Computer, ATM, and Office Machine Repairers

Summary

Computer repairers replace malfunctioning components within machines, such as a hard drive in a desktop computer.

Quick Facts: Computer, ATM, and Office Machine Repairers
2010 Median Pay	$37,280 per year $17.92 per hour
Entry-Level Education	Postsecondary non-degree award
Work Experience in a Related Occupation	None
On-the-job Training	None
Number of Jobs, 2010	146,200
Job Outlook, 2010-20	7% (Slower than average)
Employment Change, 2010-20	9,500

What Computer, ATM, and Office Machine Repairers Do

Computer, ATM, and office machine repairers install, fix, and maintain many of the machines that businesses, households, and other consumers use.

Work Environment

Repairers often do their work on-site, traveling to customer locations for large or stationary machines. They mostly work for private businesses, but about 24 percent were self-employed in 2010.

How to Become a Computer, ATM, or Office Machine Repairer

Some workers enter this field with a high school diploma. However, knowledge of electronics is required, so these workers commonly have a postsecondary degree or certificate. Strong communication and customer service skills are important because computer, ATM, and office machine repairers often interact with customers to figure out what needs to be repaired.

Pay

The median annual wage of computer, ATM, and office machine repairers was $37,280 in May 2010.

Job Outlook

Employment of computer, ATM, and office machine repairers is expected to grow 7 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower than the average for all occupations. They will continue to be needed to repair malfunctioning equipment and provide preventive maintenance.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of computer, ATM, and office machine repairers with similar occupations.

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Contacts for More Information

Learn more about computer, ATM, and office machine repairers by contacting these additional resources.

What Computer, ATM, and Office Machine Repairers Do About this section

Computer, ATM, and office machine repairers provide preventative maintenance such as cleaning the internal parts of machines.

Computer, ATM, and office machine repairers install, fix, and maintain many of the machines that businesses, households, and other consumers use.

Duties

Computer, ATM, and office machine repairers typically do the following:

• Travel to customers' locations in response to service requests
• Communicate with customers to determine the source of a problem
• Do administrative tasks, such as completing work order forms
• Use a variety of tools, such as a multimeter, to help diagnose the problem
• Install large equipment, such as mainframe computers and ATMs
• Explain the basic functions of machines and equipment to customers
• Replace malfunctioning machine parts, such as video cards in desktop computers or keypads on ATM machines
• Provide preventative maintenance, such as cleaning the internal parts of machines
• Test newly installed systems to make sure they work properly

In most cases, machines do not break down entirely. Often just one broken part can keep a machine from working properly. Repairers often fix machines by replacing these parts and other defective equipment because it is often less expensive than replacing the entire machine.

Although the work of computer, ATM, and office machine repairers is very similar, the exact tasks differ depending on the type of equipment. For example, computer repairers often must replace desktop parts, such as a motherboard, because of hardware failure. ATM repairers may replace a worn magnetic head on a card reader to allow an ATM to recognize customers’ bank cards. Office machine repairers replace parts of office machines that break down from general wear and tear, such as the printheads of inkjet printers.

Some repairers have assigned areas where they do preventive maintenance on a regular basis.

Computer repairers service and repair computer parts, network connections, and computer equipment, such as an external hard drive or computer monitor. Computer repairers must be familiar with various operating systems and commonly used software packages. Some work from repair shops, while others travel to customers' locations.

ATM repairers install and repair automated teller machines and, increasingly, electronic kiosks. They often work with a network of ATMs and travel to ATM locations when they are alerted to a malfunction.

Office machine repairers fix machinery at customers’ workplaces because these machines are often large and stationary, such as office printers or copiers. Office machines often need preventive maintenance, such as cleaning, or replacement of commonly used parts as they break down from general wear and tear.

Work Environment About this section

Some repairers repair smaller equipment and often work from repair shops located in stores, factories, or repair shops, and at customer shops.

Computer, ATM, and office machine repairers held about 146,200 jobs in 2010. They mostly worked for private businesses, but about 24 percent were self-employed.

Computer and office machine repairers work in air-conditioned and well-ventilated offices because computers and office machines are sensitive to extreme temperatures and humidity.

ATM repairers work in various environments depending on the location of an ATM. Some ATMs are outdoors, while others are indoors, such as in lobbies of buildings.

Some repairers, often called field technicians, work on-site and have to travel to various locations to install, maintain, or repair a customer’s equipment. Other repairers, often called bench technicians, work in repair shops. In smaller companies, repairers may work both in repair shops and at customers' locations.

In the course of repairs, repairers often must lift equipment and work in a variety of postures, although it is not usually strenuous.

Work Schedules

Most computer, ATM, and office machine repairers work full time, although some are employed as part-time workers. Some occasionally work evenings, weekends, and holidays to maintain machines that may break down.

How to Become a Computer, ATM, or Office Machine Repairer About this section

Employers often prefer workers who have training in electronics from the military or a vocational school.

Some workers enter this field with a high school diploma. However, knowledge of electronics is required, so these workers commonly have a postsecondary degree or certificate. Strong communication and customer service skills are important because computer, ATM, and office machine repairers often interact with customers to figure out what needs to be repaired.

Education

Employers often prefer workers who have training in electronics from the military or a vocational school. Workers who study basic electronics at a vocational school typically learn about circuits and transistors. They are also taught how to troubleshoot major issues, which means discovering which part is causing a machine to malfunction. A basic understanding of mechanical equipment is also important because many of the parts that fail in office machines and ATMs, such as paper loaders, are mechanical.

Training

Repairers typically know electronics when they are hired. However, because the tools they use vary by specialty, repairers usually get some company-specific training on the job to become familiar with diagnostic tools, such as proprietary software. As new tools and technology become available, repairers will typically attend classes that teach how to use and apply these tools.

In some cases, entry-level repairers with limited knowledge and experience will get on-the-job training from more experienced mentors. Newly hired repairers may work on problems that are less complex, such as doing preventive maintenance on machines. However, with experience, they can advance to positions where they maintain more sophisticated systems.

Certification

Various organizations offer certification for computer, ATM, and office machine repairers. For example, the Electronics Technicians Association International (ETA) offers more than 80 certification programs in numerous electronics specialties for varying levels of competence.

To become certified, applicants must meet several prerequisites and pass a comprehensive written or online exam. Certifications show a level of competency, and they can make an applicant more attractive to employers or increase an employee’s opportunity for advancement.

Advancement

Over time, repairers become experts in their specialty and may train entry-level repairers. They may also move into management positions where they supervise other repairers.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Repairers often face problems with no standard solution. They must use logic, reasoning, and their experience to evaluate different possible solutions.

Communication skills. Repairers must be able to communicate effectively with customers because they work closely with customers to understand the problems with a machine.

Information technology (IT) skills. Repairers work with a number of advanced diagnostic tools and techniques, such as the ability to access a computer remotely. They must be able to use technology to test various processes and evaluate results.

Manual dexterity. Repairers must be able to make precise, coordinated movements with their fingers or hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

Troubleshooting skills. Workers find, diagnose, and repair problems. They devise methods to run tests to determine the cause of problems. They solve the problem to repair the equipment.

Pay About this section

The median annual wage of computer, ATM, and office machine repairers was $37,280 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $22,600, and the top 10 percent earned more than $58,620.

Most computer, ATM, and office machine repairers work full time, although some are employed as part-time workers. Some occasionally work evenings, weekends, and holidays to maintain machines that may break down.

Job Outlook About this section

Employment of computer, ATM, and office machine repairers is expected to grow 7 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower than the average for all occupations.

Computer repairers will see a continued demand for their services as computer parts need replacing or organizations need hardware upgrades. As companies modernize and use new technology in their day-to-day operations, computer repairers will continue to see employment opportunities.

Office and machine repairers will also continue to see demand for their services as office equipment continues to break down and need preventive maintenance.

However, increasing use of electronic banking is causing a decline in the demand for new ATMs, which may result in a decreased need for ATM repairers.  

Job Prospects

Workers with experience, education from a trade school, and some certification often will have the best opportunities. Employers also prefer to hire workers whose military service has provided them with relevant training and experience. ATM repairers with training in the security of ATM networks have the best job prospects.

Contacts for More Information About this section

For more information about careers in computer repair, visit

Association of Computer Repair Business Owners

For more information on electronic careers and certification, visit

Electronics Technician Association International