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Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians: Career Profile
Repair and adjust electrical and mechanical equipment of inboard or inboard-outboard boat engines.
What Do Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians Take On?
The day-to-day responsibilities of motorboat mechanics and service technicians cover:
- Start motors and monitor performance for signs of malfunctioning, such as smoke, excessive vibration, or misfiring.
- Document inspection and test results and work performed or to be performed.
- 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.
- Perform routine engine maintenance on motorboats, such as changing oil and filters.
- Replace parts, such as gears, magneto points, piston rings, or spark plugs, and reassemble engines.
- Idle motors and observe thermometers to determine the effectiveness of cooling systems.
- Inspect and repair or adjust propellers or propeller shafts.
What Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians Need to Know
Effective motorboat mechanics and service technicians rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Key Skills
The competencies that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Types of Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians Jobs
This career also goes by job titles like:
- Boat Mechanic
- Boat Motor Mechanic
- Boat Outboard Engine Mechanic
- Boat Rigger
- Boat Tester
- Certified Marine Mechanic
- Experimental Outboard Motors Mechanic
- Marine Diesel Mechanic
Job Outlook
There are roughly 318,768 motorboat mechanics and service technicians working in the United States today. Employment is projected to grow by +10.0% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $50,761 |
| Hourly median | $24.40 |
| 10th percentile | $28,458 |
| 25th percentile | $39,610 |
| 75th percentile | $61,912 |
| 90th percentile | $73,064 |
Wages vary widely based on experience, location, and industry.
Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians Salary by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $77,310 |
| Hawaii | $77,270 |
| Washington | $70,000 |
| California | $65,030 |
| Massachusetts | $64,310 |
| Connecticut | $62,620 |
| Nevada | $61,440 |
| Maryland | $61,190 |
| Virginia | $60,580 |
| Vermont | $60,520 |
| North Dakota | $60,080 |
| Maine | $59,490 |
| New York | $58,340 |
| Minnesota | $58,290 |
| Colorado | $58,120 |
| Oregon | $57,490 |
| Nebraska | $56,700 |
| New Hampshire | $56,660 |
| Montana | $56,150 |
| New Jersey | $56,020 |
| Rhode Island | $55,510 |
| Texas | $54,640 |
| Indiana | $53,590 |
| Florida | $52,990 |
| Georgia | $52,140 |
| Delaware | $50,290 |
| Tennessee | $49,910 |
| North Carolina | $49,630 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,310 |
| Illinois | $48,790 |
| Michigan | $48,600 |
| Iowa | $48,090 |
| Wisconsin | $48,080 |
| Louisiana | $47,820 |
| Kentucky | $47,550 |
| Ohio | $47,430 |
| South Dakota | $46,590 |
| Arizona | $46,420 |
| South Carolina | $45,770 |
| Utah | $45,290 |
| Oklahoma | $45,070 |
| Missouri | $45,020 |
| Alabama | $44,790 |
| Mississippi | $42,900 |
| Arkansas | $41,520 |
| Kansas | $41,290 |
| Idaho | $40,420 |
| New Mexico | $34,280 |
Where Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians Earn the Most
Earnings for motorboat mechanics and service technicians shift depending on where you work. Top regions by median wage:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $67,996 | 11.1% | 1.13 |
| New England | $60,981 | 9.6% | 2.49 |
| Middle Atlantic | $57,485 | 10.6% | 0.88 |
| Southwest | $51,963 | 6.5% | 0.54 |
| Southeast | $51,835 | 41.9% | 2.48 |
| Plains States | $51,768 | 5.4% | 0.88 |
| Rocky Mountains | $49,257 | 1.0% | 0.44 |
| Great Lakes | $48,787 | 13.8% | 1.38 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu, HI | HI | $77,270 | 180 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $73,620 | 170 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | WA | $70,000 | 550 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | CA | $68,640 | 430 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | MA | $67,440 | 150 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | CA | $66,770 | 150 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | CA | $65,760 | 30 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | CT | $65,200 | 130 |
Top Industries Employing Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians
Most motorboat mechanics and service technicians are found across these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Retail Trade | 8,730 | $51,290 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 6,250 | $51,940 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 4,180 | $56,700 |
| Manufacturing | 1,950 | $50,420 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 1,660 | $73,730 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 300 | $55,890 |
| Educational Services | 200 | $70,000 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 110 | $46,740 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Tech Stack
- Web page creation and editing software: Facebook (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
The Day-to-Day Environment
The work environment for motorboat mechanics and service technicians reflects the following characteristics:
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
- In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment
- Exposed to Contaminants
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
Getting Started in This Career
Typical motorboat mechanics and service technicians positions require some college, no degree as the typical entry-level education. The role falls in Medium Preparation Needed (Job Zone 3), signaling the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
Similar Occupations
- Marine Engineers and Naval Architects (Supplemental)
- Avionics Technicians (Supplemental)
- Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers (Primary-Short)
- Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment (Supplemental)
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians (Primary-Long)
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics (Primary-Short)
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists (Primary-Short)
- Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians (Supplemental)
Top Programs to Study For This Career
Future motorboat mechanics and service technicians commonly pursue programs in:
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians
2 programs across 1 majors
Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields
1 programs across 1 majors
References
Data on this page comes 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: 49-3051.00 (Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians).
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