‍

Introduction

Every time you grab a soda from a vending machine, cash out your change at a coin machine, or play an arcade game, you’re relying on the work of coin, vending, and amusement machine servicers and repairers.

These technicians are the behind-the-scenes pros who keep machines stocked, functioning, and profitable. It’s a role that blends mechanical repair, electronics troubleshooting, and customer service, with a dash of logistics and route management.

If you enjoy variety, independence, and hands-on problem-solving, this could be a solid and flexible career path.

What Do Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Repairers Do?

The day-to-day duties cover installation, service, and stocking:

• Install new machines in businesses, arcades, or public spaces.
• Diagnose and repair malfunctions, whether mechanical jams, electrical issues, or software glitches.
• Restock vending machines with food, drinks, or products.
• Collect money and maintain payment systems (cash, coin, or card readers).
• Clean and maintain equipment for smooth operation.
• Work with customers (business owners, arcade operators) to ensure satisfaction.

This job is part technician, part route driver, and part customer relationship manager.

Skills You’ll Need

To thrive in this career, you’ll need a mix of technical ability and reliability:

• Mechanical aptitude – Comfort with gears, motors, and moving parts.
• Electronics knowledge – Troubleshooting payment systems and circuit boards.
• Problem-solving ability – Every jam or malfunction is a puzzle.
• Customer service – Interacting with business owners and clients.
• Physical stamina – Stocking, lifting, and transporting products.
• Dependability – Machine downtime means lost revenue.

Education & Training

This career has one of the most accessible entry points:

1. High school diploma or GED – Typically sufficient.
2. On-the-job training – Most learn by shadowing experienced repairers.
3. Vocational courses – Helpful for electronics and mechanical basics.
4. Optional certifications – Training in electronics, refrigeration, or card reader systems can boost career options.

No formal licensing is required, which makes this a relatively fast-entry trade.

Salary & Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

• Median annual salary: About $39,930 (2023 data).
• Top 10% earners: Over $57,000/year.
• Hourly wage: Roughly $19/hour.

Job outlook:

• Employment is expected to grow modestly, around 2–3% from 2022–2032.
• Demand depends on trends in vending machines, payment technology, and arcade/amusement equipment.
• The shift to cashless payment systems creates opportunities for tech-savvy repairers.

Work Settings

These professionals often work independently and travel regularly:

• Vending machine operators – Companies that own and manage fleets of machines.
• Arcades and amusement centers – Maintaining gaming machines.
• Casinos and entertainment venues – Servicing coin-operated games or kiosks.
• Independent contractors – Running your own repair and vending business.

The work often involves being on the road, with routes that cover multiple sites daily.

Career Growth Opportunities

This role provides both career stability and entrepreneurial potential:

• Senior technician – Overseeing machine installation and advanced repairs.
• Route supervisor – Managing multiple servicers and territories.
• Business ownership – Running your own vending or amusement machine company.
• Specialization – Focusing on casino machines, arcade systems, or advanced payment technologies.
• Transition to related fields – Such as ATM servicing or kiosk repair.

Would You Actually Like It?

This is a great career for people who enjoy independence, variety, and hands-on technical work. But it can be physically demanding and sometimes repetitive.

You’ll probably enjoy it if you:
✅ Like fixing things and solving small mechanical/electrical problems.
✅ Want a career with independence and travel.
✅ Don’t mind physical work and restocking.
✅ Enjoy customer service and maintaining relationships.

You might not enjoy it if you:
❌ Prefer a desk job or stationary work.
❌ Dislike repetitive routes and stocking duties.
❌ Don’t want to handle cash collections or vending inventory.

My MAPP Fit

Here’s where the MAPP Career Assessment is valuable.

Vending and amusement repairers often align with MAPP profiles emphasizing dependability, problem-solving, and technical skill. If your results show motivation for independence, reliability, and hands-on troubleshooting, this could be a good fit.

👉 Is this career path right for you? Find out Free with the MAPP Career Assessment.

‍