Find Affordable College Courses

What Do You Want to Study?

Small Engine Mechanics Technology

Small Engine Mechanics Technology

Types of Degrees Small Engine Mechanics Technology Majors Are Earning

Students pursuing Small Engine Mechanics Technology can earn degrees at several award levels.

Award Level Graduates
Certificate 88
Associate’s Degree 29
Master’s Degree 87

What Small Engine Mechanics Technology Majors Need to Know

Coursework for Small Engine Mechanics Technology build a specific mix of knowledge, skills, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in occupations that Small Engine Mechanics Technology graduates commonly enter.

Knowledge Areas

According to O*NET, a major in Small Engine Mechanics Technology emphasizes the following knowledge areas: Knowledge areas for Small Engine Mechanics Technology majors

  • Mechanical — Importance 4.6 / 5; level 6.0 / 7.
  • Customer and Personal Service — Importance 3.7 / 5; level 4.0 / 7.
  • English Language — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.2 / 7.
  • Computers and Electronics — Importance 3.3 / 5; level 3.4 / 7.
  • Engineering and Technology — Importance 3.2 / 5; level 3.6 / 7.

Importance is rated 1–5; level is 1–7. Source: ONET Online — weighted across related occupations.*

Skills

Skills built by a Small Engine Mechanics Technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations: Skills for Small Engine Mechanics Technology majors

  • Repairing — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.
  • Equipment Maintenance — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 3.6 / 7.
  • Troubleshooting — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.7 / 7.
  • Operation and Control — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.2 / 7.
  • Operations Monitoring — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.2 / 7.

Abilities

Innate abilities most relevant to Small Engine Mechanics Technology careers — again drawn from O*NET surveys of related occupations: Abilities for Small Engine Mechanics Technology majors

  • Arm-Hand Steadiness — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 3.1 / 7.
  • Finger Dexterity — Importance 3.7 / 5; level 3.6 / 7.
  • Manual Dexterity — Importance 3.7 / 5; level 3.1 / 7.
  • Problem Sensitivity — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 3.2 / 7.
  • Control Precision — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 3.5 / 7.

Common Job Activities

Day-to-day, Small Engine Mechanics Technology graduates report doing:

Activity Frequency / Importance
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment 4.3 / 7
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge 4.2 / 7
Handling and Moving Objects 4.0 / 7
Making Decisions and Solving Problems 4.0 / 7
Getting Information 4.0 / 7
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events 3.9 / 7
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment 3.9 / 7
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials 3.8 / 7
Performing General Physical Activities 3.8 / 7
Controlling Machines and Processes 3.7 / 7

Technology Skills Used on the Job

Most frequently-cited tools used by Small Engine Mechanics Technology professionals:

Tool / Software Category In-Demand
Microsoft Office software Office suite software
Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Word Word processing software
Rinda Technologies DIACOM Marine Analytical or scientific software
Facebook Web page creation and editing software
Inventory tracking software Inventory management software
Engine diagnostic scanners Analytical or scientific software
CDI Electronics M.E.D.S. Analytical or scientific software
Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation software
Outboard engine diagnostic software Analytical or scientific software
VersaDyne small engine test system Analytical or scientific software
Smart Equipment Repair Data base user interface and query software

Source: ONET Online technology skills, weighted across related occupations.*

Sample Job Titles

Real job postings for Small Engine Mechanics Technology graduates include:

  • Mechanic
  • Motorboat Mechanic
  • Marine Propulsion Technician
  • Outboard Motors Experimental Mechanic
  • Boat Rigger
  • Service Technician
  • Outboard Motor Mechanic
  • Marine Technician
  • Outboard Technician
  • Boat Outboard Engine Mechanic
  • Boat Tester
  • Certified Marine Mechanic
  • Marine Service Technician (Marine Service Tech)
  • Outboard Motor Tester
  • Boat Mechanic

Education Typically Required

Across the occupations open to Small Engine Mechanics Technology graduates, the typical level of education actually held by current workers is distributed as:

Education Level Share of Workers
High school diploma or equivalent 34.8%
Postsecondary certificate 34.8%
Some college courses 18.8%
Less than a high school diploma 9.2%
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) 2.5%
Education levels for Small Engine Mechanics Technology majors

Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*

Who Is Earning a Degree in Small Engine Mechanics Technology?

Gender Distribution

This field skews predominantly male, with men earning 91.2% of Small Engine Mechanics Technology degrees.

Gender Graduates Share
Women 18 8.8%
Men 186 91.2%

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

At the national level, the racial-ethnic distribution of Small Engine Mechanics Technology graduates is as follows:

Racial-ethnic diversity of Small Engine Mechanics Technology graduates
Race / Ethnicity Graduates Share
White 161 78.9%
Asian 3 1.5%
Hispanic or Latino 19 9.3%
Black or African American 5 2.5%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 2 1.0%
Two or More Races 4 2.0%
Race Unknown 10 4.9%

See minority definition below.

How Much Do Small Engine Mechanics Technology Graduates Earn?

College Scorecard reports median earnings of Small Engine Mechanics Technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb steadily as graduates gain experience and move into mid-career roles.

Years Out Median Earnings
1 year $37,744
4 years $43,612
5 years $49,558

By year 5 out, median earnings rise to $49,558 — roughly 31% above the 1-year mark.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.

Is a Degree in Small Engine Mechanics Technology Worth It?

Looking purely at the federal earnings tracker, Small Engine Mechanics Technology graduates earn a median of $43,612 four years after completion — roughly 15% above the national median for workers with only a high school diploma (~$38,000).

4-year median earnings vs national baseline for Small Engine Mechanics Technology

ROI estimate compares the program’s 4-yr median earnings against the 2023 BLS CPS median earnings for high-school-only workers. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard + BLS Current Population Survey.

You may also be interested in these closely related fields of study:

Program CIP Code
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technology/Technician, General 47.06
Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician 47.0608
Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician 47.0607
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technology/Technician 47.0614
Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician 47.0603
Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician 47.0604
Avionics Maintenance Technology/Technician 47.0609
Bicycle Mechanics and Repair Technology/Technician 47.0610
Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician 47.0605
Engine Machinist 47.0615
High Performance and Custom Engine Technician/Mechanic 47.0617
Marine Maintenance/Fitter and Ship Repair Technology/Technician 47.0616

References

The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students and international students. This number is then divided by the total number of students to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Find Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited colleges across the U.S.