Small Engine Tech Training and Jobs
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Part-Time 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.
Career Videos
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% |