Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
Understanding, using, maintaining, or repairing machines, tools, equipment, and mechanical systems.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become an Elevator or Escalator Installer and Repairer The 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 & 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. Information on certifications is available from CareerOneStop. 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.
Your Next Step
Learn about training pathways and use the career details above to identify the type of apprenticeship or technical preparation to research.
Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of elevator and escalator installers and repairers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 1,900 openings for elevator and escalator installers and repairers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many 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 buildings 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. Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Elevator and escalator installers and repairers 6% Other construction and related workers 3% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers Do
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 tasks
Elevator 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
Work Environment
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers held about 24,700 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of elevator and escalator installers and repairers were as follows:
| Building equipment contractors | 89% |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | 1 |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 1 |
Elevator 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.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. 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.
More Information
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.
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Explore Apprenticeship & Training
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.