Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers
Also called: Elevator Installers and Repairers
Assemble, install, repair, or maintain electric or hydraulic freight or passenger elevators, escalators, or dumbwaiters.
Also called: Accessibility and Private Residence Lift Technician (Accessibility and Private Residence Lift Tech), Accessibility Lift Technician (Accessibility Lift Tech), Building Serviceman, Contract Serviceman, Elevator Adjuster, Elevator Builder
Median pay
$109,910
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$59,270 – $158,890
People employed
23,790
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 2.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 3.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 4.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 5.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 6.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 7.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
The hard parts
- Exposure to hazardous conditions
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
- Tight deadlines are common
Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (36 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers salary in every state →
What elevator and escalator installers and repairers do
- 01Inspect wiring connections, control panel hookups, door installations, and alignments and clearances of cars and hoistways to ensure that equipment will operate properly.
- 02Assemble, install, repair, and maintain elevators, escalators, moving sidewalks, and dumbwaiters, using hand and power tools, and testing devices such as test lamps, ammeters, and voltmeters.
- 03Disassemble defective units, and repair or replace parts such as locks, gears, cables, and electric wiring.
- 04Check that safety regulations and building codes are met, and complete service reports verifying conformance to standards.
- 05Assemble elevator cars, installing each car's platform, walls, and doors.
- 06Locate malfunctions in brakes, motors, switches, and signal and control systems, using test equipment.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
Knowledge
- Mechanical
- Customer and Personal Service
- Building and Construction
- Public Safety and Security
- Computers and Electronics
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: over 4 years, up to and including 10 years.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from elevator and escalator installers and repairers
- Hydroelectric Plant Technicians80% · group pay
- Ship Engineers79% · 0%
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay76% · −6%
- Signal and Track Switch Repairers76% · −16%
- Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers76% · −13%
Change into elevator and escalator installers and repairers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics83% · $50,620
- Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers83% · $56,210
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers83% · $61,010
- Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door82% · $74,340
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General81% · $49,590
Majors that lead here
- Industrial Mechanics and Maintenance Technology/Technician
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.