Estimate how much you can earn with an ATM business. Adjust the sliders to match your situation and see projected monthly income, annual profit, and payback period.
Monthly Revenue
$2,700
5 ATMs × 6 txn/day × 30 days × $3.00
Monthly Expenses
-$750
5 ATMs × $150/mo operating costs
Monthly Profit
$1,950
Annual Profit
$23,400
Startup Cost
$12,500
Payback Period
7 months
Time to recover your $12,500 investment
Ready to find the best atm locations in your area?
Get Your Location List — Starting at $2950–300+ scored locations delivered in 24 hours
This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only. Actual earnings vary based on location, foot traffic, competition, and other factors. The best way to maximize profit is to place your ATMs in researched, high-traffic locations.
A well-placed ATM typically generates $300–$600 per month in surcharge revenue. High-traffic locations like bars and nightclubs can generate $800–$1,500+ per month. The key factor is foot traffic and the availability of other cash sources nearby.
You can start with a single ATM for $2,000–$3,500 (new) or $1,200–$2,000 (refurbished). Additional costs include cash loading ($1,000–$2,000 per machine), insurance ($300–$500/year), and processing fees ($0.25–$0.65 per transaction). Most operators start with 3–5 machines for $10,000–$20,000 total.
The average ATM surcharge in the US is $2.50–$3.50 per transaction. In high-demand locations (bars, nightclubs, events), surcharges of $3.50–$5.00 are common. As the ATM owner, you typically keep 100% of the surcharge minus a small processing fee ($0.25–$0.65).
Average ATMs see 3–8 transactions per day. Low-traffic locations may see 1–3, while high-traffic spots (bars, convenience stores, events) can see 10–20+ transactions daily. Location quality is the single biggest factor in transaction volume.
Most ATM operators achieve payback in 4–8 months with well-placed machines. A $2,500 ATM generating $500/month in surcharge revenue (minus ~$150 in operating costs) pays for itself in about 7 months. Finding high-traffic locations dramatically shortens this timeline.
The top ATM locations include bars and nightclubs, convenience stores, gas stations, laundromats, barbershops, smoke shops, and event venues. The best spots have high foot traffic, cash-dependent customers, and no nearby bank branches or competing ATMs.
Complete guide to startup costs, legal requirements, and scaling.
The 10 highest-performing business types for ATM operators.
Real revenue numbers and profit calculations at different scales.
50–300+ scored locations starting at $29. Delivered in 24 hours.