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Vending Machine Technician

Vending machine technicians install, service, and repair coin-operated vending machines that dispense food, beverages, and other products.

Also Known As

Coin-Operated Machine Technician, Service Technician

NOC Codes

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

  • 7445: Other Repairers and Servicers

2006 NOC-S

  • H535: Other Repairers and Servicers

2011 NOC

  • 7445: Other repairers and servicers

2016 NOC

  • 7445: Other repairers and servicers

2021 NOC

  • 73209: Other repairers and servicers

2023 OaSIS

  • 73209.00: Other repairers and servicers
Duties
Updated Mar 27, 2023

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:

  • Test new machines before installing them
  • Transport and install machines by connecting them to sources of electricity and, where necessary, water
  • Make routine service calls to do preventative maintenance work such as cleaning electrical contact points, lubricating parts, and making minor adjustments to improve machine operation
  • Educate route workers who stock machines about machine operations to reduce the frequency of malfunctions
  • Respond to calls about machines needing repair from vending machine owners and concessionaires (organizations housing machines on a concession basis)
  • Use hand tools and electrical testing equipment to adjust machines and pressure gauges and thermometers to test heating and cooling systems
  • Replace worn parts and defective electronic components
  • Arrange to return machines requiring major repairs to the shop
  • Dismantle and repair or rebuild machines in the shop
  • Fill and clean machines when required
  • Program machines for pricing and planogram (diagram detailing placement of products in the machine) changes
  • Collect coins from machines or prepare invoices for concessionaires
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 27, 2023
  • Strength Required Lift over 20 kg

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.

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 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

2006 NOC: 7445

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
OBJECTIVE

Interest in operating hand, power and specially designed tools to service products and equipment; may calibrate products using hand tools

METHODICAL

Interest in compiling information to test and adjust repaired products to ensure that they work properly; and in performing routine maintenance

innovative

Interest in inspecting products to determine repairs required

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 27, 2023

Vending machine technicians need:

  • Mechanical ability and manual dexterity
  • Physical strength
  • Good eyesight and colour vision
  • Problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills

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.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Other repairers and servicers

2016 NOC: 7445

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 130 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Mar 21, 2023 and Oct 03, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Tasks: Inspect products to determine the requirements for repair
Tasks: Repair or replace defective or worn parts and components
Tasks: Test and adjust repaired products for proper functioning
Attention to detail
Reliability
Organized
Tasks: Calibrate products using hand tools
Effective interpersonal skills
Excellent oral communication
Hand-eye co-ordination
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 27, 2023
  • Minimum Education High school diploma

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.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 27, 2023
  • Certification Not Regulated

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.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 27, 2023

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.

Industry Concentration

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.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta 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.

Other repairers and servicers
2021 NOC: 73209
Lower
Demand
1,700
Employed

Source: 2023-2025 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.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

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:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Other repairers and servicers
2016 NOC: 7445
2.3%
Annual Growth
(Below Average)
53
New Positions

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.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 27, 2023

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 2016 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

2016 NOC: 7445
Average Wage
$25.18
Per Hour
Average Salary
$50,300.00
Per Year
Average Hours
38.8
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
11.8
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 7445 Wage Profile

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.

B: Good Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

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.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $15.00 $26.44 $19.70 $18.00
Overall $17.00 $33.65 $25.18 $22.31
Top $18.25 $48.08 $31.66 $28.00

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

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Wholesale Trade
Retail Trade
Information, Culture, Recreation
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
51%
51%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
49%
49%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
9%
9%
Vacancy Rate
3%
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Trades, Industrial and Related Training
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 27, 2023

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.

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