Calculators

ATM Business Calculator

Placing ATMs at each, stocked with of cash, that handle withdrawals a month each at a fee, paying a withdrawal to the location and processor and a month per ATM, makes $1,950 a month and pays back the start-up cost in 2 years 7 months. Over years, with back when you sell, it returns 145%, or 41.5% a year. At hours a week of your own time, you earn $56 an hour.

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How much does an ATM make?

An ATM makes money from the surcharge customers pay on each withdrawal. You pay for the machine, the cash inside it, a share to the location, processing and upkeep. The example places 10 ATMs at $3,000 each and loads each with $3,000 of cash, $60,000 in all. Each handles 150 withdrawals a month at a $3 fee, which brings in $4,500 a month. After $1.20 a withdrawal to the location and processor and $75 a month per ATM, it keeps $1,950 a month and pays back in 2 years 7 months.

The cash in the machine isn't spent. You get it back when you close or sell, so the calculator returns it at the end. That's why the example's 5-year return of 145%, or 41.5% a year, includes $30,000 of vault cash coming home. If each ATM needs only $1,000 of cash because you refill it more often, your start-up falls to $40,000 and payback drops to 1 year 9 months.

Withdrawals per machine decide the return. The example covers its costs at 417 withdrawals a month across all 10 ATMs, about 42 each. At 100 a month per ATM, it keeps $1,050 a month and takes 4 years 10 months to pay back. At 300, it keeps $4,650 and pays back in 1 year 1 month. Bars, convenience stores and venues where card readers are rare tend to see the most use.

Watch the per-withdrawal costs. Each withdrawal leaves $1.80 after the location's share and processing. Cutting that cost from $1.20 to $0.70 would lift profit to $2,700 a month, the same as raising the fee to $3.50. Location deals vary from a flat rent to half the surcharge, so compare them with the calculator before you sign.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an ATM machine cost?

A new retail ATM often costs $2,000 to $5,000, and a used one $1,000 to $2,500. Add installation, a wireless or phone connection and the cash to load it. Through-the-wall models for banks and outdoor sites cost much more. The example uses $3,000 per machine.

How much cash do you put in an ATM?

Many retail ATMs hold $1,000 to $5,000, enough to last until the next refill. More cash means fewer trips but more money tied up. The example loads $3,000 per ATM. The calculator counts it as start-up cost and returns it at the end, because it's still your money.

How much does an ATM make per transaction?

The owner keeps the surcharge, often $2.50 to $3.50, minus the location's share and processing costs. Some networks also pay a small interchange fee per withdrawal. In the example, a $3 fee leaves $1.80 after a $1.20 cost per withdrawal.

Is owning an ATM profitable?

At a busy location, it can be. The example earns $195 a month per ATM and returns 41.5% a year over 5 years. At a slow location with 30 withdrawals a month, the machine loses about $21 a month. Theft, broken machines and falling cash use are the main risks.

How many transactions does an ATM need to be profitable?

Divide the monthly cost per ATM by what each withdrawal leaves. In the example, $75 divided by $1.80 is about 42 withdrawals a month per ATM. Above that, each withdrawal is profit, before your own time.

How long does it take for an ATM to pay for itself?

The example's 10 ATMs cost $60,000 with cash and keep $1,950 a month, so they pay back in 31 months. With $1,000 of cash per machine, payback drops to 21 months. With 300 withdrawals a month, it drops to 13 months.

How do I find locations for ATMs?

Look for places where people need cash and there's no ATM nearby: bars, clubs, convenience stores, laundromats, festivals and small shops that take only cash. Offer the owner a share of each fee or a flat rent. Ask how many cash customers they see a day before you place a machine.

Do I need a license to own an ATM?

Most owners place ATMs through a processor or independent sales organization that's sponsored by a bank network. Some states also require registration. You'll need a business entity and good records of the cash you load. Check your state's rules and your processor's requirements.

Is the ATM business dying?

Cash use has fallen in the US, but many people still want cash for tips, small shops and events. Machines at busy cash-heavy locations can still do well. Test with a lower withdrawal count to see how the return changes if cash use keeps falling. At 100 withdrawals a month, the example still returns 15.0% a year.

Should I count my own time?

Yes. Loading cash, fixing jams and visiting locations take time. The example assumes 8 hours a week across 10 ATMs, which is about $56 an hour. If you use an armored car service or a paid route runner, add their cost to the monthly cost per ATM.

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