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Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers

Typical education: High school diplomaModerate pressure

What they do

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

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $47,810 Median per year · $22.99/hr Most earn $35,910–$71,730

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Clean, oil, or adjust mechanical parts to maintain machines' operating efficiency and to prevent breakdowns.
  • Enter information into computers to copy programs from one electronic component to another or to draw, modify, or store schematics.
  • Calibrate testing instruments.
  • Align, adjust, or calibrate equipment according to specifications.
  • Clean, oil, or adjust mechanical parts to maintain machines' operating efficiency and to prevent breakdowns.
  • Converse with customers to determine details of equipment problems.

Job outlook

United States
3% fewer jobs by 2035, declining · about 6,100 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Professional and commercial equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers26.2%
  • Electronics and appliance retailers25.2%
  • Electronic and precision equipment repair and maintenance16.4%
  • Self-employed (their own business)8.6%
  • Computer systems design and related services4.3%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: High school diplomaExperience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

You can often start this job with a high school diploma plus some on-the-job training. Most people spend about 6 months to 1 year learning the work in an entry-level helper or trainee role before they work on machines on their own.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Build a base in math, science, and shop or electronics classes, which are the skills you use when you troubleshoot machines.

  2. Repair Technician Helper (office equipment or electronics)

    6 months to 1 year

    You assist experienced repairers, clean and sort parts, and learn to diagnose and fix copiers, printers, and similar machines while on the job.

  3. Computer, ATM, and Office Machine Repairer

    Ongoing

    You handle repairs, maintenance, and installation of computers, ATMs, and office machines on your own.

Where it can lead

  1. Electrical and Electronics Repairer, Commercial and Industrial Equipment

    1-3 years of experience first

    You take on larger and more complex equipment, often with more technical training or certification and more independent troubleshooting.

  2. Industrial Machinery Mechanic

    1-3 years of experience first

    You move from office and electronic machines to larger industrial equipment, which usually requires more hands-on mechanical training or an apprenticeship.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take electronics, computer science, or shop classesThese classes teach you how circuits, computers, and mechanical parts work, which is the core of this job.
  • Build or fix a computer with friends or familyHands-on practice with real hardware shows you whether you enjoy troubleshooting.
  • Join a robotics, technology, or science clubClubs let you work on machines in a team and practice solving problems step by step.
  • Get a part-time or summer job at an electronics store or help deskWorking with customers and equipment builds practical skills and a work history employers look for.
  • Ask a local repair technician for a short job shadowSeeing the daily work up close helps you decide if this career fits you.

In college

  • Take courses in electronics, networking, or computer hardwareClasses in these areas give you the technical knowledge employers look for in repair work.
  • Pursue a hardware or office equipment certificationIndustry certifications show employers you know how to diagnose and repair equipment, and they can help you get hired.
  • Work a campus IT help desk or tech support jobThis gives you paid experience troubleshooting computers and printers, which is close to the work you would do in this career.
  • Seek an internship with an office equipment dealer or IT service companyInternships let you learn from experienced technicians and build a professional network.
  • Join a tech or engineering student organizationThese groups offer hands-on projects and connections to local employers in the technology field.

Tips for getting started

  • Take any electronics, computer, or shop class you can, and tinker with old computers or printers at home to get comfortable with hardware.
  • Look for part-time or summer jobs in retail electronics, IT help desks, or copier and printer service companies to gain hands-on experience early.
  • Keep a simple log of the repairs or projects you have done, since employers often ask what you have actually fixed.

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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