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The differences between elevator mechanics and electricians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an elevator mechanic, becoming an electrician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an elevator mechanic has an average salary of $79,797, which is higher than the $48,850 average annual salary of an electrician.
The top three skills for an elevator mechanic include traction, switches and electric motors. The most important skills for an electrician are hand tools, electrical equipment, and run conduit.
An elevator mechanic specializes in installing and repairing elevators, ensuring efficiency and safety. They usually work with a team of other mechanics on an on-call basis, responding to emergencies such as malfunctions, which may involve rescuing people stuck at elevators. Their responsibilities also include understanding blueprints, replacing and assembling parts, investigating user complaints or feedback, and performing regular maintenance checks to ensure the quality of systems and safety of users. Furthermore, an elevator mechanic may also be in charge of installing and repairing escalators, dumbwaiters, chairlifts, and similar machinery.
An electrician is a skilled tradesman in charge of wirings and systems which provide electric power to a facility. They are trained to design, install, maintain, and troubleshoot electrical wiring systems. There are four basic types of an electrician - residential wiremen, inside wiremen, telecommunications electrician, and outside linemen. Some work on a standard 40-hour week shift while others are on-call duty. In some cases, traveling is also a vital key to their role where they would work for a few days before moving to another location.
Elevator mechanics and electricians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Elevator Mechanic | Electrician | |
| Average salary | $79,797 | $48,850 |
| Salary range | Between $55,000 And $115,000 | Between $32,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fairfield, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | City of Los Angeles | PBF Energy |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an elevator mechanic and an electrician in terms of educational background:
| Elevator Mechanic | Electrician | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | High School Diploma, 32% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering Technology | Electrical Engineering Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between elevator mechanics' and electricians' demographics:
| Elevator Mechanic | Electrician | |
| Average age | 45 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 98.0% Female, 2.0% | Male, 95.6% Female, 4.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 3.7% White, 68.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 2.2% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 3% |