---

Small Engine Mechanics Technology

Types of Degrees Small Engine Mechanics Technology Majors Are Earning

Students pursuing Small Engine Mechanics Technology may pursue 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

Studies in Small Engine Mechanics Technology develop 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

The skill set emphasized 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	—
Facebook	Web page creation and editing software	—
CDI Electronics M.E.D.S.	Analytical or scientific software	—
Microsoft Word	Word processing software	—
Outboard engine diagnostic software	Analytical or scientific software	—
Rinda Technologies DIACOM Marine	Analytical or scientific software	—
Inventory tracking software	Inventory management software	—
Microsoft PowerPoint	Presentation software	—
Engine diagnostic scanners	Analytical or scientific software	—
RepairTRAX	Data base user interface and query software	—
Ideal Computer Systems Ideal OPE	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
• Boat Outboard Engine Mechanic
• Marine Technician
• Marine Propulsion Technician
• Marine Service Technician (Marine Service Tech)
• Certified Marine Mechanic
• Boat Motor Mechanic
• Outboard Motors Experimental Mechanic
• Service Technician
• Marine Diesel Mechanic
• Outboard Motor Tester
• Outboard Motor Mechanic
• Boat Tester
• Marine Machinery 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?

Federal data tracks median earnings of Small Engine Mechanics Technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise 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:

Program	Annual Degrees Awarded
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technology/Technician, General	74,567
Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician	41,728
Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician	9,859
Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician	7,637
Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician	5,464
Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician	3,372
Medium/Heavy Vehicle and Truck Technology/Technician	2,100
Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair Technology/Technician	896
Marine Maintenance/Fitter and Ship Repair Technology/Technician	799
Avionics Maintenance Technology/Technician	719
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technology/Technician, General	630
High Performance and Custom Engine Technician/Mechanic	470

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.