Arcade Game Technician: Salary and Career Facts

Arcade game technicians may perform general maintenance, replace parts and do system updates for arcade machines. Formal education is not required for this job, though a degree in electronics technology may be useful. Find out more about training, employment options and salary figures by reading on.

What Does an Arcade Game Technician do?

Some of your duties as an arcade game technician might include fixing games that have broken down, replacing damaged parts or updating machines, systems or software. You'll need to test arcade games on a regular basis to ensure they're working properly. If you're employed by a single arcade or gaming center, you might also be in charge of loading the games with tickets or emptying them of coins as often as necessary. The following table offers more career information to get started in this field.

Degree Required	High school diploma or GED
Education Field of Study	Formal training may be required by employers
Key Responsibilities	Fix games that have broken down, update machine or software, load game with tickets or empty coins
Job Growth (2020-2030)	9% (for all coin, vending, and amusement machine servicers and repairers)*
Median Salary (2020)	$37,580 (for all coin, vending, and amusement machine servicers and repairers)*

Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

What is an Arcade Game Technician?

As an arcade game technician, you're responsible for installing, repairing and maintaining the games found in arcades, theme parks and other types of amusement centers. You might be responsible for fixing pinball machines, skeeball machines, carnival games and other electronically operated games.

What Education or Training Will I Need?

There are few educational requirements needed to become an arcade game technician. Many employers train you on the job and require only that you have a high school diploma or GED. However, some employers might prefer that you have some formal instruction in electronics or machine repair.

A 2-year Associate of Science in Electronics Technology degree program teaches you the basics of electrical principles, electronics fabrication, digital circuits, electronics troubleshooting and repair, digital electronics and microcomputers. You can also earn a certificate in the field of electronics repair. These programs take less than a year to complete and includes the same core courses, but don't usually require the general education classes often found within an associate's degree program. Both types of programs might offer the chance to practice your new skills through lab work or internships.

Where Could I Find Work?

If you are interested in working as an arcade game technician, you might find a staff position at a gaming center or arcade. In such a position, you'll be responsible for maintaining and repairing the games at one or more locations owned by a single company.

You might also find work with an electronics or game repair company or game manufacturer. In this type of position, your services are contracted to multiple businesses, and you'll need to travel to various smaller arcades and gaming centers to fix machines as needed.

What Salary Can I Expect to Earn?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), coin, vending and amusement machine servicers and repairers held nearly 27,200 jobs in the U.S. in 2020 (www.bls.gov). The BLS reported employment was projected to have 9% from 2020 to 2030. The median annual salary for these workers was $37,580 in 2020, per the BLS.

What Are Some Related Alternative Careers?

An alternative career to an arcade game technician would be an electrical and electronics engineering technician. These professionals handle various types of machines - communications equipment, medical equipment, navigational equipment - and help design and implement, test and repair the devices. Technicians generally need an associate's degree in a related field.

Another career option would be an electronic home entertainment equipment installer and/or repairer. This position requires a postsecondary award and provides on the job training.