Life As a Motorboat Mechanic or Service Technician
Position Description Repair and adjust electrical and mechanical equipment of inboard or inboard-outboard boat engines.
Life As a Motorboat Mechanic or Service Technician: What Do They Do?
- Replace parts, such as gears, magneto points, piston rings, or spark plugs, and reassemble engines.
- Disassemble and inspect motors to locate defective parts, using mechanic’s hand tools and gauges.
- Start motors and monitor performance for signs of malfunctioning, such as smoke, excessive vibration, or misfiring.
- Mount motors to boats and operate boats at various speeds on waterways to conduct operational tests.
- Repair engine mechanical equipment, such as power tilts, bilge pumps, or power take-offs.
- Idle motors and observe thermometers to determine the effectiveness of cooling systems.
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Things a Motorboat Mechanic or Service Technician Should Know How to Do
These are the skills Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians say are the most useful in their careers:
Repairing: Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Boat Rigger
- Outboard Motors Experimental Mechanic
- Outboard Technician
- Boat Outboard Engine Mechanic
- Certified Marine Mechanic
Motorboat Mechanic or Service Technician Job Outlook
In the United States, there were 23,400 jobs for Motorboat Mechanic or Service Technician in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Motorboat Mechanic or Service Technician. The BLS estimates 2,400 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Motorboat Mechanic or Service Technician are Utah, Alaska, and Oregon. Watch out if you plan on working in Kansas, Iowa, or Michigan. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians Make A Lot Of Money?
The average yearly salary of a Motorboat Mechanic or Service Technician ranges between $24,280 and $62,460.

Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians who work in Hawaii, North Dakota, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.
How much do Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $33,600 |
Alaska | $42,030 |
Arizona | $41,930 |
Arkansas | $35,720 |
California | $45,490 |
Colorado | $44,130 |
Connecticut | $49,720 |
Delaware | $39,500 |
Florida | $45,410 |
Georgia | $34,930 |
Hawaii | $64,610 |
Idaho | $32,770 |
Illinois | $36,230 |
Indiana | $33,860 |
Iowa | $38,730 |
Kansas | $31,420 |
Kentucky | $36,440 |
Louisiana | $41,410 |
Maine | $46,560 |
Maryland | $44,280 |
Massachusetts | $49,240 |
Michigan | $38,850 |
Minnesota | $44,100 |
Mississippi | $36,510 |
Missouri | $42,270 |
Montana | $37,940 |
Nebraska | $37,970 |
Nevada | $39,530 |
New Hampshire | $41,160 |
New Jersey | $48,110 |
New York | $41,360 |
North Carolina | $35,250 |
North Dakota | $53,030 |
Ohio | $38,900 |
Oklahoma | $36,640 |
Oregon | $39,770 |
Pennsylvania | $39,000 |
Rhode Island | $46,450 |
South Carolina | $39,140 |
South Dakota | $38,780 |
Tennessee | $37,100 |
Texas | $48,090 |
Utah | $47,640 |
Vermont | $38,570 |
Virginia | $44,490 |
Washington | $46,870 |
West Virginia | $33,230 |
Wisconsin | $40,820 |
What Tools do Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Inventory tracking software
How do I Become a Motorboat Mechanic or Service Technician?
Education needed to be a Motorboat Mechanic or Service Technician:

How Long Does it Take to Become a Motorboat Mechanic or Service Technician?

Where Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians Are Employed

Below are examples of industries where Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians work:

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being a Motorboat Mechanic or Service Technician may also be interested in:
- Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers
- Patternmakers, Wood
- Locksmiths and Safe Repairers
- Automotive Specialty Technicians
References:
Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Nigel Sandridge via Public domain
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