You install, maintain, and repair the machines that dispense coins, vend products, and power amusement games. It is hands-on, in demand, and you can start with a high school education. Here is what the work involves, what skills matter, and how to get in.
Pathly builds you a free, personalized roadmap and helps your counselor champion you along the way.
You service and repair coin-operated, vending, and amusement machines in locations like arcades, laundromats, restaurants, and transit stations. Your day involves diagnosing mechanical and electronic problems, replacing worn parts, and testing equipment to make sure it works. You monitor machines for issues, document repairs and maintenance, and communicate with customers about what you find. The work is hands-on and requires you to think through problems and stay current with the machines you maintain.
Core work activities
Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers earn a median of $47,450 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is softer here. Employment is projected to fall 3 percent from 2024 to 2034, though there are still about 3,500 openings a year from turnover.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Most positions require a high school diploma or equivalent. You will typically start as an entry-level technician and learn on the job, working alongside experienced servicers. Some employers offer formal training programs in machine repair and maintenance. You will build knowledge in mechanical systems, electronics, and customer service as you work. Consider seeking roles that offer mentorship and hands-on training to develop the technical skills the role demands.
Most people enter this field through direct hire or apprenticeship with a service company. If you are deciding between jumping in right away or pursuing additional technical training first, Pathly can map the coin, vending, and amusement machine servicer and repairer path that fits you and work through the options with your counselor.
Many coin, vending, and amusement machine servicer and repairers must be licensed, and professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
Licensing is handled at the state level and the requirements vary, so check the licensing board in your state. Pathly shows your state's specific steps inside your roadmap.
You like working with your hands, solving mechanical problems, and keeping equipment running. You are practical, detail-oriented, and comfortable learning on the job.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
Get a personalized, step-by-step plan to reach this career, with the training, coursework, and credentials tracked in one place. Link your school or IEC and your counselor in the loop.
Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).