Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics: Career Profile
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul small engines used to power lawn mowers, chain saws, recreational sporting equipment, and related equipment.
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What Tasks Do Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics Perform?
The day-to-day responsibilities of outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics span:
- Record repairs made, time spent, and parts used.
- Test and inspect engines to determine malfunctions, to locate missing and broken parts, and to verify repairs, using diagnostic instruments.
- Dismantle engines, using hand tools, and examine parts for defects.
- Repair and maintain gasoline engines used to power equipment such as portable saws, lawn mowers, generators, and compressors.
- Adjust points, valves, carburetors, distributors, and spark plug gaps, using feeler gauges.
- Repair or replace defective parts such as magnetos, water pumps, gears, pistons, and carburetors, using hand tools.
- Perform routine maintenance such as cleaning and oiling parts, honing cylinders, and tuning ignition systems.
- Reassemble engines after repair or maintenance work is complete.
Key Skills and Knowledge
Successful outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics combine a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Most Important Skills
The abilities most central to this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Types of Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics Jobs
This career also goes by job titles like:
- Chain Saw Mechanic
- Chainsaw Technician
- Edge Trimmer Mechanic
- Electric Golf Cart Repairer
- Electric Wheelchair Repairer
- Engine Mechanic
- Engine Service Repairer
- Engine Specialist
Employment and Demand
There are about 270,786 outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics working in the United States today. Demand is forecast to grow by +1.2% over the projection horizon.
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics Pay
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $45,036 |
| Hourly median | $21.65 |
| 10th percentile | $27,728 |
| 25th percentile | $36,382 |
| 75th percentile | $53,690 |
| 90th percentile | $62,344 |
Compensation varies based on experience, location, and industry.
Pay by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $57,060 |
| New Jersey | $55,760 |
| Connecticut | $54,110 |
| Wyoming | $53,910 |
| Hawaii | $52,820 |
| Washington | $52,260 |
| Rhode Island | $50,830 |
| Alaska | $50,680 |
| New Hampshire | $50,610 |
| Minnesota | $50,070 |
| California | $49,780 |
| Idaho | $49,500 |
| North Dakota | $49,330 |
| Colorado | $49,110 |
| Missouri | $48,970 |
| Maryland | $48,580 |
| Oregon | $47,940 |
| Delaware | $47,930 |
| Maine | $47,860 |
| New York | $47,770 |
| Wisconsin | $46,830 |
| Montana | $46,740 |
| Indiana | $46,710 |
| Texas | $46,620 |
| North Carolina | $46,430 |
| Ohio | $46,190 |
| Tennessee | $46,130 |
| Illinois | $45,940 |
| Florida | $45,110 |
| Michigan | $44,980 |
| Virginia | $44,940 |
| Oklahoma | $44,870 |
| Nebraska | $44,820 |
| Iowa | $44,720 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,520 |
| Kansas | $44,230 |
| Utah | $44,140 |
| South Carolina | $43,970 |
| Arizona | $43,780 |
| New Mexico | $43,160 |
| Georgia | $42,820 |
| Nevada | $42,360 |
| Louisiana | $42,230 |
| Kentucky | $41,660 |
| Vermont | $41,600 |
| South Dakota | $40,730 |
| Alabama | $39,260 |
| West Virginia | $37,990 |
| Arkansas | $37,760 |
| Mississippi | $36,720 |
| Guam | $34,710 |
| Puerto Rico | $22,840 |
Pay by U.S. Region
Compensation for outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics differ across the country. Top regions by median wage:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| New England | $52,402 | 4.6% | 1.21 |
| Far Western US | $49,735 | 12.1% | 0.77 |
| Middle Atlantic | $47,918 | 12.8% | 0.92 |
| Rocky Mountains | $47,693 | 4.1% | 1.10 |
| Plains States | $46,823 | 8.2% | 1.31 |
| Great Lakes | $45,996 | 16.0% | 1.38 |
| Southwest | $45,719 | 9.9% | 0.80 |
| Southeast | $44,047 | 31.9% | 1.39 |
Where the Jobs Cluster
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | CT | $67,740 | 100 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $59,420 | 180 |
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | HI | $59,070 | 50 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | MA | $58,480 | 260 |
| Rochester, MN | MN | $57,780 | 60 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | NY | $57,670 | 950 |
| Worcester, MA | MA | $57,290 | 60 |
| Salinas, CA | CA | $57,250 | 40 |
Top Industries Employing Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics
Most outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics are concentrated in the following sectors:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Retail Trade | 14,520 | $44,460 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 5,820 | $49,870 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 5,050 | $46,800 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 2,700 | $44,010 |
| Wholesale Trade | 1,730 | $48,020 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 1,270 | $48,880 |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 490 | $45,930 |
| Construction | 330 | $52,000 |
Below are examples of industries where outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics work:
Tech Stack
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
What the Workplace Is Like
Daily working conditions for outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics tends to involve the following characteristics:
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Spend Time Standing
- Contact With Others
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Freedom to Make Decisions
How to Become Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics
Typical outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. This career aligns with Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
Similar Occupations
- Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers (Primary-Short)
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians (Supplemental)
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics (Primary-Long)
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists (Primary-Short)
- Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians (Primary-Long)
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines (Primary-Short)
- Rail Car Repairers (Supplemental)
- Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians (Primary-Short)
Degree Programs
Aspiring outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics commonly pursue programs in:
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians
1 programs across 1 majors
References
Statistics shown above are sourced from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 49-3053.00 (Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics).
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