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Vending Machine Technician
Also called: Vending Repair Technician · Amusement Machine Technician · Coin Machine Servicer · Arcade Technician
What vending machine technicians do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a vending machine technician do?
Coin, vending and amusement machine servicers and repairers install, service, adjust or repair coin, vending or amusement machines including video games, jukeboxes and kiosks. The median pay is $47,450 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few weeks on the job, and employment is projected to grow -3.4% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$47,450$22.81/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-3.4%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year3,800Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA few weeks on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs34,700Employment, 2025
What vending machine technicians do
Vending machine technicians keep machines working and stocked. They repair coin and card readers, refrigeration, dispensing mechanisms and electronics, install new machines, update software and sometimes restock products on a route.
A high school diploma and short training are typical. BLS projects a slight decline.
Typical duties
- Repair vending machines
- Fix payment readers
- Service refrigeration
- Install machines
- Update software
- Restock products
- Collect cash
Work environment and schedule
Technicians drive routes to offices, schools, arcades and factories.
Schedule: Full time, mostly days.
A day in the life
- Load the service van.
- Fix a jammed snack spiral.
- Replace a card reader.
- Diagnose a warm drink machine.
See a full day in the life of a vending machine technician →
Vending Machine Technician salary
Half of vending machine technicians earned more than $47,450 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $34,320 for the lowest 10% to $66,370 for the top 10%.
Full vending machine technician pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a vending machine technician
- Finish high school
- Get a clean driving record
- Get hired
- Learn machines
- Advance
A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a vending machine technician →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Electrical troubleshooting
- Refrigeration basics
- Payment systems
- Mechanical repair
- Software updates
People skills
- Reliability
- Customer service
- Problem-solving
- Time management
All vending machine technician skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Independent route work
- Short training
- Variety of machines
- No degree needed
Cons
- Lots of driving
- Lifting machines
- Slight decline
- Modest pay
Certifications and licenses
- EPA 608: For refrigeration.
- Manufacturer training: Machine brands.
- Driver’s license: Required.
- Electronics course: Helpful.
Career path
- Route Technician: Entry.
- Service Technician: Repair.
- Lead Technician: Complex repairs.
- Service Manager: Run service.
Learn the job before day one
Our Vending Machine Technician training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as clear a jammed snack machine and replace a card reader, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Vending Machine Technician vs. Appliance Repair Technician · Vending Machine Technician vs. Industrial Electronics Repairer · Vending Machine Technician vs. Delivery Driver · Vending Machine Technician vs. Maintenance Helper
Vending Machine Technician FAQ
Do I need a degree?
No.
Is driving required?
Yes, usually a route.
Is the job growing?
BLS projects slight decline.
How much does a vending machine technician make?
The median annual wage for vending machine technicians was $47,450 ($22.81 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $34,320 and the highest 10% earned more than $66,370.
How long does it take to become a vending machine technician?
Most people need about A few weeks on the job of training. A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.
Do you need a degree to be a vending machine technician?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.
More vending machine technician questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 49-9091 (Coin, vending, and amusement machine servicers and repairers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Coin, vending, and amusement machine servicers and repairers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.