Day in the life
A Day in the Life of an Elevator Technician
What elevator technicians actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
Review the service route and callbacks on the company tablet. From there, the day usually includes install elevator rails, cars, machines and controls, wire controllers and safety circuits, and perform preventive maintenance on routes. Most work full-time. Service technicians take on-call shifts for nights, weekends and emergencies.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for an elevator technician working full time.
- 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.
- Replace a worn escalator step chain component with a partner.
- Assist the inspector with an annual safety test.
- Document work, order parts and update the maintenance log.
Where elevator technicians work
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.
Hours and schedule
Most work full-time. Service technicians take on-call shifts for nights, weekends and emergencies.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- 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
Tools you’ll use every day
- Multimeters and diagnostic tools
- Hand and power tools
- Rigging equipment and chain hoists
- Laser alignment tools
- Hydraulic pressure gauges
- Lockout/tagout devices
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Among the highest-paid skilled trades
- Paid apprenticeship with strong benefits
- Steady maintenance demand in every city
- Mix of electrical, mechanical and hydraulic work
What’s hard
- Competitive apprenticeship openings
- Confined spaces and heights
- On-call emergency work
- Serious electrical and mechanical hazards
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I like electrical and mechanical systems
- I enjoy troubleshooting
- I’m comfortable in tight spaces and at heights
- I want high pay without a four-year degree
- I take safety rules very seriously
- I can handle on-call emergencies
Not sure? Take the free Elevator Technician fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Follow lockout/tagout before working on equipment
- Use fall protection in hoistways and on car tops
- Never work under a car without proper blocking
- Treat all circuits as energized until tested