Elevator Installer and Repairer Careers
A career as an elevator installer and repairer sees individuals responsible for installing, maintaining and servicing equipment related to elevators and other types of lifts. Occasionally the work can be quite strenuous and also potentially dangerous, but elevator workers are usually well rewarded with fairly high salaries.
As the job involves installing and repairing elevators, much of the work is performed inside elevator shafts and elevators themselves. As well, workers are often required to perform their tasks in the cramped confines of machine rooms and crawl spaces. The majority of workers typically work a 40-hour, 5-day week, although emergency repairs often necessitate working overtime. In addition, most elevator repair companies have technicians on call 24 hours a day, which means you could end up working some nights, weekends and even holidays.
Elevator Installer and Repairer Career Snapshot
Further details on a career as an elevator installer and repairer are listed below (statistics from the May 2016 Bureau of Labor Statistics and Onet Online):
is the median yearly salary for elevator installers and repairers.
increase in employment between 2014 and 2024.
have a High school diploma or equivalent while 36% have a Post-secondary certificate.
Elevator Installer & Repairer Education
The majority of elevator repairers and installers possess at least a high-school diploma, even if this isn’t technically a requirement. As of writing, 35 states require all work to be done by a licensed professional, almost all workers undergo extensive on-the-job training through an apprenticeship in order to obtain this license. However, there are a growing number of workers in this field that possess a post-secondary certificate or a professional degree, both of which usually lead to increased job opportunities and higher pay.
Elevator Installer & Repairer Job Duties
Elevator repairers and installers are responsible for installing and maintaining elevators and other lifts using their knowledge of these lift systems and a variety of tools and testing equipment. Workers must also have extensive electrical knowledge in order to connect the electrical motors and wiring.
Elevator Installer & Repairer Salaries
A career as an elevator installer and repairer could see you reap much better financial rewards than many other related construction and maintenance careers. In fact, as of May 2016 (BLS.gov statistics) the average industry salary was nearly $79,000, while those in the top 10 percent made an average of almost $115,000 a year. Still, apprentices and those in the lower end of the scale tend to make just under $40,000 annually.
Elevator Installer & Repairer Job Outlook
Job prospects are already quite excellent for elevator repairers and installers and employment opportunities are expected to only increase in the coming years. In fact, the total number of jobs is predicted to grow by a rate of 13 percent between 2014 and 2024, which is more than twice as fast as the rate of growth for other careers. Jobs are obviously more plentiful in large urban areas, but there are usually at least some available jobs in even small or mid-sized towns.
Elevator Installer and Repairer Skills & Traits
| Elevator Installer & Repairer Skill Set: | Required Abilities: | Tools Used by Elevator Installers & Repairers: | Typical Work Activities: |
|---|---|---|---|
| • Repairing • Troubleshooting • Equipment Maintenance • Equipment Selection | • Problem Sensitivity • Deductive Reasoning • Oral Comprehension • Arm-Hand Steadiness | • Graphic recorders • Hydraulic pressure gauges • Shielded arc welding tools • Wire strippers | • Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment • Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment • Decision Making • Performing General Physical Activities |
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