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Workers learn the trade through 4 years of on-the-job training and classroom instruction. Job opportunities are expected to be limited in this small occupation; prospects should be best for those with postsecondary education in electronics. Elevator installers and repairers lose less worktime due to inclement weather than do other construction trades workers.
Elevator installers and repairers combine electrical and mechanical skills with construction skills, such as welding, rigging, measuring, and blueprint reading. Other occupations that require many of these skills are boilermakers; electricians; electrical and electronics installers and repairers; industrial machinery installation, repair, and maintenance workers; sheet metal workers; and structural and reinforcing iron and metal workers.
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Most elevator installers and repairers work a 40-hour week. However, overtime is required when essential elevator equipment must be repaired, and some workers are on 24-hour call. Unlike most elevator installers, workers who specialize in elevator maintenance are on their own most of the day and typically service the same elevators periodically.
Elevator installers lift and carry heavy equipment and parts, and may work in cramped spaces or awkward positions. Potential hazards include falls, electrical shock, muscle strains, and other injuries related to handling heavy equipment. Because most of their work is performed indoors in buildings under construction or in existing buildings, elevator installers and repairers lose less worktime due to inclement weather than do other construction trades workers.
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Elevator installers and repairers held about 21,000 jobs in 2002. Most were employed by special trade contractors. Others were employed by field offices of elevator manufacturers, wholesale distributors, small-elevator maintenance and repair contractors, government agencies, or businesses that do their own elevator maintenance and repair.
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Median hourly earnings of elevator installers and repairers were $25.99 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $20.08 and $31.72. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $14.60, and the top 10 percent earned more than $36.81. In 2002, median hourly earnings in the miscellaneous special trade contractors industry were $26.62. In addition to free continuing education, elevator installers and repairers receive basic benefits enjoyed by most other workers.
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China has a large employee base in elevator installation and modernization. The Shanghai Xinda Elevator Engineering Company has approximately 478 employees including engineering and technical personnel. There are 62 middle-level and senior professionals. The working hours can be up to 60 hours per week. The long hours are a consequence of a large population and low salary reates.
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