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Coin-Operated Machine Technician, Service Technician
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Vending machines may dispense goods ranging from food and tobacco products to coins and cash cards. Their duties and responsibilities vary depending on the types of machines they service. In general, they:
Vending machine technicians usually work a standard 40-hour week. They may be on call evenings and weekends. They work in repair shops and where machines are located. This can include offices, industrial plants, institutions, and retail operations such as hotels and restaurants. They often work in busy public places and cramped quarters. They need to travel from jobsite to jobsite.
Technicians must lift and move heavy items. They must move vending machines weighing up to 200 kilograms with the aid of mechanical equipment. Safety procedures and equipment are required to avoid injury when moving heavy machines and working with electricity or microwave equipment.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Other repairers and servicers
2023 OaSIS: 73209.00
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Vending machine technicians need:
They should enjoy using tools, testing, and adjusting equipment, and troubleshooting problems.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 102 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Jan 12, 2024 and Oct 06, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Inspect products to determine the requirements for repair | 89 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Test and adjust repaired products for proper functioning | 88 |
| Tasks: Repair or replace defective or worn parts and components | 88 |
| Tasks: Calibrate products using hand tools | 79 |
| Attention to detail | 70 |
| Construction Specialization: Reliability | 69 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 66 |
| Construction Specialization: Effective interpersonal skills | 53 |
| Hand-eye co-ordination | 52 |
| Construction Specialization: Client focus | 49 |
Vending machine technicians are trained on the job. Most begin as route workers who remove cash and keep the vending machines on a regular route stocked and clean. For more information, see the Vending Machine Route Worker occupational profile. Job applicants must have a valid driver’s licence and be bondable (acceptable to bonding companies as responsible, law-abiding people).
Employers most often hire high school graduates. They prefer workers who are familiar with hand-held technology, or have training related to computers or electronics. Vending machine manufacturers often offer seminars to help technicians keep their knowledge and skills up to date.
A Construction Safety Training System certificate is required to gain access to vending machines on some construction sites.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
In Alberta, vending machine technicians who work on refrigeration systems must be certified journeypersons. For more information, see the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic occupational profile.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Most vending machine technicians in Alberta work for vending machine operators (firms that own or lease vending machines) and soft drink companies. Route workers who want to move into repair positions may work for the same company for years before an entry-level technician position becomes available.
Advancement opportunities to supervisory positions are limited. With additional training, experienced vending machine technicians may move into related occupations such as meter repairer (such as for electrical or gas meters) or weigh-scale repairer.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Other repairers and servicers
2016 NOC: 7445
79.5% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Hourly wages for vending machine technicians vary. Wages depend on the size of the company and the technician’s skill and experience. Most companies pay overtime for emergency repair work on weekends or holidays.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.00 | $40.99 | $23.02 | $20.00 |
| Overall | $18.00 | $48.77 | $27.68 | $24.04 |
| Top | $20.00 | $52.00 | $32.71 | $30.00 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $56,115 |
|---|---|
| Wholesale Trade | $75,655 |
| Retail Trade | $38,686 |
Canadian Automatic Merchandising Association website: www.vending-cama.com
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 27, 2023. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
