Life As an Outdoor Power Equipment and Small Engine Mechanic
Job Description & Duties Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul small engines used to power lawn mowers, chain saws, recreational sporting equipment and related equipment.
List of Outdoor Power Equipment & Small Engine Mechanic Job Duties
- Obtain problem descriptions from customers, and prepare cost estimates for repairs.
- Grind, ream, rebore, and re-tap parts to obtain specified clearances, using grinders, lathes, taps, reamers, boring machines, and micrometers.
- Sell parts and equipment.
- Reassemble engines after repair or maintenance work is complete.
- Remove engines from equipment, and position and bolt engines to repair stands.
- Repair or replace defective parts such as magnetos, water pumps, gears, pistons, and carburetors, using hand tools.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as an Outdoor Power Equipment & Small Engine Mechanic?
Outdoor Power Equipment and Small Engine Mechanics state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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 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.
Equipment Selection: Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Types of Outdoor Power Equipment & Small Engine Mechanic Jobs
- Power Wheelchair Mechanic
- Outdoor Power Equipment Service Technician
- Garden Tractor Mechanic
- Lawnmower Repair Mechanic
- Garden Machinery Mechanic
What Kind of Outdoor Power Equipment & Small Engine Mechanic Job Opportunities Are There?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 37,600 jobs in the United States for Outdoor Power Equipment and Small Engine Mechanic. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 10.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 3,900 new jobs for Outdoor Power Equipment and Small Engine Mechanic by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 4,400 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Outdoor Power Equipment & Small Engine Mechanic are Utah, Tennessee, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Vermont, or Missouri. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does an Outdoor Power Equipment & Small Engine Mechanic Make?
The average yearly salary of an Outdoor Power Equipment & Small Engine Mechanic ranges between $22,670 and $54,210.

Outdoor Power Equipment and Small Engine Mechanics who work in Hawaii, Connecticut, or New Jersey, make the highest salaries.
How much do Outdoor Power Equipment and Small Engine Mechanics make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $34,700 |
Alaska | $43,510 |
Arizona | $35,160 |
Arkansas | $29,280 |
California | $39,390 |
Colorado | $40,000 |
Connecticut | $48,540 |
Delaware | $41,870 |
Florida | $36,550 |
Georgia | $36,910 |
Hawaii | $48,610 |
Idaho | $34,230 |
Illinois | $35,460 |
Indiana | $34,310 |
Iowa | $35,000 |
Kansas | $35,060 |
Kentucky | $29,710 |
Louisiana | $34,640 |
Maine | $36,990 |
Maryland | $41,650 |
Massachusetts | $43,090 |
Michigan | $35,960 |
Minnesota | $39,970 |
Mississippi | $31,850 |
Missouri | $39,390 |
Montana | $36,210 |
Nebraska | $35,100 |
Nevada | $41,410 |
New Hampshire | $40,590 |
New Jersey | $44,800 |
New Mexico | $35,090 |
New York | $41,630 |
North Carolina | $36,350 |
North Dakota | $35,970 |
Ohio | $32,950 |
Oklahoma | $29,000 |
Oregon | $39,180 |
Pennsylvania | $33,500 |
Rhode Island | $38,290 |
South Carolina | $34,400 |
South Dakota | $32,410 |
Tennessee | $31,600 |
Texas | $38,340 |
Utah | $35,800 |
Vermont | $36,550 |
Virginia | $37,810 |
Washington | $41,270 |
West Virginia | $29,310 |
Wisconsin | $35,060 |
Wyoming | $40,070 |
What Tools do Outdoor Power Equipment and Small Engine Mechanics Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Outdoor Power Equipment and Small Engine Mechanics:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Web browser software
- RepairTRAX
- Sale processing software
How to Become an Outdoor Power Equipment & Small Engine Mechanic
Learn what Outdoor Power Equipment and Small Engine Mechanic education requirements there are.

What work experience do I need to become an Outdoor Power Equipment & Small Engine Mechanic?

Where Outdoor Power Equipment and Small Engine Mechanics Are Employed

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Related Careers
Those interested in being an Outdoor Power Equipment and Small Engine Mechanic may also be interested in:
- Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
Those who work as an Outdoor Power Equipment and Small Engine Mechanic sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Nigel Sandridge via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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