevator Installer and can progress toward Field Supervisor. High-value skills usually include Equipment Maintenance, Repairing, and Troubleshooting, paired with soft skills such as Critical Thinking, Attention to Detail, and Problem Solving.
Core Responsibilities
- Find the cause of a breakdown by testing motors, brakes, switches, and control systems with diagnostic equipment.
- Take apart damaged units and swap out worn parts like cables, gears, locks, wiring, and brake parts.
- Run electrical conduit and wiring through shafts, then connect the system to control panels and motors.
- Install doors, frames, rollers, and guide parts so the car moves smoothly and stays centered in the shaft.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Find the cause of a breakdown by testing motors, brakes, switches, and control systems with diagnostic equipment.
02 Take apart damaged units and swap out worn parts like cables, gears, locks, wiring, and brake parts.
03 Run electrical conduit and wiring through shafts, then connect the system to control panels and motors.
04 Install doors, frames, rollers, and guide parts so the car moves smoothly and stays centered in the shaft.
05 Adjust safety settings, counterweights, and door parts so the elevator or escalator operates correctly.
06 Check wiring, clearances, alignments, and hookups to make sure the equipment is safe and ready to use.
Industries That Hire
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Commercial Real Estate and Property Management
CBRE, JLL, Cushman & Wakefield
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Healthcare Facilities
Kaiser Permanente, Mayo Clinic, HCA Healthcare
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Transportation Hubs and Transit
Amtrak, MTA, MARTA
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Data Centers and High-Rise Operations
Equinix, Digital Realty, Amazon
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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The pay is strong for a trade, with a median annual wage of $106,580 and a mean of $104,860.
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You can get started without a college degree; the usual entry point is a high school diploma or certificate plus apprenticeship training.
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The work is highly technical, so good troubleshooting skills can make you valuable quickly.
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About 2.0 thousand annual openings suggest steady turnover and replacement demand, even in a small occupation.
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Demand is expected to grow to 25.4 thousand jobs by 2034, so experienced workers should still find opportunities.
Challenges
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The job is almost never remote because repairs and installations have to happen on-site in shafts, machine rooms, and building service areas.
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Getting fully qualified takes time because employers typically rely on apprenticeship training rather than quick classroom-only preparation.
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The work can be physically punishing and risky, with heavy parts, tight spaces, and electrical hazards to manage every day.
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Career growth can flatten unless you move into supervision, project coordination, or another higher-level role, because most jobs stay hands-on in the field.
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The occupation is relatively small and projected to grow only 5.0% from 2024 to 2034, so openings are available but not abundant.
Career Progression
Apprentice Elevator Installer
0-2 years
$55K-$70K
Learns the trade by carrying materials, helping with installs, and doing basic tasks under close supervision.
Elevator Installer and Repairer
2-5 years
$71K-$92K
Handles routine installation and repair work, usually with less oversight and more responsibility for troubleshooting.
Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers THIS ROLE
5-9 years
$93K-$116K
Works independently on installs, repairs, inspections, and diagnostics for elevator and escalator systems.
Lead Elevator Technician
9-15 years
$117K-$134K
Takes on the hardest service calls, helps train newer workers, and checks that work meets safety standards.
Field Supervisor
15+ years
$135K-$160K
Oversees crews, schedules jobs, coordinates with building owners, and manages quality and safety on larger projects.
Education Paths
High School Diploma or GED
The most common entry route, held by 47.49% of workers in this field.
Post-Secondary Certificate in Elevator Technology
Nearly as common, this route accounts for 47.14% of workers and is a direct fit for the technical side of the job.
Associate Degree in Electromechanical or Industrial Technology
A smaller path, used by 4.54% of workers, and helpful for people who want broader electrical and mechanical training.
Apprenticeship
A formal apprenticeship is also a realistic route because employers train new hires on the job and the BLS lists apprenticeship as the typical training method.
Key Skills
Technical
Equipment Maintenance 80%
Repairing 80%
Troubleshooting 80%
Electrical Wiring, Control Panels & Motor Circuits 78%
Multimeters, Megohmmeters & Diagnostic Test Equipment 76%
Blueprint Reading & Wiring Diagrams 74%
Installation & Alignment of Elevator Components 70%
Quality Control Inspection & Safety Checks 70%
Soft Skills
Critical ThinkingAttention to DetailProblem SolvingActive ListeningCommunicationTeamwork Job Outlook and Trends
+5%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
2K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 24.2K to 25.4 K over the next decade, representing 5% growth. Around 2 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.