Elevator and escalator installers and repairers
SOC Code: 47-4021
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers carries a 29% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $106,580 and +5.0% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 24,200 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 29% AI exposure, Elevator and escalator installers and repairers sits 8 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 27% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Elevator and escalator installers and repairers sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers has ai exposure of 29%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers (SOC 47-4021) carries an AI exposure score of 29%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 24,200 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +5.0% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $106,580, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Elevator and escalator installers and repairers. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Registered Apprenticeship Pathway Available
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers is a recognized registered apprenticeship occupation under the DOL RAPIDS system. Earn while you train, apprentices typically start at ~$16/hr and reach $28–$46/hr upon completion, depending on the specific trade and region.
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Inspect wiring connections, control panel hookups, door installations, and alignments and clearances of cars and hoistways to ensure that equipment will operate properly.
- 2. Assemble, install, repair, and maintain elevators, escalators, moving sidewalks, and dumbwaiters, using hand and power tools, and testing devices such as test lamps, ammeters, and voltmeters.
- 3. Disassemble defective units, and repair or replace parts such as locks, gears, cables, and electric wiring.
- 4. Check that safety regulations and building codes are met, and complete service reports verifying conformance to standards.
- 5. Assemble elevator cars, installing each car's platform, walls, and doors.
- 6. Locate malfunctions in brakes, motors, switches, and signal and control systems, using test equipment.
- 7. Bolt or weld steel rails to the walls of shafts to guide elevators, working from scaffolding or platforms.
- 8. Adjust safety controls, counterweights, door mechanisms, and components such as valves, ratchets, seals, and brake linings.
- 9. Read and interpret blueprints to determine the layout of system components, frameworks, and foundations, and to select installation equipment.
- 10. Connect car frames to counterweights, using steel cables.
Key Skills Required
- Equipment Maintenance
- Troubleshooting
- Repairing
- Critical Thinking
- Operations Monitoring
- Installation
- Quality Control Analysis
- Active Listening
- Complex Problem Solving
- Equipment Selection
Knowledge Areas
- Mechanical
- Customer and Personal Service
- Building and Construction
- Public Safety and Security
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- Engineering and Technology
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Design
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Elevator and escalator installers and repairers?
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers has an AI exposure score of 29%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Elevator and escalator installers and repairers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Elevator and escalator installers and repairers is projected to grow by 5.0% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 24,200 workers.
What skills are needed for Elevator and escalator installers and repairers?
Key skills for Elevator and escalator installers and repairers include Equipment Maintenance, Troubleshooting, Repairing, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Elevator and escalator installers and repairers earn?
The median annual wage for Elevator and escalator installers and repairers is $106,580, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Elevator and escalator installers and repairers?
The typical entry-level education for Elevator and escalator installers and repairers is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Apprenticeship. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Elevator and escalator installers and repairers?
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
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Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).