How Can I Become a Game Technician?
Research what it takes to become a game technician. Learn about the education requirements, key responsibilities, salary, and job outlook to find out if this is the right career for you.
What Is a Game Technician?
Game technicians spend their time in arcades, gaming centers, game companies and casinos. There they work with electronics and technology related to the game industry to fix machines. They test the performance of electronic equipment using electronic test equipment, and fix machines that are malfunctioning. They may also install new equipment. This work requires the use of soldering equipment. The table below explains the general requirements for a career as a game technician.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Education Required</b></td><td> High school diploma or GED</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Training Required</b></td><td> On-the-job training</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Key Responsibilities</b></td><td> Install, repair and service amusement games; test games for working order; collect revenue from entertainment games for client</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Projected Job Outlook (2020-2030)</b></td><td> 9% <i>(for all coin, vending and amusement machine servicers and repairers)</i>*</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)</b></td><td> $37,580 <i>(for all coin, vending and amusement machine servicers and repairers)</i>*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatTrainingDoINeed">What Training Do I Need?</h3><p>If you find work as a game technician, you may learn how to service and repair game machines on the job. However, many employers are interested in hiring game technicians who have some vocational education in addition to a high school diploma or GED. You might consider completing a certificate or associate's degree program in electronics technology or machine repair.
</p><p>Some community colleges offer certificate programs specifically related to slot or casino gaming machine repair. Courses covered in such programs include electrical circuits, electronics lab, computer electronics, slot-machine system maintenance and computer applications for technicians.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAreTheDutiesOfAGameTechnician">What are the Duties of a Game Technician?</h3><p>As a game technician, your main responsibility is to install, repair and service arcade games, pinball machines, slot machines, jukeboxes and other types of amusement machines. You might find employment with a single arcade company or casino. Alternatively, you might work with a game service company and travel from business to business, fixing entertainment machines in need of repair.
</p><p>If you work for a single entertainment venue, you might check individual games to make sure they are stocked with tickets. You could also be responsible for occasionally testing the games to make sure they remain in working order. You might even be in charge of collecting coins and money from machines at an appointed time.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatSalaryCanIExpect">What Salary Can I Expect?</h3><p>The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that coin, vending, and amusement machine servicers and repairers earned a median annual salary of $37,580 in 2020.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatIsTheEmploymentOutlook">What is the Employment Outlook?</h3><p>According to the BLS, the number of working game technicians was expected to have a 9% between 2020 and 2030. The technologies used in creating arcade games and slot machines have improved in the last few years, reducing the need for repair and service technicians. Game technicians who have some experience working with electronics may find it easier to find jobs in the field.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAreSomeRelatedAlternativeCareers">What Are Some Related Alternative Careers?</h3><p>Electrical engineers use many of the same techniques and tools to repair electronic equipment, like electric motors, navigation systems and communication systems. These professionals typically have a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, electronics engineering, or electrical engineering technology. Electrical and electronics engineering technicians help assemble prototype electronics, fix technical problems with those prototypes and draw diagrams. These technicians are usually supervised by engineers. An associate's degree in electrical or electronics engineering technology is the basic academic requirement.</p>