Job Facts^*
Suggested Studies	Certificate or Higher
Salary, Typical	$35,520
Salary Range	$22k - $56k
Number of Jobs, 2011	16,770
Job Openings per Year (est.)	960

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Marine Mechanic Training and Jobs

Schools and Degrees

Programs for marine mechanics are offered by several professional-technical schools and two-year colleges. Most programs offer a combination of class instruction and hands-on practice. Two-year programs usually lead to an associate’s degree. One can also opt for shorter certificate programs.

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Training and Education

Employees often obtain long-term on-the-job training before starting. The percentage of marine mechanics with college degrees is 5%. Workers with some college (less than a bachelor's degree) represent about 32% of the total. Some employees, about 64%, had a high-school education.

Job Overview

Marine mechanics repair the mechanical and electrical equipment of inboard and outboard boat engines. Most of these repairs are carried out at docks and marinas. The mechanics may also work on marine plumbing, propellers, steering mechanisms and other boat equipment. Some of the repairs may be simple like just replacing a spark plug, while some may entail taking the engine apart and repairing it completely.

Job Requirements

While hiring trainee mechanics, employers usually prefer graduates from professional training programs with mechanical aptitude and knowledge of small 2 and 4 stroke engines. Background knowledge of basic electronics is vital. High school courses in small engine repair, automobile mechanics, science and business math are all helpful. Employers also send marine mechanics to conferences and special courses organized by motorboat manufacturers and distributors. Due to the increasing complexity and advancement in the field of motorboat mechanics, it is extremely important to be up-to-date with the latest techniques.

Even though majority of the employers prefer candidates with degrees in motorboat mechanics, there are those who recruit less educated applicants possessing the adequate writing, reading and arithmetic skills. It is essential for a marine mechanic to have good technical skills. Hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills are also important in this profession. Due to the physical nature of the job, it is also necessary for marine mechanics to be in good physical condition.

Nature of Work

The various duties performed by a marine mechanic include checking the motor for mechanical, fuel or electrical problems, referring to service manuals for details on servicing, making repairs, replacing parts such as gears, piston rings and spark plugs and writing test reports to highlight the condition of the engine.

Marine mechanics usually work at repair shops that are well lighted and ventilated. However, surroundings can be a bit noisy. They often have to work outdoors while repairing small boats or larger crafts. Most marine mechanics work 40 hours a week, though they may sometimes have to work longer hours and on weekends. About 20 percent of marine mechanics are self-employed.

Area Job Conditions

Popular locations for marine mechanics include Sandusky (Ohio), Barnstable (Massachusetts), and Ocean City (New Jersey). Fewer are found in Phoenix (Arizona), Las Vegas (Nevada), and Chicago (Illinois).

Workers looking for high salaries should look at Chicago (Illinois), San Francisco (California), and Nassau (New York), and should avoid Athens (Georgia), Cincinnati (Ohio), and Green Bay (Wisconsin).

Part-Time and Self Employment

Part-time marine mechanics are 11% of all surveyed. Some workers, about 23%, work for themselves.

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Marine Mechanics by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)

In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.

Alabama

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Mobile	$27,000	60	+507%

Arizona

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Flagstaff	$38,000	30	+931%

California

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Los Angeles	$36,000	160	-33%
Oakland	$48,000	120	+105%
Riverside	$36,000	50	-29%
San Diego	$39,000	120	+56%
Santa Ana	$35,000	70	-18%

Connecticut

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Bridgeport	$43,000	140	+467%
New Haven	$44,000	40	+156%
Norwich	$46,000	80	+1085%

Delaware

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Wilmington	$39,000	50	+167%

Florida

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Fort Lauderdale	$41,000	490	+1103%
Jacksonville	$36,000	130	+271%
Miami	$40,000	130	+126%
Naples	$38,000	50	+717%
Orlando	$40,000	180	+203%
Palm Bay	$51,000	70	+527%
Port St Lucie	$42,000	90	+1275%
Punta Gorda	$35,000	40	+1953%
Tampa	$42,000	340	+407%
West Palm Beach	$44,000	100	+232%

Georgia

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Atlanta	$42,000	110	-19%
Gainesville	$37,000	70	+1806%
Savannah	$35,000	50	+501%

Illinois

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Chicago	$51,000	140	-37%

Indiana

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Indianapolis	$30,000	110	+110%
Michigan City	$34,000	30	+1360%

Kentucky

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Louisville	$33,000	60	+69%

Maine

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Portland	$37,000	150	+1221%

Massachusetts

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Barnstable Town	$45,000	270	+4899%
Boston	$50,000	300	+193%
New Bedford	$41,000	130	+3728%

Minnesota

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Minneapolis	$34,000	200	+91%

Missouri

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
St Louis	$31,000	50	-36%

New Jersey

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Ocean City	$46,000	70	+3293%

New York

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Nassau	$49,000	360	+384%

North Carolina

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Hickory		40	+387%
Wilmington	$40,000	90	+1087%

Ohio

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Sandusky	$30,000	80	+4567%
Toledo	$36,000	170	+904%

Pennsylvania

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Philadelphia	$34,000	40	-64%

Rhode Island

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Providence	$42,000	220	+577%

South Carolina

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Charleston	$39,000	60	+263%

Tennessee

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Chattanooga	$35,000	40	+208%

Texas

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Corpus Christi	$36,000	60	+496%
Fort Worth	$43,000	90	+78%
Houston	$35,000	170	+10%
Longview	$31,000	30	+479%
Sherman	$34,000	50	+2314%

Vermont

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Burlington	$35,000	50	+716%

Virginia

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Richmond	$32,000	50	+39%
Virginia Beach	$38,000	160	+261%

Washington

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Mount Vernon	$39,000	60	+2583%
Seattle	$41,000	400	+385%

Wisconsin

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Oshkosh	$35,000	30	+534%

^*FOOTNOTES: Job Facts salary and numbers data is based on US Department of Labor Statistics data for 2011. Other data on page may be from earlier years. Typical salary is given as median salary, where 50% in the job make more and 50% less. Salary range is Job Hunt's estimates of typical starting salary as being at the 10th percentile of reported pay and typical top end salary, for the most senior workers, as being at the 90th. Job openings is an estimate of new jobs every year due to growth plus those leaving the field. Where NA is given data is not available. Suggested studies is based on Job Hunt research, suggesting a minimum degree level that is judged to offer the best opportunities for entry-level employment. This Motorboat Mechanics schools and career page was originally researched by CityTownInfo.com.

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