How to Pay Your Cell Phone Repair Technicians for In-Store and On-Site Jobs

Hey, Repair Shop Owners!

Paying your cell phone repair technicians fairly can be tricky, especially when they work both in-store and on-site. One minute they’re fixing smartphones at your repair shop, the next they’re driving across town for a house call. So, the big question is: Should you pay them the same for both?

Some shop owners pay hourly, while others offer commissions for field jobs. But what’s the best method? What’s the best per-hour salary you can pay to your repairman? How can cell phone repair shop software be helpful in this regard?

Let’s be real—most cell phone technicians think they deserve more. That’s normal. But your payment plan should be fair in both cases. In the US, a cell phone repair technician earns $10.82 to $24.28 hourly. If you pay hourly in-store, you can keep that for on-site jobs.         

In addition, for on-site visits, some owners offer 50% of the first hour and 25% after that. This can add up to $40+ per hour, which is great! But not every tech sees it that way. Some only see what the customer pays—and forget about your overhead, taxes, fuel, and business expenses. That’s where clear communication is key.

Set the rules early, stick to them, and make sure your team understands how the business works. Use RepairDesk employee management software to log hours, assign tasks, and pay based on job type. You can even set different commission levels for different job categories. So, there will be no more guesswork or Excel sheets.

If your technicians are using their own car, consider giving them a gas allowance. It would be even better if you could provide a company car. Some owners even buy lunch or offer small perks instead of raising hourly pay. Because it’s not always about money, sometimes it’s about feeling valued.

However, if you are not covering fuel costs, it’s fair enough to pay a bit extra for travel time. But you don’t have to break the bank. You can also prefer to keep it simple—same pay no matter where the work happens. It helps you keep payroll clean and avoid any issues and arguments.

In the end, you must use repair shop management software. It helps you schedule customer appointments, send quotes and estimates, and send repair status updates in real-time. So, if you want to keep your workflow smooth, it’s a must-have.

Your goal is to keep your team members motivated and your costs controlled. Your techs don’t want to get rich all the time, but they need to feel respected. So, fair pay and open communication go a long way. A happy technician means better service and more repeat business.

Pay smart, track better, and grow faster with RepairDesk.