Career comparison
Industrial Electronics Repairer vs. Vending Machine Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Industrial electronics repairers earn more at the median ($74,090 vs. $47,450), while vending machine technicians usually get to work faster (A few weeks on the job of training). Industrial electronics repairers repair the electronic controls that run industrial machines. 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
| Industrial Electronics Repairer | Vending Machine Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $74,090 ($35.62/hr) | $47,450 ($22.81/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $46,840 – $105,590 | $34,320 – $66,370 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +0.3% (little or no change) | -3.4% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 4,700 | 3,800 |
| Typical entry education | Postsecondary nondegree award | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | Training program plus a year or more on the job | A few weeks on the job |
| Key credential | ETA Certified Electronics Technician | EPA 608 |
| Work setting | Repairers work in factories, repair shops and field service.. | Technicians drive routes to offices, schools, arcades and factories.. |
What each job does
Industrial Electronics Repairer
- Troubleshoot control systems
- Repair circuit boards
- Replace components
- Test PLCs and drives
- Calibrate equipment
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, problem-solving, and working independently. Both are part of the mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose industrial electronics repairer if…
- I like electronics
- I solve logic puzzles
- I stay calm when lines are down
Choose vending machine technician if…
- I like fixing machines
- I like driving routes
- I like working alone
Still torn? Take the Industrial Electronics Repairer fit quiz and the Vending Machine Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, industrial electronics repairer or vending machine technician?
Industrial Electronics Repairers earn more at the median: $74,090 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 industrial electronics repairers (Training program plus a year or more on the job).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects industrial electronics repairers to grow +0.3% from 2025–35, compared with -3.4% for vending machine technicians.