Career Explorer Installation and repair
Changing shape
Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairers
Repair, maintain, or install computers, word processing systems, automated teller machines, and electronic office machines, such as duplicating and fax machines.
Among the careers AI is changing fastest: more resilient than 19% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is moderate (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it high), and US jobs are projected to change by -3.0% by 2035, expected to shrink. The work leans on physical dexterity.
AI can do many of the tasks, and hiring is expected to grow slower than average or to shrink. The job is likely to change, so build the human parts of it.
- Median pay (2025)
- $47,810
- Job growth to 2035
- -3.0%
- Openings a year
- 6,100
- People doing it (2025)
- 72,100
- Usual route in
- Some college, then short on-the-job training
Where people already use AI for this work
- Adjust equipment to ensure adequate performance
- Test performance of equipment or systems
- Set up computer systems, networks, or other information systems
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Assemble equipment or components
- Maintain operational records
- Maintain tools or equipment
What the work looks like
- Travel to customers' stores or offices to service machines or to provide emergency repair service.
- Reassemble machines after making repairs or replacing parts.
- Advise customers concerning equipment operation, maintenance, or programming.
- Maintain parts inventories and order any additional parts needed for repairs.
- Converse with customers to determine details of equipment problems.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects
- Fewer of these jobs, as consumers use less cash for daily transactions, which reduces the need for ATM machines and therefore ATM repairers.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Telecommunications line installers and repairersHuman edge, steady, Index 43, -3.4%
- Precision instrument and equipment repairers, all otherHuman edge, steady, Index 77, +2.5%
- Radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairersHuman edge, steady, Index 63, +1.2%
- GlaziersHuman edge, steady, Index 69, +1.9%
Also known as: Copier Technician (Copier Tech), Field Engineer, Field Service Engineer, Service Technician (Service Tech), ATM Technician (Automated Teller Machine Technician), Computer Repair Technician (Computer Repair Tech), Customer Service Engineer, Field Service Technician (Field Service Tech).
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.