Elevator Constructor at Elevators Local 8 JATC
at Elevators Local 8 JATC in San Francisco, CA
About This Program
Elevators Local 8 JATC sponsors this union elevator constructor apprenticeship in San Francisco, CA. Affiliated with the International Union of Elevator Constructors, Local 8 operates one of the longer-standing elevator trade programs in the Bay Area, connecting apprentices with signatory employers working on some of the region's most demanding commercial and residential projects. Apprentices are paid from the first day of training.
The four-year program includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices develop skills in the installation, maintenance, and modernization of elevators, escalators, and other lifting equipment. Technical coursework covers electrical and mechanical principles, hydraulic and traction systems, ASME A17.1 code compliance, safety protocols, and technical drawing interpretation.
Graduates earn journeyman elevator constructor status upon completion. In a city defined by high-rise buildings and dense vertical infrastructure, skilled elevator constructors are consistently in demand. Local 8's San Francisco-based JATC program offers apprentices a well-defined path into a technical, well-compensated trade.
Wage & Training
Journeyman Wage
$47
OJT Hours
8,000
RTI Hours
576
Duration
4 years
Wage data is the national median for this occupation (BLS, May 2023), not specific to this program.
How to Apply
Elevator Constructor Career Outlook
National Median
$46.56/hr
~$96,844.8/yr
Apprentice Start
$25/hr
Earn while you learn
Job Outlook
Elevator constructor employment is projected to grow faster than average, driven by new high-rise construction, elevator modernization requirements, and building code changes mandating accessibility upgrades. The small size of the workforce relative to the installed base of equipment means strong job security. Aging elevator systems in major cities require ongoing modernization, creating sustained demand.
What to Expect as an Elevator Constructor Apprentice
Duration
4 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom instruction
On-the-Job Training
~40 hours/week of hands-on work under journeyman supervision (8,000 total hours)
Classroom Instruction
576 hours of related technical instruction (~144 hours/year)
Paid Training
You earn a wage from day one, starting at a percentage of the journeyman rate and increasing as you progress
Time-based program: You'll progress through the program based on completing a set number of hours in both on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
This is a union-affiliated program. Union apprenticeships typically offer strong benefits packages, pension contributions, and structured career advancement through the local hall.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Elevator Constructor
Apprenticeship
Trade School
Licensing in California
Elevator Constructors in California are required to hold a license. Licensing is issued by California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA), Elevator, Ride and Tramway Unit.
View full Californialicensing requirements →Reviews
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