Small Engine Mechanics

Summary

Small engine mechanics repair different types of motorized equipment, such as motorcycles and outdoor power equipment.

Quick Facts: Small Engine Mechanics
2010 Median Pay	$31,790 per year $15.29 per hour
Entry-Level Education	High school diploma or equivalent
Work Experience in a Related Occupation	None
On-the-job Training	See How to Become One
Number of Jobs, 2010	68,800
Job Outlook, 2010-20	21% (Faster than average)
Employment Change, 2010-20	14,300

What Small Engine Mechanics Do

Small engine mechanics inspect, service, and repair motorized power equipment. Mechanics often specialize in one type of equipment, such as motorcycles, motorboats, or outdoor power equipment.

Work Environment

Small engine mechanics generally work in well-ventilated and noisy repair shops. They sometimes make onsite repair calls, which may require working in poor weather conditions. Although most work full time during regular business hours, seasonal work hours often fluctuate. Workers are often busiest during the spring and summer, when use of equipment is the highest.

How to Become a Small Engine Mechanic

As motorized power equipment becomes more sophisticated, employers increasingly prefer to hire mechanics who have completed formal training programs. However, many mechanics learn their trade informally on the job.

Pay

The median annual wage of small engine mechanics was $31,790 in May 2010.

Job Outlook

Employment of small engine mechanics is expected to grow 21 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. Those with formal training should have very good job opportunities.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of small engine mechanics with similar occupations.

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Contacts for More Information

Learn more about small engine mechanics by contacting these additional resources.

What Small Engine Mechanics Do About this section

A small engine mechanic repairs a motorcycle.

Small engine mechanics inspect, service, and repair motorized power equipment. Mechanics often specialize in one type of equipment, such as motorcycles, motorboats, or outdoor power equipment.

Duties

Small engine mechanics typically do the following:

• Discuss equipment issues, maintenance plans, and work performed with customers
• Perform routine engine maintenance, such as lubricating parts and replacing spark plugs
• Test and inspect engines for malfunctioning parts
• Repair or replace worn, defective, or broken parts
• Reassemble and reinstall components and engines following repairs
• Keep records of inspections, test results, work performed, and parts used

Small engine mechanics regularly work on power equipment ranging from snowmobiles to chainsaws. When equipment breaks down, mechanics use many strategies to diagnose the source and the extent of the problem. Small engine mechanics determine mechanical, electrical, and fuel problems and make necessary repairs.

Mechanics’ tasks vary in complexity and difficulty. Many jobs, such as maintenance inspections and repairs, involve minor adjustments or the replacement of a single part. Others, including piston calibration and spark plug replacement, may require taking an engine apart completely. Some highly skilled mechanics use computerized equipment for tasks, such as customizing and tuning racing motorcycles and motorboats.

Mechanics use a variety of handtools, including screwdrivers, wrenches, and pliers, for many common tasks. Some mechanics also may regularly use compression gauges, ammeters, and voltmeters to test engine performance. For more complicated procedures, they commonly use pneumatic power tools, computerized engine analyzers, and other diagnostic equipment.

Although employers usually provide the more expensive tools and testing equipment, mechanics are often expected to buy their own handtools. Some mechanics have thousands of dollars invested in their tool collections.

The following are types of small engine mechanics:

Motorcycle mechanics specialize in working on motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, dirt bikes, and all-terrain vehicles. They service engines, transmissions, brakes, and ignition systems and make minor body repairs, among other tasks. Most work is for individual dealers, servicing and repairing specific makes and models.

Motorboat and marine equipment mechanics maintain and repair the mechanical and electrical components of boat engines. Most of their work, whether on small outboard engines or large diesel-powered inboard motors, is performed at docks and marinas where the repair shop is located. Motorboat mechanics also may work on propellers, steering mechanisms, marine plumbing, and other boat equipment.

Outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics service and repair outdoor power equipment, such as lawnmowers, edge trimmers, garden tractors, and portable generators. In certain parts of the country, mechanics may work on snowblowers and snowmobiles, but this work is both highly seasonal and regional.

For information about technicians and mechanics who work primarily on automobiles, see the profile on automotive service technicians and mechanics.

For information about technicians who work primarily on large trucks and buses, see the profile on diesel service technicians and mechanics.

For information on technicians and mechanics who work primarily on farm equipment, construction vehicles and rail cars, see the profile on heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians.

Work Environment About this section

A technician repairs a boat.

Small engine mechanics held about 68,800 jobs in 2010. Although the majority worked for equipment dealers and repair shops, about 19 percent were self-employed.

Industries employing the most small engine mechanics in 2010 were as follows:

Small engine mechanics generally work in well-ventilated but noisy repair shops. They sometimes make onsite repair calls, which may require working in poor weather conditions. When repairing onboard engines, motorboat mechanics may work in cramped and uncomfortable positions.

Work Schedules

Most small engine mechanics work full time during regular business hours. However, seasonal work hours often fluctuate. Most mechanics are busiest during the spring and summer, when demand for work on equipment, such as lawnmowers and boats, is the highest. During the peak seasons, many mechanics work considerable overtime hours.

In contrast, some mechanics are not as busy during the winter, when demand for small engine work is low. Many employers, however, schedule major repair work to be performed during the off-season, to try to keep work consistent.

How to Become a Small Engine Mechanic About this section

A small engine mechanic repairs a go cart.

As motorized power equipment becomes more sophisticated, employers increasingly prefer to hire mechanics who have completed formal training programs. However, many mechanics learn their trade informally on the job.

Education and Training

A growing number of motorcycle and marine equipment mechanics complete formal postsecondary programs in small engine repair. Employers prefer to hire these workers because they usually require significantly less on-the-job training. Because of the limited number of postsecondary programs, however, employers often have difficulty finding qualified workers. 

As a result, many mechanics begin work with a high school degree and learn on the job. Generally, employers look for candidates who have completed courses in small engine repair, automobile mechanics, and science. Some employers may hire applicants with less education if they have adequate reading, writing, and math skills.

Trainees work closely with experienced mechanics while learning basic tasks, such as replacing spark plugs or disassembling engine components. As they gain experience, trainees move on to more difficult tasks, such as advanced computerized diagnosis and engine overhauls. Achieving competency may take from several months to 3 years, depending on a mechanic’s specialization and ability. 

Because of the increased complexity of boat and motorcycle engines, motorcycle and marine equipment mechanics often need more on-the-job training than outdoor power equipment mechanics.

Employers frequently send mechanics to training courses run by motorcycle, motorboat, and outdoor power equipment manufacturers and dealers. Courses may last up to 2 weeks, teaching mechanics the most up-to-date technology and techniques. Often, these courses are a prerequisite for warranty and manufacturer-specific work.

Important Qualities

Customer-service skills. Mechanics must discuss equipment problems and repairs with their customers. They should be courteous, good listeners, and ready to answer customers’ questions. In addition, self-employed workers frequently depend on repeat clients for business.

Detail oriented. Mechanical and electronic malfunctions often are due to misalignments or other easy-to-miss errors. Mechanics must, therefore, account for those problems when inspecting or repairing engines and components.

Dexterity. Many tasks, such as disassembling engine parts, connecting or attaching components, and using hand tools, require a steady hand and good hand–eye coordination.

Mechanical skills. Mechanics must be familiar with engine components and systems and know how they interact with each other. They must frequently disassemble major parts for repairs and be able to reassemble them properly.

Technical skills. Mechanics, especially marine equipment and motorcycle specialists, often use computerized diagnostic equipment on engines, systems, and components. They must be familiar with electronic control systems and the tools needed to fix and maintain them.

Troubleshooting skills. Mechanics must be able to identify and diagnose engine problems. They also should be able to repair increasingly complicated mechanical and electronic systems.

Pay About this section

The median annual wage of small engine mechanics was $31,790 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $20,310, and the top 10 percent earned more than $49,680.

Median annual wages for specialty occupations in May 2010 were as follows:

• $35,600 for motorboat mechanics and service technicians
• $31,980 for motorcycle mechanics
• $29,580 for outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics

Most small engine mechanics work full time during regular business hours. However, seasonal work hours often fluctuate. 

Most mechanics are busiest during the spring and summer, when demand for work on equipment from lawnmowers to boats is the highest. During the peak seasons, many mechanics work considerable overtime hours. In contrast, some mechanics are not busy during the winter, when demand for small engine work is low. As a result, during these months they work only part time. 

Many employers, however, schedule major repair work to be performed during the off-season, to try to keep work consistent.

Mechanics employed in large shops often receive benefits, such as health insurance, sick leave, and paid vacation time. Conversely, those in small repair shops usually receive few benefits. Some employers pay for work-related training and help mechanics purchase new tools.

Job Outlook About this section

Employment of small engine mechanics is expected to grow 21 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. Employment growth will vary be specialty. 

Employment of motorcycle mechanics is expected to grow 24 percent, faster than the average for all occupations. The number of registered motorcycles has increased steadily in recent years, leading to corresponding greater demand for motorcycle repair services. This trend is expected to continue, leading to new job opportunities for motorcycle mechanics. Most new jobs will continue to be in the motorcycle dealer industry, as service operations are an important aspect of business for many firms in this industry.

Employment of motorboat mechanics is expected to grow 21 percent, faster than the average for all occupations. Although the retail boat industry, the primary employer of motorboat mechanics, has consolidated in recent years, demand for repair services is expected to rise as boat engines become increasingly sophisticated.

Employment of outdoor power equipment mechanics is expected to grow 19 percent, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Demand for repair services is expected to rise as outdoor power equipment becomes more complex. Most new jobs are projected in the industries that are related to lawn and garden care, in which small engine equipment is frequently used and regular servicing of that equipment is required.

Job Prospects

Job opportunities are expected to be very good for candidates with formal training. Those without formal training can expect to face strong competition for jobs.

Contacts for More Information About this section

To learn about job opportunities, contact local motorcycle, motorboat, and lawn and garden equipment dealers; boatyards; and marinas. Local offices of the state employment service also may have information about employment and training opportunities.