Small Engine Mechanics Technology
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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:
- 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:
- 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:
- 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 | — |
| 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% |
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:
| 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).
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.
Related Programs
You may also be interested in these closely related fields of study:
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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.
- College Factual
- National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)
- O*NET Online
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard
More about our data sources and methodologies.