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Small Engine Techs Job Overview

Small engine techs, also known as small engine mechanics, service and repair a variety of power equipment including chainsaws, lawnmowers, motorboats and motorcycles. Small engine technicians often specialize in a particular type of equipment, however they may also service and repair closely-related equipment. They use a variety of techniques to diagnose problems. They replace or repair defective components. They also take apart engines and look for signs of wear and tear. Small engine techs perform routine maintenance on engines and they sometimes perform a complete engine overhaul.

Small Engine Techs Schools and Degrees

Due to the complexity of motor boats and motorcycles, some employers prefer candidates that have completed a formal training program. However, most small engine mechanics acquire their skills through on-the-job training or while being employed in related occupations. It may take three to five years of on-the-job training before a small engine tech becomes competent in all the elements of repairing motorboat and motorcycle engines. Due to less moving parts, less training time is required for outdoor equipment. Mechanics that seek to perform warranty work for manufactures and insurance companies are typically required to take manufacturer training programs.

Job Requirements

Small engine techs need the skills to diagnose fuel, mechanical and electrical problems and to make repairs. Small engine mechanics should have good problem solving abilities and be detailed oriented. They need the skills to use computerized engine analyzers, ammeters, voltmeters and compression gauges and other types of testing devices. Supervisor and management positions usually require leadership ability and experience. Those with experience and sales ability may become sales representatives.

Nature of Work

Small engine technicians typically work in well lighted and ventilated repair shops. Motorboat mechanics sometimes have to work outdoors in harsh weather conditions while repairing engines. They might also have to work in awkward or cramped positions in order to reach the boat's engine. Small engine mechanics may work less than 40 hours per week during the winter due to a decline in the use of motorboats, lawnmowers and motorcycles. However, they often schedule engine overhauls during the slow winter months. Usually, small engine technicians work full-time only during the spring and summer. During periods of high demand they may work significantly more than 40 hours per week.

Small Engine Techs Jobs and Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts 12 percent growth in employment for small engine mechanics from 2006 to 2016 which is about as fast as average for all occupations. The growth of jobs is expected to be higher for motorboat and motorcycle mechanics than for outdoor equipment mechanics. Some of the major employers of small engine mechanics are motor vehicle dealers which includes boats and motorcycles. Retail hardware lawn and garden stores are also major employers. Small engine techs are also employed by small engine repair shops, equipment rental companies, marinas and boatyards, landscaping services and wholesale distributors. Employers prefer applicants that have knowledge of both 2 and 4 stroke engines and other types of emissions reducing technology. Some small engine techs are self-employed. The average yearly income in 2009 for small engine mechanics was $28,887.

Job Numbers and Growth

Small engine techs in the US number about 33,000. Workers generally expect a high unemployment rate. There were about 7% of employees without jobs in 2008.

Area Job Conditions

Where are jobs most numerous? Punta Gorda (Florida), Glens Falls (New York), and Grand Junction (Colorado). Least common? Dallas (Texas), Nassau (New York), and Oakland (California).

Salaries vary across the country, from highest in New York (New York), Philadelphia (Pennsylvania), and San Diego (California) to lowest in Peoria (Illinois), Toledo (Ohio), and Oklahoma City (Oklahoma).

Training and Education

Obtaining moderate-term on-the-job training will help job seekers. Small engine techs with four or more years of college are 5% of the total. An estimated 32% of workers attended college at some level but did not pursue a 4-year degree. High school was enough education for 64% of employees. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career.

Part-Time Work and Self-Employment

Whether by choice or necessity, 11% of small engine techs work part-time. About 23% of workers do not work for a company or organization.

Small Engine Techs 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
Birmingham	$28,000	80	+50%
Huntsville	$25,000	30	+37%
Mobile	$32,000	60	+226%

Arizona

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Phoenix	$32,000	110	-43%

California

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Fresno	$37,000	60	+76%
Los Angeles	$34,000	110	-75%
Oxnard	$34,000	40	+26%
Riverside	$33,000	130	-1%
San Diego	$33,000	140	-2%
San Jose	$41,000	50	-49%
Santa Ana	$37,000	50	-68%
Stockton	$47,000	50	+126%

Colorado

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Fort Collins	$36,000	50	+288%

Connecticut

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Hartford	$34,000	100	+61%

Delaware

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Wilmington	$38,000	70	+101%

District of Columbia

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Washington	$35,000	330	+24%

Florida

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Cape Coral	$39,000	70	+245%
Deltona	$27,000	40	+151%
Fort Lauderdale	$32,000	130	+72%
Lakeland	$35,000	80	+304%
Miami	$32,000	170	+59%
Naples	$37,000	110	+866%
Orlando	$29,000	410	+271%
Panama City	$27,000	50	+642%
Port St Lucie	$34,000	30	+147%
Sarasota	$31,000	100	+283%
Sebastian	$29,000	30	+572%
Tampa	$25,000	450	+261%
West Palm Beach	$32,000	230	+311%

Georgia

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Atlanta	$31,000	300	+19%
Augusta	$39,000	50	+131%
Columbus	$33,000	30	+167%

Illinois

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Chicago	$32,000	240	-42%
Peoria	$29,000	50	+181%

Indiana

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Evansville	$31,000	110	+515%
Indianapolis	$32,000	140	+44%

Iowa

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Des Moines	$30,000	120	+240%

Kansas

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Wichita	$26,000	40	+30%

Kentucky

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Louisville	$30,000	110	+67%

Maryland

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Baltimore	$37,000	120	-16%

Massachusetts

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Barnstable Town	$46,000	30	+199%
Framingham	$32,000	30	+76%
Lowell	$33,000	30	+144%
Springfield	$35,000	70	+120%
Worcester	$39,000	80	+199%

Michigan

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Ann Arbor	$24,000	30	+72%
Grand Rapids	$31,000	40	-1%
Lansing		50	+139%

Minnesota

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Duluth	$29,000	90	+573%
Minneapolis	$38,000	390	+100%
St Cloud	$29,000	60	+522%

Mississippi

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Gulfport	$27,000	30	+175%

Missouri

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Kansas City	$33,000	60	-46%
Springfield	$26,000	80	+299%
St Louis	$30,000	130	-11%

Nebraska

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Omaha	$28,000	110	+116%

Nevada

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Las Vegas	$45,000	40	-57%
Reno	$42,000	50	+149%

New Hampshire

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Manchester	$37,000	40	+281%
Nashua	$35,000	40	+182%
Portsmouth	$36,000	30	+440%

New Jersey

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Camden	$35,000	120	+111%
Edison	$41,000	80	-29%
Newark	$37,000	100	-8%

New York

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Binghamton	$29,000	70	+509%
Glens Falls	$37,000	50	+901%
Nassau	$32,000	130	-6%
New York	$45,000	210	-63%
Poughkeepsie	$30,000	40	+53%
Rochester	$29,000	80	+46%
Syracuse	$28,000	60	+79%
Utica	$30,000	40	+212%

North Carolina

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Charlotte	$34,000	330	+254%
Durham	$31,000	60	+104%
Hickory	$29,000	30	+97%
Raleigh	$32,000	130	+132%
Wilmington	$29,000	90	+538%

Ohio

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Akron	$34,000	100	+190%
Canton	$28,000	110	+532%
Cincinnati	$35,000	150	+36%
Cleveland	$32,000	190	+70%
Columbus	$28,000	110	+10%
Dayton	$29,000	60	+46%
Toledo	$24,000	70	+122%
Youngstown	$25,000	50	+108%

Oklahoma

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Oklahoma City	$24,000	80	+28%
Tulsa	$32,000	50	+8%

Oregon

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Eugene	$30,000	60	+312%
Portland	$33,000	200	+79%

Pennsylvania

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Allentown	$32,000	140	+276%
Erie	$25,000	40	+203%
Lancaster	$26,000	200	+701%
Philadelphia	$36,000	220	+5%
Pittsburgh	$34,000	60	-52%

Rhode Island

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Providence	$36,000	90	+49%

South Carolina

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Charleston	$30,000	50	+63%
Columbia	$32,000	40	+6%

Tennessee

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Chattanooga	$27,000	50	+107%
Johnson City	$22,000	30	+323%
Kingsport	$22,000	40	+221%
Memphis	$25,000	70	+5%

Texas

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Austin	$38,000	120	+40%
Beaumont	$28,000	110	+555%
Dallas	$35,000	80	-65%
Houston	$35,000	340	+18%
San Antonio	$30,000	220	+131%

Utah

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Ogden	$31,000	80	+281%
Salt Lake City	$28,000	40	-39%

Vermont

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Burlington	$31,000	80	+602%

Virginia

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Lynchburg	$26,000	90	+800%
Richmond	$26,000	120	+80%
Roanoke	$24,000	30	+85%
Virginia Beach	$32,000	150	+82%

Washington

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Kennewick	$36,000	50	+394%
Olympia	$34,000	40	+300%
Seattle	$38,000	100	-35%
Spokane	$30,000	50	+131%

West Virginia

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Parkersburg	$21,000	40	+499%

Wisconsin

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Milwaukee	$33,000	220	+143%
Racine	$33,000	40	+443%

Wyoming

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Cheyenne	$31,000	80	+1918%