Electrician
Install, maintain and repair electrical wiring, panels and equipment safely to code.
- $63,190
- 4–5 years (paid apprenticeship)
Skilled Trades & Construction career
Elevator Technician
Also called: Elevator Mechanic · Elevator Installer · Escalator Technician · Elevator Constructor
What elevator technicians do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does an elevator technician do?
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers assemble, install, test, maintain and repair elevators, escalators, moving walkways and lifts, working with electrical, mechanical and hydraulic systems. The median pay is $109,910 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 4–5 years (apprenticeship), and employment is projected to grow +5.7% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$109,910$52.84/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+5.7%2025–35, faster than average
- Openings per year1,900Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to train4–5 years (apprenticeship)Typical program length
- U.S. jobs24,700Employment, 2025
What elevator technicians do
Elevator technicians install new elevators in buildings under construction, modernize older systems and keep existing units running safely. The work combines electrical controls, motors, hydraulics, cables and safety devices. Service technicians run preventive maintenance routes, troubleshoot breakdowns and rescue passengers when elevators stop between floors.
Most technicians complete a four- to five-year apprenticeship, often through the International Union of Elevator Constructors and its National Elevator Industry Educational Program. Many states require a license. It is one of the highest-paying skilled trades without a college degree.
Typical duties
- Install elevator rails, cars, machines and controls
- Wire controllers and safety circuits
- Perform preventive maintenance on routes
- Troubleshoot electrical, mechanical and hydraulic faults
- Test safety devices and perform code-required inspections
- Modernize older elevator systems
- Respond to entrapments and emergency calls
Work environment and schedule
Technicians work in elevator shafts, machine rooms and pits, often in tight, hot or dusty spaces. Installation work happens in buildings under construction. Hazards include heights, moving equipment and high voltage.
Schedule: Most work full-time. Service technicians take on-call shifts for nights, weekends and emergencies.
A day in the life
- Review the service route and callbacks on the company tablet.
- Perform monthly maintenance on traction elevators in an office tower.
- Answer a callback for an elevator stuck with its doors open; adjust the door operator.
- Test hydraulic elevator pressure and inspect the pump unit at a hospital.
See a full day in the life of an elevator technician →
Elevator Technician salary
Half of elevator technicians earned more than $109,910 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $59,270 for the lowest 10% to $158,890 for the top 10%.
Full elevator technician pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become an elevator technician
- Finish high school
- Pass an aptitude test
- Complete an apprenticeship
- Pass the mechanic exam and get licensed
- Advance
A high school diploma is typical. Most elevator technicians complete a four- to five-year apprenticeship with paid work and classroom training in electrical theory, hydraulics, safety and elevator codes. Applicants usually take a mechanical aptitude test.
Step-by-step guide to becoming an elevator technician →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Electrical troubleshooting
- Reading wiring diagrams
- Hydraulic systems
- Rigging and hoisting
- Safety code compliance (ASME A17.1)
People skills
- Problem solving
- Safety discipline
- Customer communication
- Teamwork
All elevator technician skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Among the highest-paid skilled trades
- Paid apprenticeship with strong benefits
- Steady maintenance demand in every city
- Mix of electrical, mechanical and hydraulic work
Cons
- Competitive apprenticeship openings
- Confined spaces and heights
- On-call emergency work
- Serious electrical and mechanical hazards
Certifications and licenses
- State elevator mechanic license: Required in many states and cities.
- Certified Elevator Technician (CET): Credential from the National Association of Elevator Contractors.
- Qualified Elevator Inspector (QEI): Certification for inspecting elevators to code.
- OSHA 10 or 30-Hour Construction: Construction safety training.
Career path
- Elevator Apprentice: Learn installation and service.
- Elevator Mechanic: Install and service elevators independently.
- Adjuster or Modernization Specialist: Fine-tune new systems and upgrade old ones.
- Supervisor, Inspector or Sales Manager: Lead teams, inspect or manage accounts.
Learn the job before day one
Our Elevator Technician training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as perform preventive maintenance on a traction elevator and respond to an elevator entrapment, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Elevator Technician vs. Electrician · Elevator Technician vs. Maintenance Technician · Elevator Technician vs. HVAC Technician · Elevator Technician vs. Millwright
Elevator Technician FAQ
How long does it take to become an elevator technician?
Most apprenticeships last four to five years.
Do elevator technicians need a license?
Many states and cities require one, usually after an apprenticeship and exam.
Is it hard to get into an elevator apprenticeship?
Openings are limited and competitive. A strong aptitude test score and mechanical experience help.
How much does an elevator technician make?
The median annual wage for elevator technicians was $109,910 ($52.84 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $59,270 and the highest 10% earned more than $158,890.
How long does it take to become an elevator technician?
Most people need about 4–5 years (apprenticeship) of training. A high school diploma is typical. Most elevator technicians complete a four- to five-year apprenticeship with paid work and classroom training in electrical theory, hydraulics, safety and elevator codes. Applicants usually take a mechanical aptitude test.
Do you need a degree to be an elevator technician?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus apprenticeship.
More elevator technician questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 47-4021 (Elevator and escalator installers and repairers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Elevator and escalator installers and repairers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.