Elevator Mechanic
PrintWork Tasks
ELEVATOR MECHANICS assemble, install, and replace elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters, moving walkways, and similar equipment in new and old buildings. Elevator mechanics must have a thorough knowledge of electronics, electricity, and hydraulics. Many elevators are computer controlled. The most highly skilled elevator mechanics, called adjusters, specialize in fine-tuning all of the equipment after installation. They make sure the elevator is working according to specifications. Once an elevator is operating properly, it must be maintained and serviced regularly to keep it in safe, working condition.
Salary, Size & Growth
- $63,000 average per year ($30.25 per hour)
- A small occupation (20,400 workers in 2010)
- Expected to grow moderately (0.9% per year)
Entry Requirements
ELEVATOR MECHANICS apply for their jobs through the International Union of Elevator Constructors. Elevator mechanics learn their trade in a program administered by the local joint educational committees representing the employers and the union. These programs combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction in electrical and electronic theory, mathematics, applications of physics, and safety. It takes four to five years to become a qualified mechanic. Union trainees must pass a standard examination administered by the National Elevator Industry Educational Program. Most states and cities also require elevator mechanics to pass a licensing examination.