Are you considering an elevator mechanic career? Elevator mechanics have some of the most interesting and rewarding jobs out there. As an elevator mechanic, you will work on sophisticated machines that keep people safe when they’re in high-rise buildings. You’ll be responsible for maintaining, repairing, and installing elevators and escalators—and helping to make sure that everyone reaches their destination safely.
In this blog post, we’ll dive into what a typical day looks like for an elevator mechanic—what qualifications you need to apply for such a job, how much money you can make, and what type of benefits you can expect. We’ve also included real-world examples of elevator mechanics so that you can better understand the job before applying.
What Does an Elevator Mechanic Do?
At its core, an elevator mechanic is responsible for inspecting, diagnosing, maintaining, and repairing complex mechanical systems that are found inside elevators and other vertical transportation equipment. There are several different types of elevators (e.g., hydraulic, traction), but generally speaking they all contain various electrical components (among other things). Therefore, being comfortable working with electricity is essential for any elevator mechanic job position.
Elevator mechanics may also install new equipment or upgrade existing systems as part of their responsibilities in order to ensure maximum safety compliance and efficiency. Additionally, elevator mechanics might be called upon to troubleshoot problems with the system or respond to emergency repair calls outside regular hours.
Potential Daily Task List for Elevator Mechanics Include:
- Inspect and diagnose elevator systems, including electric control systems, door mechanisms, hydraulics, and other components.
- Repair or replace worn or defective parts in order to restore the proper functioning of the system.
- Install new elevator systems according to manufacturer specifications and safety regulations.
- Respond to emergency repair calls as needed outside of regular business hours.
- Troubleshoot mechanical (e.g., cables), electrical (e.g., wiring), and structural (e.g., counterweight stability) issues with elevators and escalators to identify root causes of problems.
- Program electronic controls on elevators and escalators in order to ensure optimal performance according to company standards and safety regulations.
- Ensure that all maintenance activities are performed in accordance with safety guidelines and industry best practices as dictated by local laws, building codes, etc.
- Perform periodic maintenance checks such as lubrication of moving parts, cleaning machinery components, testing relays, breakers, switches, etc., in order to keep the system operating correctly and safely over time without needing major repair jobs down the road.
- Maintain accurate records of repairs completed as well as general safety logs related to each job site visited over the course duration employment contract so that any possible future issues can be identified quickly if the need arises later date.
Qualifications Needed to Become an Elevator Mechanic
All prospective candidates must meet certain qualifications to become an elevator mechanic. The first requirement is technical ability: You must understand the ins and outs of both electric systems as well as elevators, in general, to effectively diagnose and repair them when needed. Elevator mechanics are required to have a variety of skills across many trades: electrical, mechanical, machine and metal work, hydraulics, and even software all come into play.
The National Elevator Industry Education Program (NEIEP) frequently holds recruiting events for entering the elevator mechanic apprenticeship program. Visit https://www.neiep.org/Careers.aspx and https://www.neieprecruitment.org/ for information on locations and dates. At a minimum, you will need a high school degree or equivalent and you will need to understand the basics of tool identification, measurements, basic math, and electric knowledge. To increase your chances of a successful application, relevant trade experience in electrical engineering, HVAC, and/or a relevant technical degree is helpful. Veterans with relevant service experience can enter the apprenticeship program through a program called Helmets to Hard Hats. It is not necessary to have any elevator experience to get into the apprenticeship program!
Once you are in the NEIEP apprenticeship program and you get hired by an elevator company, you will gain hands-on education and training while earning a wage at the same time—so don’t let experience (or lack thereof) stop you from following your dreams!
The Working Environment of an Elevator Mechanic
The work environment of an elevator mechanic is typically diverse and ever-changing. As an elevator mechanic, you will often be working in high-rise buildings, commercial facilities, and residential homes. You may be required to climb heights, if needed, to inspect or service elevators, as well as crawling into tight spaces for maintenance checkups and repairs. At times there might also be some exposure to hazardous chemicals when performing lubrication tasks on machinery components. The top reason that apprentices drop out of the elevator industry is that they don’t like working at heights. So if you are afraid of heights, an elevator mechanic is not the right job for you!
When it comes to hours, most full-time elevator mechanics will work around 40 hours a week and may also be asked to provide services during weekends or after-hours if needed (although overtime pay is usually provided). In some cases, these contracts might require travel or staying out of town overnight depending on client and employer requirements!
That said the most important thing that all prospective employees should remember is safety – whether this means wearing proper protective gear while at job sites or simply making sure your tools are always up-to-date; following safety protocols is essential for minimizing risk both personally and professionally.
Elevator Mechanic Jobs: How Much Money Can You Make Working?
The salary range for elevator mechanics depends largely on experience level and geographic location; however, according to U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics Statistics data from 2021, the median annual wage was $97 860 nationally – which works out at about $47.05 per hour on average! That said depending on where exactly one works this could change quite drastically (for example if someone were employed in Alaska their salary prospects would be significantly higher than those who live down south).
Benefits of Working as an Elevator Mechanic
As mentioned above one major benefit (aside from financial rewards) is knowledge gained – many people start off without any formal qualifications but end up mastering incredibly complicated systems within a few years thanks to close supervision/mentorship by more experienced individuals within their field!
Another advantage often overlooked by potential employees stems from the fact that these positions generally require lots of traveling – allowing workers who enjoy exploring various locations around the world to become quite successful professionally too! Plus, most full-time contracts come equipped with health insurance packages meaning it’s possible not only to grow personally but financially too–which makes job security increasingly achievable over time!
Conclusion
At Murphy Elevator, safety is always the top priority. With a commitment to providing reliable service and exceptional customer care, there’s no doubt why Murphy Elevator has become one of the most trusted elevator providers in the Midwest. If you’re looking for a career in elevator maintenance or installation, consider applying at https://www.neiep.org/Careers.aspx and https://www.neieprecruitment.org/.
You can also reach out to your local International Union of Elevator Constructors office to find out more information. And if you’re simply curious about what this line of work has to offer, take a look at the company’s website—you may be surprised by what you find!
