Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Vending Machine Technician
What vending machine technicians actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a vending machine technician?
Load the service van. From there, the day usually includes repair vending machines, fix payment readers, and service refrigeration. Full time, mostly days.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a vending machine technician working full time.
- Load the service van.
- Fix a jammed snack spiral.
- Replace a card reader.
- Diagnose a warm drink machine.
- Install a new micro market kiosk.
- Repair an arcade game.
- Log service calls.
Where vending machine technicians work
Technicians drive routes to offices, schools, arcades and factories.
Hours and schedule
Full time, mostly days.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Repair vending machines
- Fix payment readers
- Service refrigeration
- Install machines
- Update software
- Restock products
- Collect cash
Tools you’ll use every day
- Multimeters
- Hand tools
- Laptops
- Refrigerant gauges
- Hand trucks
- Route software
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Independent route work
- Short training
- Variety of machines
- No degree needed
What’s hard
- Lots of driving
- Lifting machines
- Slight decline
- Modest pay
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I like fixing machines
- I like driving routes
- I like working alone
- I can lift
- I want short training
- I like variety
Not sure? Take the free Vending Machine Technician fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Unplug before repairs
- Lift machines with help
- Secure cash
- Drive safely