Career comparison
Appliance Repair Technician vs. Vending Machine Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Appliance repair technicians earn more at the median ($50,990 vs. $47,450), while vending machine technicians usually get to work faster (A few weeks on the job of training). Appliance repair technicians fix washers, dryers, refrigerators and ovens in people’s homes. Vending machine technicians service and repair vending, kiosk and arcade machines on a route.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Appliance Repair Technician | Vending Machine Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $50,990 ($24.51/hr) | $47,450 ($22.81/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $36,190 – $80,660 | $34,320 – $66,370 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +1.9% (slower than average) | -3.4% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 2,800 | 3,800 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | A few months to a year | A few weeks on the job |
| Key credential | EPA 608 certification | EPA 608 |
| Work setting | Technicians work in customers’ homes and drive between calls.. | Technicians drive routes to offices, schools, arcades and factories.. |
What each job does
Appliance Repair Technician
- Diagnose appliance problems
- Replace parts
- Repair refrigeration systems
- Read wiring diagrams
- Install appliances
Vending Machine Technician
- Repair vending machines
- Fix payment readers
- Service refrigeration
- Install machines
- Update software
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, working independently, problem-solving, and travel. Both are part of the mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose appliance repair technician if…
- I like fixing things
- I like working on my own
- I like customers
Choose vending machine technician if…
- I like fixing machines
- I like driving routes
- I like working alone
Still torn? Take the Appliance Repair Technician fit quiz and the Vending Machine Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, appliance repair technician or vending machine technician?
Appliance Repair Technicians earn more at the median: $50,990 versus $47,450 for vending machine technicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Vending Machine Technicians typically train faster (A few weeks on the job) than appliance repair technicians (A few months to a year).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects appliance repair technicians to grow +1.9% from 2025–35, compared with -3.4% for vending machine technicians.