How To Become An Elevator Operator: What It Is and Career Path

What is an elevator operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Although most modern elevators are easily operated by individual riders, some older buildings and luxurious high rises for hotels, apartments, and offices still employ elevator operators. These individuals operate the elevator by requesting floor destinations, stopping the elevator at the required floor, and informing riders of arrival.

In many instances, they may also offer amenities such as candles or newspapers. The job is fairly straightforward as the operator is expected to announce the elevator direction at each stop, warmly greet new riders and request floor destinations.

Upon arrival at each floor, they announce and inform the riders and also open and close the safety gates, and provides information to the passenger. Further duties may include distributing mail, answering the telephone, preventing unauthorized persons from entering the building, and assisting other employees in loading/unloading the freight.

In many cases, they are expected to wear uniforms specific to the job, and no formal education is required for this position. Basic job requirements include capability and a friendly personality.

The average salary for this position is $15.51 an hour, which amounts to $32,256 annually.

ScoreElevator OperatorUS Average

Salary

2.9

Avg. Salary $36,944

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.9

Growth rate 7%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

7.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.79%

Asian 0.79%

Black or African American 6.72%

Hispanic or Latino 13.83%

Unknown 4.35%

White 73.52%

Gender

female 18.23%

male 81.77%

Age - 39

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39

Stress level

5.9

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.0

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

3.7

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an elevator operator

Explore elevator operator education requirements

Most common elevator operator degrees

High School Diploma

44.9 %

Bachelor's

20.9 %

Associate

18.8 %

Start to develop specific elevator operator skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	17.25%
Harvest	15.89%
Governmental Regulations	10.02%
General Appearance	7.79%
Grain Elevator	7.41%

Complete relevant elevator operator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New elevator operators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an elevator operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real elevator operator resumes.

Research elevator operator duties and responsibilities

Evaluate, run and dry grain including inventory and tracking.
Operate a harvest shuttle elevator at the start of the almond season
Cross training has been provide for operating a diesel locomotive and bobcat.
Maintain cleanliness to work environment by sweeping, mopping and wiping down surfaces.

Prepare your elevator operator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your elevator operator resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an elevator operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable elevator operator resume templates

Build a professional elevator operator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your elevator operator resume.