Elevator installer and repairer essential career information:
- 2012 median pay: $76,650
- 2012, number of jobs: 19,700
- Employment growth forecast, 2010-2020: 11 percent
- Entry-level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Elevator installers and repairers; what they do:
No one wants to get stuck in an elevator, so elevator installers and elevator repairers work hard to ensure this modern convenience continues running smoothly. Elevator installers and repairers also work on escalators, moving walkways, chairlifts, and other lifts.
Elevator installers and repairers careers include reading blueprints in order to determine the type of equipment needed for installation or repair of elevators, elevator doors, steel frames and cables, motors, or control systems.
When an elevator breaks down, an elevator installer or elevator repairer must determine the issue; they use test equipment such as voltmeters. An elevator repairer career includes performing preventative maintenance, such as oiling and greasing parts, replacing worn parts, and making adjustments.
An elevator installer career includes ensuring new elevators comply with safety regulations and building codes.
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Elevator installers and repairers job titles:
- Elevator Constructor
- Elevator Mechanic
- Elevator Technician
- Adjuster
- Assistant Mechanic
- Elevator Service Mechanic
- Elevator Constructor
- Elevator Service Technician
- Elevator Serviceman
Elevator Installers and Repairers Education, Certification and License Requirements
An elevator installer career or elevator repairer career begins with a four-year apprenticeship, usually sponsored by a union or individual contractor.
Elevator installer and repairer programs cover subjects such as:
- Blueprint reading
- Electrical and electronic theory
- Mathematics
- Applied physics
- Safety
In some states elevator installers and repairers need a license.
Certification is not required for elevator installers and repairers, but certification helps with job competition and to show specific skills and expertise. Elevator installers and repairers can become certified as a Certified Elevator Technician or Certified Accessibility and Private Residence Lift Technician through the National Association of Elevator Contractors.
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Career Advancement Opportunities
Elevator installers and repairers may advance in their career through acquiring certification and taking continuing education courses. Possible positions for promotions include mechanic-in-charge, adjustor, supervisor, or elevator inspector.
Elevator Installers and Repairers Job Outlook
Forecast: 11 percent increase in employment from 2010 to 2020 for elevator installers and elevator repairers, about on par with the average for all occupations.
An increase in nonresidential construction, including buildings with elevators, increases the demand for elevator installers and repairers. They also maintain, repair and update existing elevators.
Elevator Installers and Repairers Salary
- 2012 median annual wage: $76,650
- 2012, workers at the 75th percentile annual wage: $90,900
- 2012, workers at the 25th percentile annual wage: $59,800
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Elevator Installers and Repairers Employers

- Building equipment contractors industry
- Self-employed
