Home Forums Introduction Welcome to Elevator Trader A question from a Newb

Hey guys!

I'm glad to see that this forum exists!

I'm interested in being an elevator technician, because I really like machines! Building, troubleshooting and repairing machines seem to be what I'm really good at in life! So, I did a some career searching and came to the conclusion that I would both make a really good elevator tech and hopefully enjoy it for the rest of my life.

So as you can imagine I've been asking around, trying to learn as much about it as possible. What is it really like? Does it have a long term future? How do I become an elevator tech? If I become an elevator tech... how do I become one of the best? How can I be truly successful in this field?

I've heard everything ranging from "It's the perfect job for you" to "My uncle is an elevator tech. The business isn't doing that well and they are desperately looking for a reason to get rid of him to replace him with a less experienced cheaper tech".

What is this field really like? How can I figure out if it is right for me?

If it is right for me, what is the fastest way to start actually doing it?

Thanks in advance for your help and advice!

Well CH,

Lets start with the basics...
Find your local union hall and make an appointment to meet with someone. When you show up plan on making the best possible first impression you can. If you have a resume? Make sure it's up to date, not folded, and clean!

Make a list of questions (salary, benefits). Most importantly ask about the education program. And how long it takes to complete.

After you meet with someone from the hall send them a thank you letter.

This will be a good place for you to get started.

Best of luck,

Thanks for the info and suggestions!

I have done a good bit of research already. I already know that there is a 4 year apprenticeship program. You work as an apprentice and take college classes a few nights a week. After 4 years you become a certified elevator technician (In North Carolina ) .

I know how to get the certs and I believe that I can get the job.

The question that I'm really searching out here is simply this:

Do I really WANT the job?
What is it really like? Is this a good career?

How many hours do elevator techs work on average?
How many days a year off do they get?
How well are they paid in the long run?
How stressful is the job?
Do they have to travel a lot?

Is it possible to work part time as an elevator tech, or it is full time/over time or nothing?

Do most techs work for companies as regular employees, or are most of them sub contractors who are on call? If so... who is it that calls?

I'm really just hoping to hear some stories from actual elevator techs to see what their every day life as an elevator tech is like ( both pros and cons ).

I'm trying to decide if I should go all in and do this as a career, or if I should be looking at something else.

Hmm re-reading your response raises another question:

Are most elevator tech's Union workers?

All of the above is dependent on where in the world are you looking to start. China?, US?, Europe?..You get the idea. Every location is different.

If in North America, most jobs are Union and you would have to check with the local about employment opprutunities.

CH

This is what I found on google!

http://www1.salary.com/NC/Greensboro/Elevator-Installer-Repairer-salary.html

http://iueclocal135.fatcow.com/Index/img/index_files/Index.html

Ask your self this question.
How many school teachers do you know?
How many nurses or HVAC or carpenters?

Now ask your self how many elevator mechanics do you know?

Now look at the number of members on this forum!

Now I'm not taking anything away from the NAEC and their CET education program. But there is another that has been around longer and has educated thousands of elevator professionals. Scratch the surface harder!

http://www.neiep.org/ElevatorConstructorApprenticeFAQ.aspx

I'm glad you have an interest in this industry. And I'm not sure i understand your post about how many hours tech work on average? But if you really want to be great or to use your words "how do I become the best" "how can I be truly successful in this field".

Then do the work! Hours paid and hours not paid! The people who excel in their field will find the rewards over the time they applied themselves of a career they built!

I can answer a few of these questions. I work 40 hrs a week as a resident mechanic. I also take care of most of the escalators our office has that are on overtime maintenance. That's 25 units I get 6 hours per quarter per unit. I also have 6 freights that have overtime maintenance on them also, which is 3 hours per unit per month. I also take duty every other Tuesday Wends and Thurs, and most weekend. I work more overtime then anyone else in my office. So if you want overtime its out there but most guys are happy with there 40hr a week job.
I get most weekends off, I get 8 paid holidays a year.
I went the union route which I love. Whats great is everyone you work with started from the bottom. Everyone was a %50 at one time. No one gets to be a mechanic cause of who they know or who their daddy is. I got taught by quality mechanic which led me into service and troubleshooting end of the job.
Elevator men do not retire poor. We have great benefits.
The job is stressful but like anything more experience you have and the more you know You learn to handle the stress in more effective ways. Some guys travel but I don't.

And no there is no part timers. Its either all or nothing.

I like your answer,
i am the owner of small company (12 employes) in Belgrade, Serbia, Europa, and i work almost 350 days a year, 8-10 hours per day, beside this i love my job and i will not change it for any other job

We wrote a post about this on our blog. You can read it here. https://www.fieldboss.com/blog/its-a-good-time-to-be-an-elevator-mechanic/.

First off, we're called elevator mechanics not techs. Techs is what not elevator men say.

Secondly. What you said about your uncle, unheard of in the last ten years. There is a huge shortage of manpower in this trade and every company is desperate to hire mechanics. Very very good job security. Took zero reduction in hours or pay through covid. We are "essential employees" and due to the physical aspect of our job will never be replaced by robots or AI. Very high possibility your uncles not good. The only guys having a hard time are the ones with showing up on time problems or can't do their job problems.

Do not fall into the union only trap. Yes the unions good. Has lots of benefits. But drawbacks as well. Around here (virginia) most union companies, especially the big 4, have a reputation for ridiculous on call callbacks. Basically spending your weekend running calls when its your weekend to be on call. Its also harder to get started as an apprentice. If you can find a non union shop to work for that is going to put you in the CET program (4 year schooling/apprenticeship program) your good. Once your a mechanic going union if you want is easy. The union is always looking to steal mechanics from no union shops to hurt them and help themselves. Think of us as the NFL. Im under no long contract. A different team makes a better offer its common for mechanics to go wear a different companies shirt.

Also some benefits you might find at non union companies. I work 4 tens and am off 3 days a week and all of my travel time is paid both ways. From time I leave my driveway to time I get home is 10 hours. Sure union has better health insurance but id be loosing so much time from my family driving and working more. You have to decide what's best. Maybe decide where you can get a job quickest to start and switch companies later. Sitting on the union waiting list for 2 years ain't helping you. But if you can get right in thats great. I've also seen the union hall from DC poach multiple apprentices from non union shops.

I typically work 40-42 hours a week. Off every weekend. On call every 7th weekend. I never work overtime doing maintenance or any of that crap. This trade you can work 40 or a little over if you want. Or work yourself to death volunteering for stuff extra. I personally would not even humor being asked to work on a weekend or overtime maintenance etc. Just me, i value my timr with family alot. To me this job funds my life, it is not my life. Tons of opportunities though.


You must be your own advocate and decide if you want to be an overtime whore or have respect for yourself and tell the office no im not taking that call, my days over. Every company will push for more if you let them. Its the nature of an office.

It is an amazing and fun job though. If you dont mind being on time, working hard, dealing with hot/cold/dark, you can enjoy a fun job. I did construction/maintenance/service. Im an adjuster now just mainly running service calls and I love it. Its never ever boring. Always something new. Your always learning more. I enjoy the moment I figure out what the problem is and fix it. I like leaving buildings with things better than I found them. Inspections are fun I think. Its a good mix of challenging with reward of getting it done.


Negotiate before your hired and set clear expectations! Talk to the company about what you want and are not willing to do. Expect at least 2 weeks vacation to start.

Oh and customers call your companies answering service who then calls you and then you gotta leave and go there to fix their elevator. On call is a set schedule of who that mechanic is. DEFINITELY talk to mechanics and find out what a companies on call is actually like before going to a company (as a mechanic, makes no difference as a helper).

Also its more about benefits nowadays to go union or not. Im making more per hour dollar wise than the union MIC scale is here. Not uncommon for non union shops to be competitive with pay. Im really trying to tell you dont settle on either option as the only way. Go through the options in your area talk to them and try to get the job best suited to you. We all have our opinions but only you can decide what's best.

I don't find it very stressful at all. Once you know what your doing your just making a box go up and down. People are the pita. But you learn to shrug them off and not let people stress you out. Customers (rude or annoying) dont phase me anymore.

I get 10 paid holidays plus 5 weeks paid vacation.

Like I said very well paid. My wife stays at home and keeps the house up so we can have fun on the weekend. There's a reason we have a reputation in the trades of being the highest paid.

I say absolutely get in the trade. If you end up hating it you can go get a job anywhere. You'll have the skills of an electrician, sprinkler guy (running pipe), iron worker, carpenter. Pretty much every trade is wrapped up into one high octane moving parts trade called elevators.