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Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics: Job Description
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul small engines used to power lawn mowers, chain saws, recreational sporting equipment, and related equipment.
What Tasks Do Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics Perform?
Typical responsibilities of outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics include:
- Record repairs made, time spent, and parts used.
- Test and inspect engines to determine malfunctions, to locate missing and broken parts, and to verify repairs, using diagnostic instruments.
- Dismantle engines, using hand tools, and examine parts for defects.
- Repair and maintain gasoline engines used to power equipment such as portable saws, lawn mowers, generators, and compressors.
- Adjust points, valves, carburetors, distributors, and spark plug gaps, using feeler gauges.
- Repair or replace defective parts such as magnetos, water pumps, gears, pistons, and carburetors, using hand tools.
- Perform routine maintenance such as cleaning and oiling parts, honing cylinders, and tuning ignition systems.
- Reassemble engines after repair or maintenance work is complete.
Skills and Knowledge
Effective outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics draw on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
The competencies most important for this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Core Knowledge
Other Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics Job Titles
Common job titles for this role include:
- Chain Saw Mechanic
- Chainsaw Technician
- Edge Trimmer Mechanic
- Electric Golf Cart Repairer
- Electric Wheelchair Repairer
- Engine Mechanic
- Engine Service Repairer
- Engine Specialist
How Many Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics Are There?
There are roughly 270,786 outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to grow by +1.2% over the projection horizon.
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics Pay
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $45,036 |
| Hourly median | $21.65 |
| 10th percentile | $27,728 |
| 25th percentile | $36,382 |
| 75th percentile | $53,690 |
| 90th percentile | $62,344 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics Salary by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $57,060 |
| New Jersey | $55,760 |
| Connecticut | $54,110 |
| Wyoming | $53,910 |
| Hawaii | $52,820 |
| Washington | $52,260 |
| Rhode Island | $50,830 |
| Alaska | $50,680 |
| New Hampshire | $50,610 |
| Minnesota | $50,070 |
| California | $49,780 |
| Idaho | $49,500 |
| North Dakota | $49,330 |
| Colorado | $49,110 |
| Missouri | $48,970 |
| Maryland | $48,580 |
| Oregon | $47,940 |
| Delaware | $47,930 |
| Maine | $47,860 |
| New York | $47,770 |
| Wisconsin | $46,830 |
| Montana | $46,740 |
| Indiana | $46,710 |
| Texas | $46,620 |
| North Carolina | $46,430 |
| Ohio | $46,190 |
| Tennessee | $46,130 |
| Illinois | $45,940 |
| Florida | $45,110 |
| Michigan | $44,980 |
| Virginia | $44,940 |
| Oklahoma | $44,870 |
| Nebraska | $44,820 |
| Iowa | $44,720 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,520 |
| Kansas | $44,230 |
| Utah | $44,140 |
| South Carolina | $43,970 |
| Arizona | $43,780 |
| New Mexico | $43,160 |
| Georgia | $42,820 |
| Nevada | $42,360 |
| Louisiana | $42,230 |
| Kentucky | $41,660 |
| Vermont | $41,600 |
| South Dakota | $40,730 |
| Alabama | $39,260 |
| West Virginia | $37,990 |
| Arkansas | $37,760 |
| Mississippi | $36,720 |
| Guam | $34,710 |
| Puerto Rico | $22,840 |
Pay by U.S. Region
Earnings for outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics vary by region. The following regions pay the most:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| New England | $52,402 | 4.6% | 1.21 |
| Far Western US | $49,735 | 12.1% | 0.77 |
| Middle Atlantic | $47,918 | 12.8% | 0.92 |
| Rocky Mountains | $47,693 | 4.1% | 1.10 |
| Plains States | $46,823 | 8.2% | 1.31 |
| Great Lakes | $45,996 | 16.0% | 1.38 |
| Southwest | $45,719 | 9.9% | 0.80 |
| Southeast | $44,047 | 31.9% | 1.39 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | CT | $67,740 | 100 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $59,420 | 180 |
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | HI | $59,070 | 50 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | MA | $58,480 | 260 |
| Rochester, MN | MN | $57,780 | 60 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | NY | $57,670 | 950 |
| Worcester, MA | MA | $57,290 | 60 |
| Salinas, CA | CA | $57,250 | 40 |
Top Industries Employing Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics
The largest employers of outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics are concentrated in the following sectors:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Retail Trade | 14,520 | $44,460 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 5,820 | $49,870 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 5,050 | $46,800 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 2,700 | $44,010 |
| Wholesale Trade | 1,730 | $48,020 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 1,270 | $48,880 |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 490 | $45,930 |
| Construction | 330 | $52,000 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Software Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics Use
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
What the Workplace Is Like
The work environment for outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics tends to involve the following characteristics:
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Spend Time Standing
- Contact With Others
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Freedom to Make Decisions
Getting Started in This Career
Typical outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. This occupation sits in Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
Similar Occupations
- Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers (Primary-Short)
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians (Supplemental)
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics (Primary-Long)
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists (Primary-Short)
- Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians (Primary-Long)
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines (Primary-Short)
- Rail Car Repairers (Supplemental)
- Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians (Primary-Short)
Top Programs to Study For This Career
Aspiring outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics typically earn programs in:
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians
1 programs across 1 majors
Sources
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: 49-3053.00 (Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics).
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