Elevator and escalator installers and repairers assemble, maintain, and fix the vertical transportation systems in buildings and public spaces. It is hands-on, in demand, and you can start without a four-year degree. Here is what the work involves, what it takes, and how to get in.
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You install and repair elevators, escalators, and moving walkways in buildings, transit systems, and other structures. Your work includes assembling mechanical and electronic components, testing systems to ensure they meet safety standards, troubleshooting problems, and performing routine maintenance. You read blueprints and technical drawings, inspect equipment for wear and damage, and document your work. You work at heights and in confined spaces, often coordinating with other trades on job sites. Safety is central to everything you do.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers earn a median of $109,910 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is strong. Employment is projected to grow 5 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than average for all occupations, with about 2,000 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Most positions require a high school diploma or equivalent. You will typically enter through a paid apprenticeship that combines on-the-job training with classroom instruction in mechanical systems, electrical work, and safety protocols. Apprenticeships usually last several years and cover the technical knowledge and hands-on skills you need. Some employers hire workers without prior experience and provide training. You may also start in a related trade like electrical work or general construction and transition into this specialty.
Apprenticeships are the main entry route, and they combine earning while you learn with structured classroom time. If you are weighing apprenticeship options or timing your next step, Pathly can map the elevator and escalator installer and repairer path that fits you and turn it into a step-by-step plan with your counselor in the loop.
You do not need a license to work as an elevator and escalator installer and repairer, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You like solving practical problems with your hands and mind. You pay close attention to detail, think critically about how systems work, and stay calm under pressure. You communicate clearly with team members and customers.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).