### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            									
							
				                                                
                                            




            			elevator installers and repairers imageElevator mechanics often work in elevator machine rooms, which are at the top of some elevator hoistways.							
						Quick Facts:     Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers2023     Median Pay
            						$102,420     per year
										$49.24     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    High school diploma or equivalentWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    ApprenticeshipNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    25,100Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    1% (Little or no change)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    400What Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers Do
                                                
                        
                        
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers install, maintain, and fix elevators, escalators, moving walkways, and other lifts.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers often work in cramped areas inside crawl spaces and machine rooms, and they may work at heights in elevator shafts. Most elevator and escalator installers and repairers work full time. Repairers may be on call 24 hours a day or may need to work overtime.
            
                                                How to Become an Elevator or Escalator Installer and Repairer
                                                
                        
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. Nearly all learn how to do the work through an apprenticeship. Most states require workers to be licensed.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for elevator and escalator installers and repairers was $102,420 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of elevator and escalator installers and repairers is projected to show little or no change							 from 2022 to 2032.
						Despite  limited  employment growth, about 2,100 openings for elevator and escalator installers and repairers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for elevator and escalator installers and repairers.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of elevator and escalator installers and repairers with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about elevator and escalator installers and repairers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers Do 
            

			Elevator installers and repairersMechanics check many parts, including the rails of an escalator.			
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers install, maintain, and fix elevators, escalators, moving walkways, and other lifts.
Duties
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers typically do the following:
Read and interpret blueprints to determine the layout of system components and to select the equipment needed for installation or repair
Assemble elevator cars and components for similar systems
Connect electrical wiring to control panels and motors
Test newly installed equipment to ensure that it meets specifications
Troubleshoot malfunctions in brakes, motors, switches, and control systems
Dismantle elevator, escalator, or similar units to remove and replace defective parts, using hoists, ladders, and handtools or power tools
Repair or replace faulty components in order to return elevator or escalator to fully operational status
Conduct preventive maintenance and inspections of elevators, escalators, and similar equipment to comply with safety regulations and building codes
Keep service records of all maintenance and repair tasksElevator and escalator installers and repairers, also called *elevator and escalator constructors* or *mechanics*, assemble, install, maintain, and replace elevators, escalators, chairlifts, moving walkways, and similar equipment.
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers usually specialize in installation, maintenance, or repair work. Maintenance and repair workers generally need to know more about electronics, hydraulics, and electricity than do installers. Most elevators and similar mechanisms have computerized control systems, requiring maintenance and repair workers to do complex troubleshooting.
After an elevator, escalator, or other equipment is installed, workers must regularly maintain and repair it. Maintenance includes oiling and greasing moving parts, replacing worn parts, and adjusting equipment for optimal performance. Workers also troubleshoot and may be called for emergency repair.
A service crew usually handles major repairs—for example, replacing cables, doors and other components, or machine bearings. Service crews may need to use cutting torches or rigging equipment and also may need to do major modernization and alteration, such as replacing electric motors, hydraulic pumps, and control panels.
 Work Environment
			Elevator installers and repairersElevator mechanics also work on chair lifts.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Elevator and escalator installers and repairers held about 25,100 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of elevator and escalator installers and repairers were as follows:
        Building equipment contractors
                85%Government
                3Educational services; state, local, and private
                1Elevator and escalator installation and repair work is usually physically demanding. These workers may sit or stand for extensive periods, lift items that weigh up to 200 pounds, and work in cramped areas inside crawl spaces and machine rooms. They also may work at heights in elevator shafts, in dusty and dirty places with oily and greasy equipment, and in hot or cold environments.
Injuries and Illnesses
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers may suffer injuries from falls, burns from electrical shocks, and muscle strains from lifting and carrying heavy equipment. To reduce their risks and prevent injury, workers must wear protective equipment such as hardhats, harnesses, and safety glasses.
Work Schedules
Most elevator and escalator installers and repairers work full time. They may work overtime to make emergency repairs or to meet construction deadlines. They may be on call 24 hours a day.
 How to Become an Elevator or Escalator Installer and Repairer

			Elevator installers and repairersThe fine tuning of an elevator is done by an adjustor.			
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. Nearly all learn how to do the work through an apprenticeship. Most states require workers to be licensed.
Education
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required. High school classes in math, mechanical drawing, and physics may be helpful.
Training
A career in elevator or escalator installation and repair typically begins with a 4-year apprenticeship program sponsored by a union, industry association, or employer. For each year of a typical program, apprentices must complete a predetermined number of hours of technical instruction and paid on-the-job training. During training, apprentices learn about safety, blueprint reading, mathematics, applied physics, elevator and escalator parts, electrical and digital theory, and electronics.
When they finish the apprenticeship program, fully trained elevator and escalator installers and repairers become mechanics or assistant mechanics. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers need ongoing training in order to keep up with technological developments.
Workers with relevant experience who can document it and demonstrate their skill may qualify for a shorter apprenticeship.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Most states require elevator and escalator installers and repairers to be licensed. Check with your state for more information.
Although not required, certification shows competence and proficiency in the field.
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers can become Certified Elevator Technicians (CET) or Certified Accessibility and Private Residence Lift Technicians (CAT) through the National Association of Elevator Contractors. They can also be certified as Qualified Elevator Inspectors (QEI) through the National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities International.
Employers may require elevator and escalator installers to have a driver’s license or reliable transportation to travel to jobsites.
Advancement
Installers may receive additional training to specialize and advance to become a mechanic-in-charge, adjuster, or supervisor.
Important Qualities
***Ability to work at heights.***Some elevator and escalator installers may have to work atop ladders, mechanical lifts, or in elevator shafts.
***Detail oriented.*** Elevator and escalator installers must keep accurate records of their service schedules. They need to carefully review complex blueprints and follow blueprint instructions exactly.
***Mechanical skills.*** Elevator and escalator installers use a variety of power tools and handtools to install and repair lifts.
***Physical stamina.*** Elevators and escalator installers must be able to do strenuous work, including in cramped and confined spaces, for long periods.
***Physical strength.*** Elevator and escalator installers often lift heavy equipment and parts, including escalator steps, conduit, and metal tracks. They may be required to lift equipment weighing up to 200 pounds.
***Troubleshooting skills.*** Elevator and escalator installers must be able to diagnose problems, especially when making repairs.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Elevator and Escalator Installers and RepairersMedian annual wages, May 2023Elevator and escalator installers and repairers$102,420  Other construction and related workers$52,900  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for elevator and escalator installers and repairers was $102,420 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $51,960, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $138,910.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for elevator and escalator installers and repairers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Building equipment contractors
                $103,290Government
                100,620Educational services; state, local, and private
                89,850The starting pay for apprentices is usually about 50 percent of what fully trained elevator and escalator installers and repairers make. They earn pay increases as they progress in their apprenticeship. Apprentices who are also certified welders usually receive higher wages while welding.
Most elevator and escalator installers and repairers work full time. They may work overtime to make emergency repairs or to meet construction deadlines. Workers may be on call 24 hours a day.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
               Elevator and Escalator Installers and RepairersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Other construction and related workers3%  Total, all occupations3%  Elevator and escalator installers and repairers1%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of elevator and escalator installers and repairers is projected to show little or no change				 from 2022 to 2032.
			
			Despite  limited  employment growth, about 2,100 openings for elevator and escalator installers and repairers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Demand for elevator and escalator installers and repairers is closely tied to the construction of office buildings and stores that have elevators and escalators, and this type of construction is expected to slow over the projections decade.
However, the need to regularly maintain, update, and repair old equipment; provide access for people with disabilities; and install increasingly sophisticated equipment and controls will sustain demand for elevator and escalator installers and repairers.
			

                        Employment projections data for     elevator and escalator installers and repairers, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Elevator and escalator installers and repairers**
			47-4021
			25,100
			25,500
			1
			400
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of elevator and escalator installers and repairers. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Boilermakers**
            Boilermakers assemble, install, maintain, and repair boilers, closed vats, and other large vessels or containers that hold liquids and gases.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $71,140**Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers**
            Electrical and electronics installers and repairers install or repair a variety of electrical equipment.
            See How to Become One
            $67,220**Electricians**
            Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $61,590**Industrial Machinery Mechanics, Machinery Maintenance Workers, and Millwrights**
            Industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights install, maintain, and repair factory equipment and other industrial machinery.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $61,170**Ironworkers**
            Ironworkers install structural and reinforcing iron and steel to form and support buildings, bridges, and roads.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $60,780**Sheet Metal Workers**
            Sheet metal workers fabricate or install products that are made from thin metal sheets.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $58,780**Wind Turbine Technicians**
            Wind turbine service technicians maintain and repair wind turbines.
            Postsecondary nondegree award
            $61,770
 Contacts for More Information
								
For information about apprenticeships or job opportunities as an elevator and escalator installer or repairer, contact local elevator and escalator contractors, a local chapter of the International Union of Elevator Constructors, a local joint union–management apprenticeship committee, or the nearest office of your state employment service or apprenticeship agency. Apprenticeship information is available from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship program online or by phone at 877-872-5627. Visit Apprenticeship.govto search for apprenticeship opportunities.
For more information about elevator installers and repairers, visit
International Union of Elevator Constructors
National Elevator Industry Educational Program
For more information about the NAEC Apprenticeship Program, the Certified Elevator Technician program, or the Certified Accessibility and Private Residence Lift Technician program, visit
National Association of Elevator Contractors
For more information about certification as a Qualified Elevator Inspector, visit
National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities International
For information about opportunities for military veterans, visit:
Helmets to Hardhats

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/elevator-installers-and-repairers.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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