Office Machine and Cash Register Servicers
Description OES Code: 85926
Repair and service office machines, such as adding, accounting, calculating, duplicating, and typewriting machines. Include the repair of manual, electrical, and electronic office machines. Exclude the repair of computerized systems and word processing systems.

Wages, California
Entry-Level Hourly Wage $10.76
25th Percentile $12.42
50th Percentile $15.92
75th Percentile $20.01

Wages, San Joaquin County
Entry-Level Hourly Wage $9.70
25th Percentile $10.56
50th Percentile $12.93
75th Percentile $15.67

Wages by California County
• OES Survey
• CCOIS Survey

Hours & Benefits
Medical insurance, vacation, sick leave, and other fringe benefits are often determined by company size. Office-Machine Servicers usually work 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Overtime work may be plentiful in some shops. Most employers will provide transportation or reimburse employees for the use of their vehicles on service calls.

Employment Trends, California
Employment 1998 4,900
Projected Employment 2008 6,200
Percent Change 1998-2008 26.5%
Separations 1998-2008 1,200

Employment Trends, San Joaquin County
Employment 1999 70
Projected Employment 2006 80
Percent Change 1999-2006 14.3%
Separations 1999-2006 10

Employment Trends by California County

Advancement
Advancement opportunities are often limited to increased responsibility and increases in salary. However, Office-Machine Servicers can sometimes become managers of service departments. They can also often transfer into the company's sales division. With experience, servicers may go into business for themselves or they may be invited into partnership with their employers. These servicers must have good communication skills and the ability to present themselves in a professional manner. They should possess sales ability and a knowledge of business practices and techniques. They will need enough capital to open a shop and purchase repair equipment, merchandise, and parts.

Getting the Job & Other Information
Office-Machine Servicers may seek jobs through classified advertisements, private employment agencies, the California Employment Development Department Job Service, or by applying directly to employers. Applicants interested in on-the-job training should check with manufacturers or one of the office machine dealers associations.

Civil service job announcements are usually posted in various federal, state, and local government personnel offices. These jobs are filled through competitive examination, which may include both a written test and oral interview.

For a list of current job listing, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank.

Education and Training
In-school training that includes courses in electricity, electronics, and office machine repair is always desirable and becoming mandatory for many jobs. Some manufacturers offer training for their new Office-Machine Servicers or to servicers who work for those sales and repair establishments that sell the manufacturer's products. The training prepares the worker to service the machines manufactured by that particular company. Employers prefer applicants with training from vocational schools or equipment manufacturers or who have some work experience. Entry level employees at large companies normally receive on-the-job training lasting several months. This may include a week of classroom training followed by several months of hands-on-training.

Skills & Other Requirements
Mechanical aptitude, good manual dexterity, and knowledge of electronics and electrical characteristics are usually required of Office-Machine Servicers. Prospective employees may be required to pass pre-employment tests that demonstrate these characteristics, particularly if they do not have experience or have not successfully completed related training courses. The ability to communicate and to work independently is desirable. Correctable vision and hearing may be required for workers who work with exceptionally small parts, machines that use color coding in their circuits and wires, or machines in which defects may be diagnosed by changes in sound. In some establishments workers must be bondable because they perform work where there is ready access to money and other valuables. A Class 3 driver's license is required for servicers who do field work.

References
California Occupational Guide #405

Related Occupations: Computer Systems Service Technicians, Vending Machine Mechanics

Training: California Training and Education Providers (CTEP)