Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers
SOC Code: 49-2011.00
Installation, Maintenance & RepairComputer, automated teller, and office machine repairers keep essential business equipment running smoothly by diagnosing, maintaining, and fixing a wide range of machines that organizations depend on daily. With a median salary of $46,860, these technicians work on everything from ATMs and point-of-sale terminals to copiers, printers, and specialized office equipment. The role combines mechanical aptitude with growing electronics and networking knowledge as machines become increasingly computerized and connected. For those who enjoy hands-on problem solving and working independently, this career offers steady demand driven by the billions of dollars in equipment that must be kept operational across every industry.
Salary Overview
Median
$46,860
25th Percentile
$38,290
75th Percentile
$59,420
90th Percentile
$69,560
Salary Distribution
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Growth Rate
-0.9%
New Openings
7,600
Outlook
Little or no change
Key Skills
Knowledge Areas
What They Do
- Reassemble machines after making repairs or replacing parts.
- Converse with customers to determine details of equipment problems.
- Disassemble machines to examine parts, such as wires, gears, or bearings for wear or defects, using hand or power tools and measuring devices.
- Advise customers concerning equipment operation, maintenance, or programming.
- Repair, adjust, or replace electrical or mechanical components or parts, using hand tools, power tools, or soldering or welding equipment.
- Travel to customers' stores or offices to service machines or to provide emergency repair service.
- Maintain parts inventories and order any additional parts needed for repairs.
- Operate machines to test functioning of parts or mechanisms.
Tools & Technology
★ = Hot Technology (in-demand)
Education Requirements
Typical entry-level education: Associate's Degree
Related Careers
Top Career Pivot Targets
View all 23 →Careers with the highest skill compatibility from Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers.
A Day in the Life
A typical day for a computer, ATM, and office machine repairer begins with reviewing the day's service tickets and mapping an efficient route to customer locations, as much of the work involves traveling to where the machines are installed. The first stop might be a bank branch where an automated teller machine is jamming currency, requiring the technician to open the unit, clean the feed mechanisms, replace worn rollers, and run diagnostic tests to verify proper operation. Mid-morning could involve visiting a corporate office to service a high-volume multifunction copier, replacing toner cartridges, cleaning optical components, and updating firmware to resolve recurring paper feed errors. Lunch is often eaten on the road between appointments, with the technician using a mobile device to check for newly assigned emergency calls or update the status of completed repairs. Afternoon work might include installing a new point-of-sale system at a retail location, running network cables, configuring the terminal software, and training staff on basic operation and troubleshooting. Technicians carry extensive inventory of common replacement parts in their service vehicles, and part of each day involves checking stock levels and ordering components for upcoming scheduled maintenance visits. Documentation is essential, as each service call requires detailed notes about the problem, parts used, time spent, and any recommendations for future preventive maintenance. The day often ends with administrative tasks such as processing warranty claims, completing expense reports for parts and mileage, and reviewing technical bulletins from equipment manufacturers.
Work Environment
The work environment for machine repairers is highly mobile, with most technicians spending the majority of their day traveling between customer sites in a company-provided service vehicle stocked with tools and replacement parts. Physical demands are moderate to significant, involving bending, kneeling, lifting heavy components weighing up to 50 pounds, and working in cramped spaces behind or underneath large machines. Work hours typically follow a standard daytime schedule of 40 hours per week, though emergency service calls for critical equipment like ATMs can require evening or weekend availability. Technicians generally work independently with minimal direct supervision, managing their own schedules and making autonomous decisions about repair approaches and parts requirements. Customer interaction is frequent but typically brief and focused, occurring at the beginning and end of service calls when technicians explain the issue and solution to equipment operators. Exposure to toner dust, cleaning solvents, and occasional electrical hazards requires adherence to safety protocols and proper use of personal protective equipment. The job offers variety in daily settings, with technicians visiting banks, corporate offices, retail stores, medical facilities, and government buildings throughout their service territory.
Career Path & Advancement
Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent, combined with postsecondary training through a vocational program, community college certificate, or manufacturer-sponsored training courses in electronics and machine repair. Many technicians begin as apprentices or junior technicians, working alongside experienced repairers who provide hands-on mentorship in diagnosing mechanical, electrical, and software issues across various machine types. After two to three years of field experience, technicians typically achieve full competency and may earn manufacturer-specific certifications from companies like NCR, Diebold Nixdorf, Ricoh, or Xerox. Mid-career advancement leads to senior technician or field service engineer roles, where professionals handle the most complex repairs and may specialize in specific equipment categories such as ATMs or enterprise printing systems. Supervisory positions as service team leads or regional service managers become available after five to eight years, overseeing teams of field technicians and managing service level agreements. Some experienced technicians transition into technical training roles, teaching new hires and updating curriculum as equipment evolves. An associate or bachelor's degree in electronics technology, computer engineering technology, or information technology can accelerate advancement and open doors to related fields like network administration or industrial equipment maintenance.
Specializations
ATM and banking equipment specialization focuses on the complex electromechanical systems within automated teller machines, including cash dispensing mechanisms, card readers, receipt printers, and encrypted PIN pads that require security clearance to service. Point-of-sale system technicians specialize in retail and hospitality equipment, maintaining card payment terminals, barcode scanners, receipt printers, and the networking infrastructure that connects these devices to payment processors. Enterprise printing and imaging specialists work on high-volume copiers, large-format printers, and production printing equipment from manufacturers like Xerox, Canon, and Konica Minolta, handling complex calibration and color management. Mailing and shipping equipment repair covers postage meters, letter folders, envelope stuffers, and automated sorting machines used in mailrooms and fulfillment centers. Currency handling equipment specialists maintain bill counters, coin sorters, and currency recyclers used in banks, casinos, and retail cash offices. Self-service kiosk technicians work on a growing variety of automated customer-facing machines including check-in terminals, ticket dispensers, and interactive information displays. Medical office equipment repair is an emerging niche that covers specialized printers, scanning devices, and patient check-in systems used in healthcare settings that require HIPAA-compliant data handling.
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- ✓The job offers daily variety with different machines, problems, and customer locations preventing the monotony of a stationary office position.
- ✓Entry requirements are accessible, with vocational training and on-the-job learning providing a path to a $46,860 median salary without a four-year degree.
- ✓Independent work style appeals to self-directed individuals who prefer managing their own schedule and working without constant supervision.
- ✓Hands-on problem solving provides tangible satisfaction when diagnosing a malfunction and restoring critical equipment to working condition.
- ✓Company-provided vehicles, tools, and parts reduce personal expenses while offering the benefit of not commuting to a fixed office location.
- ✓Skills are transferable across equipment types and industries, providing stability even as specific machine categories evolve or decline.
- ✓The physical nature of the work provides a welcome alternative to sedentary desk jobs, keeping technicians active throughout the day.
Challenges
- ✗Extensive daily driving between service calls contributes to fatigue, vehicle wear, and time spent in traffic that isn't directly productive.
- ✗Physical demands including lifting heavy components, working in awkward positions, and exposure to toner dust can take a toll on the body over time.
- ✗The median salary of $46,860 is modest compared to other technology-adjacent careers, limiting financial growth without specialization or advancement.
- ✗Emergency and after-hours service calls for critical equipment like ATMs can disrupt evenings and weekends on a recurring basis.
- ✗Working alone at customer sites for most of the day can feel isolating for those who thrive on team collaboration and social interaction.
- ✗Keeping current with rapidly changing technology across multiple equipment manufacturers requires continuous self-directed learning and certification renewal.
- ✗Parts availability issues and supply chain delays can prevent timely repairs, leading to frustrated customers and pressure from management to resolve situations beyond the technician's control.
Industry Insight
The increasing computerization of traditional office and banking equipment is transforming the repair profession, requiring technicians to develop stronger networking, software, and cybersecurity skills alongside traditional mechanical expertise. ATM technology is evolving with the addition of video teller capabilities, contactless transactions, and biometric authentication, creating new service requirements and diagnostic complexity for field technicians. The growth of managed print services is shifting the business model from break-fix repair to proactive monitoring and preventive maintenance, with IoT-connected machines automatically reporting issues before they cause downtime. Self-service kiosks are proliferating across industries from fast food to healthcare, expanding the equipment base that technicians must be trained to service and creating new demand in retail and hospitality sectors. While the median salary of $46,860 reflects the vocational nature of the entry requirements, experienced technicians specializing in high-value equipment like ATMs or production printers can earn substantially more. Supply chain challenges have made parts availability and inventory management more critical skills, as technicians must sometimes improvise solutions when specific components face extended lead times. Environmental regulations are driving equipment manufacturers toward more sustainable designs, and technicians must stay current on proper disposal procedures for toner, batteries, and electronic waste.
How to Break Into This Career
Starting a career in machine repair begins with developing foundational knowledge in basic electronics, mechanical systems, and computer hardware through vocational training programs or community college courses. Many employers offer paid training programs for entry-level technicians, making this an accessible career path that provides income while building expertise rather than accumulating student debt. Earning a general electronics certification such as the Electronics Technicians Association (ETA) Certified Electronics Technician credential demonstrates baseline competency to potential employers. Hands-on experience with mechanical and electronic devices can be developed through tinkering with personal projects, volunteering to repair equipment at community organizations, or working in electronics retail. Applying for apprentice or junior technician positions with major equipment manufacturers and service companies like NCR, Xerox, or Ricoh provides structured career entry with manufacturer-specific training. A valid driver's license with a clean driving record is essential, as the job requires daily travel to customer sites in a company vehicle. Developing strong customer service skills is important because technicians serve as the face of their company when visiting client locations, and professionalism directly impacts customer satisfaction and contract renewals.
Career Pivot Tips
Computer, ATM, and office machine repairers build a diverse combination of mechanical, electrical, and customer service skills that transfer effectively to numerous adjacent careers. Field service engineering for industrial or medical equipment is a direct step up, applying the same diagnostic methodology to higher-value machines with commensurately higher compensation. The networking and computer hardware knowledge gained from servicing modern connected equipment provides a foundation for transitioning into IT support or desktop technician roles with additional certification preparation. Facilities management leverages the broad equipment knowledge and vendor coordination skills that repairers develop from maintaining diverse machine types across multiple locations. Technical sales positions for equipment manufacturers or distributors benefit from a repairer's deep understanding of product capabilities, common failure points, and customer pain points. Building automation and smart building technology is a growing field where mechanical and electronic troubleshooting skills directly apply to HVAC controls, security systems, and energy management equipment. Quality assurance and manufacturing inspection roles value the precision, attention to detail, and testing methodology that machine repairers practice daily. Telecommunications technician positions utilize similar electronic troubleshooting skills and independent field work patterns, often with higher salary potential and comprehensive benefits.
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