$Who Earns What

How much does a vending machine tech make?

US Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers

Answer: A typical vending machine tech in the United States makes $47,450 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Yearly pay of a typical person doing this job in the US
$47,450

Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 26,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).

Lower earner
$34,320
10th from the bottom of 100
Typical person
$47,450
Right in the middle (median)
Higher earner
$66,370
10th from the top of 100

If 100 people had this job

Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-right

Hover over a person to see their yearly pay

57 of 100
more than half

Vending machine tech pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)

Vending machine tech pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread) — Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lower earner (10th from bottom)Typical person (median)Higher earner (10th from top)People in this job
$34,320$47,450$66,370about 26,000
States where vending machine techs earn the most (median, May 2025)
StateTypical person (median)People in this job
New York$60,010about 1,000
New Jersey$59,770about 550
Washington$58,750about 580
Arizona$56,450about 990
California$51,870about 3,000

Why does pay differ?

In the U.S., pay can differ with experience, useful mechanical or electronics skills, and relevant credentials. The employer’s industry and location matter too: BLS data show differences across industries and areas.

What if you lived in a different state?

Pay varies a lot by state in the US
Whole US$47,450
New York$60,010
New Jersey$59,770
Washington$58,750
Arizona$56,450
California$51,870
Indiana$44,280
Missouri$44,220
Ohio$37,950

Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.

What does a vending machine tech do?

Install, service, adjust, or repair coin, vending, or amusement machines including video games, juke boxes, pinball machines, or slot machines.

What's a typical day like?

They visit vending or arcade machines, refill supplies, check for jammed bills or stuck items, and replace faulty parts. Then they test the machine, clean or oil it, and record repairs or order parts.

How to get this job

In the U.S., most people finish high school or earn a GED, then learn through short-term on-the-job training; an apprenticeship is another route. Many start after high school, often in their late teens, and mechanical or electrical know-how helps.

High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)

Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.

Did you know?

Some U.S. vending techs troubleshoot wireless connections, touchscreens, and payment software—not just jammed snacks or broken motors.

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Sources and data

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine

Pages used for the text

Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY