Elevator Constructor at Oregon Sw-Wa Elevator Industry JATC
at Oregon Sw-Wa Elevator Industry JATC in Portland, OR
About This Program
The Oregon SW-WA Elevator Industry JATC offers a union Elevator Constructor apprenticeship based in Portland, OR. Administered through the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, this program combines hands-on field experience with structured classroom instruction, preparing apprentices for one of the construction industry's most specialized skilled trades. Apprentices are paid throughout the entire program.
This time-based apprenticeship runs four years and includes 8,000 hours of on-the-job training alongside 576 hours of related technical instruction. On the job, apprentices learn to install, maintain, repair, and modernize elevators, escalators, and other vertical transportation systems. Classroom instruction covers electrical theory, hydraulics, mechanical systems, safety codes, and blueprint reading.
Upon completing the program, graduates earn journeyman status as Elevator Constructors — a highly skilled trade recognized for strong wages and consistent demand in commercial and residential construction. The union affiliation through the JATC provides apprentices with additional protections, benefits, and a clear path to long-term career advancement in the elevator industry.
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.
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 Oregon
Elevator Constructors in Oregon are required to hold a license. Licensing is issued by Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, Building Codes Division, Elevator Safety Program.
View full Oregonlicensing requirements →Reviews
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