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What does an installer apprentice do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

An elevator installer apprentice is a trainee who trains under a skilled elevator installer to install, fix, and maintain elevators, escalators, and other lifts. Elevator installer apprentices must assist in assembling elevator cars as well as connecting electrical wiring to control panels and electric motors. They are required to test installed equipment to ensure that it meets specifications and standards. Elevator installer apprentices must also conduct preventive maintenance and inspections of elevators on a scheduled basis to ensure compliance with safety regulations and building codes.

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Installer apprentice responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real installer apprentice resumes:

  • Position electric motor and equipment on top of elevator shaft, using hoists and cable slings
  • Raise and move heavy machinery and equipment, using hoists, dollies, rollers, wire rope and cable slings.
  • Test and run system 1 ton - 20 ton.
  • Repair wiring, plumbing, equipment, and machinery.
  • Change elevator call, floor, tire, and switches.
  • Install fencing products for customers, including wood, chain link, and PVC.
  • Fabricate jigs for welding of door frames and gates prior to woodwork or paint.
  • Install evaporators, condenser units, and also run refrigeration line sets for buildings.
  • Apply texture surfaces to walls and ceilings with trowels, brushes, or spray guns.
  • Clean vehicles, file paperwork, contracts with customers, installing GPS, transactions, counting draws.
  • Mount shelves, cabinets, drawers, GPS, alarms, backup cameras and roof racks on vehicles.
  • Install and bend all types of conduit for commercial and industrial applications including EMT, IMC, and GRC.
  • Perform preventative maintenance on commercial and residential HVAC units.
  • Specialize in construction and installation of hydraulic and traction elevators.
  • Prepare installation estimates using ADT guidelines or supervisor directions.

Installer apprentice skills and personality traits

We calculated that 22% of Installer Apprentices are proficient in HVAC, Plumbing, and Hand Tools. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Time-management skills, and Math skills.

We break down the percentage of Installer Apprentices that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • HVAC, 22%

    Assisted the Service Technicians with cleaning the coils on the HVAC - R units using a cleaning chemical and fin scraper.

  • Plumbing, 10%

    Job Description: Install boilers/furnaces; Inspect and repair all plumbing and heating lines.

  • Hand Tools, 9%

    Install horizontal and vertical metal or wooden studs for attachment of wallboard on interior walls, using hand tools.

  • Ladders, 8%

    Set ladders, scaffolds and hoists in place for taking supplies to roofs.

  • Tape Measure, 7%

    Installed hardwood floors, drywall, electrical wiring, and plumbing-Safety, Power Tools, Tape Measures

  • OSHA, 6%

    Designed, prepared and estimated cost on construction surveys to OSHA and employers requirements.

Common skills that an installer apprentice uses to do their job include "hvac," "plumbing," and "hand tools." You can find details on the most important installer apprentice responsibilities below.

Customer-service skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an installer apprentice to have is customer-service skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "hvacr technicians often work in customers’ homes or business offices, so it is important that they be friendly, polite, and punctual." Installer apprentices often use customer-service skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "install and run pvc drainage systems from unit to outside of building or customers' home. "

Time-management skills. Many installer apprentice duties rely on time-management skills. "hvacr technicians frequently have a set number of daily maintenance calls," so an installer apprentice will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways installer apprentice responsibilities rely on time-management skills: "key holder to store provide all customers with excellent customer service delivery is always on time (no exceptions)"

Math skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of installer apprentices is math skills. This skill is critical to many everyday installer apprentice duties, as "hvacr technicians need to calculate the correct load requirements to ensure that the hvacr equipment properly heats or cools the space required." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "applied mathematics for precise manufacturing, often to military specifications. "

Detail oriented. A big part of what installer apprentices do relies on "detail oriented." You can see how essential it is to installer apprentice responsibilities because "hvacr technicians must carefully maintain records of all work performed." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical installer apprentice tasks: "well oriented in customer service, top seller every month. "

See the full list of installer apprentice skills

The three companies that hire the most installer apprentices are:

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Compare different installer apprentices

Installer apprentice vs. Lead hvac technician

HVAC-R Technicians are responsible for the repair, maintenance, and installation of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC-R) systems. Their duties include repairing, maintaining, and installing HVAC-R equipment and systems, inspect equipment maintenance risks, diagnose mechanical and electrical faults, adjusting and cleaning systems, and carrying out warranty services. They maintain accurate maintenance records, assist with customer inquiries, give technical direction, provide mentorship to the junior technicians as well as ensure work complies with service, appliance, and safety standards.

If we compare the average installer apprentice annual salary with that of a lead hvac technician, we find that lead hvac technicians typically earn a $13,632 higher salary than installer apprentices make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both installer apprentice and lead hvac technician positions are skilled in plumbing, hand tools, and osha.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, installer apprentice responsibilities require skills like "hvac," "ladders," "tape measure," and "air-conditioning systems." Meanwhile a typical lead hvac technician has skills in areas such as "ventilation," "preventive maintenance," "routine maintenance," and "hot water." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Lead hvac technicians earn the highest salaries when working in the health care industry, with an average yearly salary of $62,126. On the other hand, installer apprentices are paid more in the transportation industry with an average salary of $40,246.lead hvac technicians tend to reach similar levels of education than installer apprentices. In fact, lead hvac technicians are 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.0% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Installer apprentice vs. Hvac-r technician

An HVAC technician is qualified personnel who installs and repairs air-conditioning and refrigeration systems that control the temperature and air quality in both residential and commercial buildings. A technician's job may include repairing of pipe that is leaking, replacing a defective mechanical part, or adjust equipment setting for better performance. However, an HVAC technician must follow government regulations and local HVAC codes and should take the licensure examination. Some HVAC technicians are working for contractors, while others are self-employed.

A career as a hvac-r technician brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of an installer apprentice. In fact, hvac-r technicians salary is $15,847 higher than the salary of installer apprentices per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Installer apprentices and hvac-r technicians both require similar skills like "plumbing," "hand tools," and "ladders" to carry out their responsibilities.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real installer apprentice resumes. While installer apprentice responsibilities can utilize skills like "hvac," "tape measure," "air-conditioning systems," and "drill holes," hvac-r technicians use skills like "hvac/r," "ventilation," "refrigeration equipment," and "strong customer service."

On average, hvac-r technicians earn a higher salary than installer apprentices. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, hvac-r technicians earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $64,016. Whereas installer apprentices have higher pay in the transportation industry, with an average salary of $40,246.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Hvac-r technicians tend to reach similar levels of education than installer apprentices. In fact, they're 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Installer apprentice vs. Hvac technician

An average hvac technician eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of installer apprentices. The difference in salaries amounts to hvac technicians earning a $16,989 higher average salary than installer apprentices.installer apprentices and hvac technicians both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "hvac," "plumbing," and "hand tools," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from installer apprentice resumes include skills like "tape measure," "drill holes," "cctv," and "fire alarms," whereas a hvac technician is more likely to list skills in "customer service," "preventative maintenance," "ventilation," and "boilers. "

Hvac technicians earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $58,260. Comparatively, installer apprentices have the highest earning potential in the transportation industry, with an average salary of $40,246.hvac technicians typically earn similar educational levels compared to installer apprentices. Specifically, they're 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Installer apprentice vs. Air-conditioning mechanic

Air-conditioning mechanics average a higher salary than the annual salary of installer apprentices. The difference is about $7,345 per year.While their salaries may vary, installer apprentices and air-conditioning mechanics both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "plumbing," "hand tools," and "ladders. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. An installer apprentice uses "hvac," "tape measure," "osha," and "customer satisfaction." Air-conditioning mechanics are more likely to have duties that require skills in "ventilation," "preventative maintenance," "ice machines," and "control systems. "The health care industry tends to pay the highest salaries for air-conditioning mechanics, with average annual pay of $54,871. Comparatively, the highest installer apprentice annual salary comes from the transportation industry.air-conditioning mechanics reach similar levels of education compared to installer apprentices, in general. The difference is that they're 1.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of installer apprentice

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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