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installation-repair

Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers

Repair, maintain, or install computers, word processing systems, automated teller machines, and electronic office machines, such as duplicating and fax machines.

Median Annual Pay
$45,760
Range: $33,430 - $65,820
Training Time
2 to 4 years
AI Resilience
🟡AI-Augmented
Education
Associate's degree

📋Key Responsibilities

  • 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.
  • Align, adjust, or calibrate equipment according to specifications.
  • 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.

💡Inside This Career

The office equipment technician repairs computers, ATMs, and business machines—diagnosing problems, replacing components, and maintaining the technology that offices and financial institutions depend on. A typical day centers on service calls. Perhaps 70% of time goes to repair work: diagnosing problems, replacing parts, testing repairs, performing maintenance. Another 20% involves customer interaction—explaining issues, discussing options, training users. The remaining time addresses travel, documentation, and parts management.

People who thrive as office machine repairers combine electronics knowledge with diagnostic ability and the customer service skills that field service requires. Successful technicians develop expertise across various equipment types while building the troubleshooting abilities that efficient diagnosis demands. They must solve problems quickly under customer pressure. Those who struggle often cannot diagnose problems efficiently or find the customer interaction challenging. Others fail because they cannot keep pace with changing technology.

Office machine repair represents field service for business technology, with technicians maintaining the equipment that commerce relies on. The field has evolved as technology changed but continues serving essential equipment. These technicians appear in discussions of field service, technical careers, and the workers who keep business equipment operating.

Practitioners cite the variety and the problem-solving as primary rewards. Each service call presents different challenges. The diagnostic puzzle is intellectually engaging. The field service provides independence. The variety of locations prevents monotony. The technical skills are valuable. The work is essential for businesses. Common frustrations include the declining field and the pressure. Many find that the office machine category has shrunk with technology changes. The pressure to resolve quickly is intense. Travel consumes significant time. Customer expectations are often unrealistic. Keeping current with technology is endless. The field has become more competitive.

This career requires electronics training and equipment certification. Strong diagnostic ability, electronics knowledge, and customer service are essential. The role suits those who want field service careers and can handle varied equipment. It is poorly suited to those wanting growing fields, uncomfortable with customer pressure, or preferring specialized focus. Compensation is moderate for field service technical work.

📈Career Progression

1
Entry (10th %ile)
0-2 years experience
$33,430
$30,087 - $36,773
2
Early Career (25th %ile)
2-6 years experience
$37,210
$33,489 - $40,931
3
Mid-Career (Median)
5-15 years experience
$45,760
$41,184 - $50,336
4
Experienced (75th %ile)
10-20 years experience
$58,240
$52,416 - $64,064
5
Expert (90th %ile)
15-30 years experience
$65,820
$59,238 - $72,402

📚Education & Training

Requirements

  • Entry Education: Associate's degree
  • Experience: One to two years
  • On-the-job Training: One to two years
  • !License or certification required

Time & Cost

Education Duration
2-3 years (typically 2)
Estimated Education Cost
$5,586 - $16,254
Public (in-state):$16,254
Community college:$5,586
Source: college board (2024)

🤖AI Resilience Assessment

AI Resilience Assessment

Medium Exposure + Human Skills: AI augments this work but human judgment remains essential

🟡AI-Augmented
Task Exposure
Medium

How much of this job involves tasks AI can currently perform

Automation Risk
Medium

Likelihood that AI replaces workers vs. assists them

Job Growth
Declining Slowly
-1% over 10 years

(BLS 2024-2034)

Human Advantage
Moderate

How much this role relies on distinctly human capabilities

Sources: AIOE Dataset (Felten et al. 2021), BLS Projections 2024-2034, EPOCH FrameworkUpdated: 2026-01-02

💻Technology Skills

Diagnostic softwareMicrosoft OfficeRemote access toolsInventory managementService ticketing systems

Key Abilities

Near Vision
Oral Comprehension
Oral Expression
Problem Sensitivity
Written Comprehension
Finger Dexterity
Speech Recognition
Speech Clarity
Information Ordering
Visualization

🏷️Also Known As

Accounting Machine MechanicAdding Machine MechanicAssembly TechnicianATM Servicer (Automated Teller Machine Servicer)ATM Technician (Automated Teller Machine Technician)Bookkeeping Machine MechanicBreak/Fix Tech (Break/Fix Technician)Business Machine MechanicCalculating Machine MechanicCash Register Mechanic+5 more

🔗Related Careers

Other careers in installation-repair

🔗Data Sources

Last updated: 2025-12-27O*NET Code: 49-2011.00

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