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

What is an elevator service technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Elevator service technicians install and perform regular maintenance and repair on elevators, escalators, chairlifts, and moving sidewalks. They install various components of the elevator system. This includes the railings for the elevator car, its supporting motors and cables, electrical wiring, and microprocessors that power it. They respond to calls about malfunctioning equipment and emergencies. Likewise, they troubleshoot the machinery to diagnose and resolve the problem. Additionally, they inspect the wiring and parts for signs of wear. Asides from that, they test electrical systems to make sure the elevator unit is functioning properly.

Skills like technical abilities, troubleshooting, attention to safety, communication, record-keeping, teamwork, and time management are essential for success in this role. Licensing requirements vary by city and state. Having certifications is an added advantage. Employers require at least a high school diploma. Elevator service technicians are paid $74,501 on average yearly. Their salary falls between $60,901 and $90,901.

ScoreElevator Service TechnicianUS Average

Salary

3.7

Avg. Salary $46,851

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.4

Growth rate 8%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

7.2

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.75%

Asian 1.74%

Black or African American 5.46%

Hispanic or Latino 15.70%

Unknown 3.81%

White 72.53%

Gender

female 1.96%

male 98.04%

Age - 44

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 - 44

Stress level

6.4

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.4

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.8

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an elevator service technician

Explore elevator service technician education requirements

Most common elevator service technician degrees

High School Diploma

33.3 %

Bachelor's

27.8 %

Certificate

16.7 %

Start to develop specific elevator service technician skills

Skills	Percentages
Traction	63.85%
AC	36.15%

Complete relevant elevator service technician training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New elevator service technicians 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 service technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real elevator service technician resumes.

Research elevator service technician duties and responsibilities

Include regularly schedule maintenance, safety recalls, computerize alignments, electrical and on-board computer module diagnosis using Audi diagnostic software.
Complete preventative maintenance inspections on all Diebold equipment in the field and organize and update technical documentation for each site.

Prepare your elevator service technician resume

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

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Choose from 10+ customizable elevator service technician resume templates

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