Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians

Transportation, Distribution and LogisticsO*NET 49-3051.00United States

Repair and adjust electrical and mechanical equipment of inboard or inboard-outboard boat engines.

COMING SOON See related ASU learning

Median annual earnings: $54,260
Projected change: +5.9%
Typical education: Certificate
Employment: 28.72K jobs

Explore this career by location

Compare nationwide estimates with state or county job-market data.

Showing United States

State

County

Loading available locations…

Build the skills

ASU learning related to this career

These courses and certificates are connected through catalog career relationships and Lightcast skill tags.

The work

What motorboat mechanics and service technicians do

Tasks reported for this occupation, ordered by how often they come up in the role.

Start motors and monitor performance for signs of malfunctioning, such as smoke, excessive vibration, or misfiring.
Document inspection and test results and work performed or to be performed.
Mount motors to boats, and operate boats at various speeds on waterways to conduct operational tests.
Perform routine engine maintenance on motorboats, such as changing oil and filters.
Replace parts, such as gears, magneto points, piston rings, or spark plugs, and reassemble engines.
Repair engine mechanical equipment, such as power tilts, bilge pumps, or power take-offs.
Idle motors and observe thermometers to determine the effectiveness of cooling systems.
Adjust carburetor mixtures, electrical point settings, or timing while motors are running in water-filled test tanks.
Inspect and repair or adjust propellers or propeller shafts.
Disassemble and inspect motors to locate defective parts, using mechanic's hand tools and gauges.
Set starter locks and align and repair steering or throttle controls, using gauges, screwdrivers, or wrenches.
Adjust generators and replace faulty wiring, using hand tools and soldering irons.
Repair or rework parts, using machine tools such as lathes, mills, drills, or grinders.

Pay and outlook

What the job pays and where it is heading

Annual earnings range

Reported earnings by percentile, United States

10th percentile: $33,072
25th percentile: $43,012
50th percentile: $54,260
75th percentile: $65,497
90th percentile: $81,260

The gold marker shows the median. Half earn more than $54,260 and half earn less.

Employment outlook

2025 to 2035 projection

+5.9%average or slower

202528,719 jobs

2035 projected30,402 jobs

1,683 more positions over the decade, before replacement hiring.

Preparation

Education levels

What people currently working in the career hold. These are not entry requirements.

Certificate: 53.7%
High school diploma or less: 30.2%
Some college: 11.5%
Associate degree: 4.5%

Skills

Skills employers ask for

Technical skills appearing most often in job postings for this occupation.

Lifting Ability
Electrical Systems
Diesel Engines
Hand Tools
Power Tool Operation
Hydraulics
Mechanical Systems
Electrical Wiring
Personal Protective Equipment
Technical Communication
Plumbing
Machinery
Mechanical Aptitude
Mechanics
HVAC
Good Driving Record
Safety Standards
Heavy Equipment
Fabrication
Propulsion

How the work gets done

Core competencies

Broad capabilities associated with strong performance in this occupation.

Repairing: Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operations Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Equipment Selection: Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

In the market

Job titles and employers

Recent job postings in United States

Common job titles

01Marine Technicians752 postings
02Marine Mechanics427 postings
03Marine Service Technicians276 postings
04Boat Mechanics228 postings
05Mechanics/Technicians105 postings
06Marine Electricians75 postings
07Construction Program Managers56 postings
08Submarine Sonar Technicians41 postings
09Marine Machinery Mechanics40 postings
10Fiberglass Technicians39 postings
11Certified Technicians36 postings
12Field Technicians35 postings
13Assembly Technicians33 postings
14Certified Service Technicians30 postings
15Mobile Technicians30 postings
16Systems Technicians29 postings
17Propulsion Engineers28 postings
18Mine Mechanical Engineers27 postings
19Boat Builders22 postings
20Engine Field Service Technicians20 postings

Top employers

01Safe Harbor Marinas91 postings
02Serco83 postings
03International Marina Group80 postings
04Bass Pro Shops73 postings
05Poseidon Marine62 postings
06Aerotek54 postings
07Amentum49 postings
08One Water Marine Holdings49 postings
09Huntington Ingalls Industries34 postings
10Cummins20 postings
11Brunswick17 postings
12Hiller Companies17 postings
13Tmbc17 postings
14Boaters World Marine Centers16 postings
15Carter Machinery16 postings
16Epsilon Systems Solutions16 postings
17Insight Global16 postings
18GPAC15 postings
19Mk Consulting Group15 postings
20The Hiller Companies13 postings

Keep looking

Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians

Median pay: $82,771
Employment outlook: +11.6%

Air Traffic Controllers

Median pay: $148,075
Employment outlook: +4.8%

Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors

Median pay: $58,076
Employment outlook: +8.4%

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

Median pay: $79,397
Employment outlook: +5.9%