What You Need to Know About 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.
A Day in the Life of an Outdoor Power Equipment & Small Engine Mechanic
- Replace motors.
- Adjust points, valves, carburetors, distributors, and spark plug gaps, using feeler gauges.
- Repair and maintain gasoline engines used to power equipment such as portable saws, lawn mowers, generators, and compressors.
- Reassemble engines after repair or maintenance work is complete.
- Repair or replace defective parts such as magnetos, water pumps, gears, pistons, and carburetors, using hand tools.
- Grind, ream, rebore, and re-tap parts to obtain specified clearances, using grinders, lathes, taps, reamers, boring machines, and micrometers.
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Things an Outdoor Power Equipment & Small Engine Mechanic Should Know How to Do
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.
Related Job Titles
- Chain Saw Mechanic
- Gas Golf Cart Repairer
- Engine Mechanic
- Small Engine Specialist
- Chainsaw Technician
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. The BLS estimates 4,400 yearly job openings in this field.
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.
Salary for an Outdoor Power Equipment & Small Engine Mechanic
The salary for Outdoor Power Equipment and Small Engine Mechanics ranges between about $22,670 and $54,210 a year.
Outdoor Power Equipment and Small Engine Mechanics who work in Hawaii, Connecticut, or New Jersey, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Outdoor Power Equipment and Small Engine Mechanics in different U.S. states.
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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Outdoor Power Equipment and Small Engine Mechanics
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Outdoor Power Equipment and Small Engine Mechanics may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Web browser software
- RepairTRAX
- Sale processing software
How to Become an Outdoor Power Equipment & Small Engine Mechanic
Individuals working as an Outdoor Power Equipment and Small Engine Mechanic have obtained the following education levels:
How Long Does it Take to Become an Outdoor Power Equipment & Small Engine Mechanic?
Where Outdoor Power Equipment and Small Engine Mechanics Work
Outdoor Power Equipment and Small Engine Mechanics work in the following industries:
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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