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Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics in South Carolina

Thinking about a career as an Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics in South Carolina? Here’s what the data says. Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul small engines used to power lawn mowers, chain saws, recreational sporting equipment, and related equipment.

What do Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics Make in South Carolina?

For outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics working in South Carolina, wages run about $43,970 per year (or roughly $21.14/hour).Earnings range from $28,650 at the 10th percentile to $62,320 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$28,650	$13.77
25th percentile	$33,940	$16.32
Median (50th)	$43,970	$21.14
75th percentile	$52,270	$25.13
90th percentile	$62,320	$29.96

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in South Carolina relative to the national average — is 1.18, suggesting that outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics are more concentrated here than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics earn a median of $45,036 per year ($21.65/hour), lower than the South Carolina median.

Employment Outlook

There are roughly 270,786 outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics nationwide. In South Carolina alone, approximately 590 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 450 outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics.

Top South Carolina Metros for Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics

The metro areas below employ the most outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics in South Carolina.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Charleston-North Charleston, SC	110	$49,510
Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC	90	$44,520
Columbia, SC	60	$41,600
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC	60	$41,650
Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC	60	$39,610

Top States for Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics Employment

The table below shows the states where the most outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics work.

State	Number Employed
Florida	3,520
California	2,580
Texas	2,210
Michigan	1,760
North Carolina	1,730
New York	1,680
Pennsylvania	1,620
Virginia	1,320
Wisconsin	1,130
Ohio	1,010
Indiana	960
Georgia	890
Tennessee	880
Minnesota	760
New Jersey	710
Arizona	680
Washington	650
Illinois	630
South Carolina	590
Colorado	550

Highest-Paying States for Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics

These states pay the most for outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics.

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

Skills

Key outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

The abilities that matter most for outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Common tasks 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.
• Replace motors.
• Obtain problem descriptions from customers, and prepare cost estimates for repairs.
• Show customers how to maintain equipment.
• Remove engines from equipment, and position and bolt engines to repair stands.

Work Activities

• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Handling and Moving Objects
• Getting Information
• Performing General Physical Activities
• Working with Computers
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
• Controlling Machines and Processes
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment

Tools & Technology

Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Programs that train for this career include:

• Vehicle Maintenance & Repair

Related Careers

Related occupations to outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics include:

• Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers
• Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
• Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
• Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
• Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians
• Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines

Also Known As

Chain Saw Mechanic, Chainsaw Technician, Edge Trimmer Mechanic, Electric Golf Cart Repairer, Electric Wheelchair Repairer, Engine Mechanic, Engine Service Repairer, Engine Specialist, Garden Equipment Mechanic, Garden Implement Mechanic, Garden Machinery Mechanic, Garden Tractor Mechanic, Gas Engine Mechanic, Gas Engine Repairer, Gas Golf Cart Repairer.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 49-3053.00