Career Overview
Assemble, install, repair, or maintain electric or hydraulic freight or passenger elevators, escalators, or dumbwaiters.
Also Known As
- Elevator Mechanic
- Elevator Service Mechanic
- Elevator Service Technician (Elevator Service Tech)
- Elevator Technician (Elevator Tech)
Alternate Job Titles
- Accessibility and Private Residence Lift Technician (Accessibility and Private Residence Lift Tech)
- Accessibility Lift Technician (Accessibility Lift Tech)
- Building Serviceman
- Contract Serviceman
- Elevator Adjuster
- Elevator Builder
- Elevator Constructor
- Elevator Erector
- Elevator Examiner
- Elevator Installation Worker
- Elevator Installer
- Elevator Lift Technician (Elevator Lift Tech)
- Elevator Mechanic
- Elevator Repair and Maintenance Technician (Elevator Repair and Maintenance Tech)
- Elevator Repairer
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Inspect wiring connections, control panel hookups, door installations, and alignments and clearances of cars and hoistways to ensure that equipment will operate properly.
- Assemble, install, repair, and maintain elevators, escalators, moving sidewalks, and dumbwaiters, using hand and power tools, and testing devices such as test lamps, ammeters, and voltmeters.
- Disassemble defective units, and repair or replace parts such as locks, gears, cables, and electric wiring.
- Check that safety regulations and building codes are met, and complete service reports verifying conformance to standards.
- Locate malfunctions in brakes, motors, switches, and signal and control systems, using test equipment.
- Adjust safety controls, counterweights, door mechanisms, and components such as valves, ratchets, seals, and brake linings.
- Read and interpret blueprints to determine the layout of system components, frameworks, and foundations, and to select installation equipment.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Mechanical
- Customer and Personal Service
- Building and Construction
- Public Safety and Security
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Equipment Maintenance
- Troubleshooting
- Repairing
- Critical Thinking
- Operations Monitoring
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Deductive Reasoning
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Comprehension
- Manual Dexterity
- Finger Dexterity
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Inductive Reasoning
- Near Vision
- Extent Flexibility
- Information Ordering
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Integrity
- Perseverance
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Working Conditions
- Independence
- Relationships
- Achievement
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 4 years, up to and including 10 years
Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Adjustable wrenches
- Ammeters
- Amp meters
- Cable tensionmeters
- Capacity testers
- Cleaning scrapers
- Commutator stones
- Conduit benders
- Cutting torches
- Diagonal cutting pliers
- Digital oscilloscopes
- Disk grinders
- Electricians' knives
- Equipment dollies
- Event recorders
Work Environment
- Frequency of Decision Making
- Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Telephone Conversations
- Health and Safety of Other Workers
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $54,720 |
| Median | $106,580 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $149,250 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 23,340
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $48,620
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $63,980
Millwrights
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $65,170
Rail Car Repairers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $65,680
Mechanical Door Repairers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $51,050
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.