San Francisco's aging infrastructure is creating a surge in demand for skilled tradespeople, particularly in elevator and escalator installation and repair, offering lucrative salaries that can reach $130,000 annually. This trend emerges as concerns grow about artificial intelligence potentially displacing white-collar jobs, pushing more graduates towards hands-on professions for career stability.
Elevator and escalator installers and repairers are among the highest-paid blue-collar workers in the Bay Area, with annual earnings reported between $109,820 and $130,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This demand is driven by the city's infrastructure, much of which dates back over a century, requiring constant maintenance and repair for elements like aging elevators and escalators.
Greg Hardeman, with the local union for elevator constructors, IUEC, highlighted the long history of elevators in San Francisco, noting that the profession has been essential for over 130 years. He described the work as comprehensive, involving tasks such as welding brackets, pulling wires, and aligning tracks, stating, "We’re almost like the SEAL Team 6 of the trades because we do everything, everywhere."
The union has experienced a significant increase in applications for its apprenticeship program. Hardeman mentioned that they received 750 applications for a limited number of spots, which were filled in under a minute. The program requires a high school diploma and typically takes four to five years to complete, leading to certification.
Mike Moore, a veteran elevator technician and instructor, emphasized the value of skilled trades in contrast to remote work that can be outsourced. "If your elevator breaks down, they’re not going to outsource a broken elevator to India," Moore stated, underscoring the need for in-person expertise for critical repairs. Currently, Northern California has 1,400 elevator technicians, with only two trade schools in the state dedicated to these specialized jobs.