Motorcycle Mechanics

Transportation, Distribution and LogisticsO*NET 49-3052.00United States

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, dirt bikes, or similar motorized vehicles.

COMING SOON See related ASU learning
Median annual earnings
$46,843

50th percentile, United States

Projected change
+5.2%

2025 to 2035

Typical education
Certificate

59.6% of the workforce

Employment
14.55K jobs

Growing to 15.31K by 2035

Explore this career by location

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

Showing United States

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.

Loading related ASU learning

The work

What motorcycle mechanics do

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

  • Mount, balance, change, or check condition or pressure of tires.
  • Replace defective parts, using hand tools, arbor presses, flexible power presses, or power tools.
  • Dismantle engines and repair or replace defective parts, such as magnetos, carburetors, or generators.
  • Connect test panels to engines and measure generator output, ignition timing, or other engine performance indicators.
  • Listen to engines, examine vehicle frames, or confer with customers to determine nature and extent of malfunction or damage.
  • Repair or replace other parts, such as headlights, horns, handlebar controls, gasoline or oil tanks, starters, or mufflers.
  • Disassemble subassembly units and examine condition, movement, or alignment of parts, visually or using gauges.
  • Repair or adjust motorcycle subassemblies, such as forks, transmissions, brakes, or drive chains, according to specifications.
  • Reassemble frames and reinstall engines after repairs.
  • Install motorcycle accessories.
  • Remove cylinder heads and grind valves to scrape off carbon and replace defective valves, pistons, cylinders, or rings, using hand and power tools.
  • Reassemble and test subassembly units.

Pay and outlook

What the job pays and where it is heading

Annual earnings range

Reported earnings by percentile, United States

10th percentile
$32,357
25th percentile
$37,516
50th percentile
$46,843
75th percentile
$60,613
90th percentile
$75,124

The gold marker shows the median. Half earn more than $46,843 and half earn less.

Employment outlook

2025 to 2035 projection

+5.2%average or slower
202514,554 jobs
2035 projected15,308 jobs

754 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
59.6%
High school diploma or less
25.7%
Bachelor's degree
9.5%
Associate degree
4%
Master's or Professional degree
1.3%

Skills

Skills employers ask for

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

  • Motorcycles
  • Lifting Ability
  • Suspension (Vehicle)
  • All Terrain Vehicles
  • Changing Oil
  • Good Driving Record
  • Power Tool Operation
  • Hand Tools
  • Mechanical Aptitude
  • Safety Standards
  • Electrical Systems
  • Brakes
  • Mechanics
  • Automotive Services
  • Diagnostic Tools
  • Vehicle Maintenance
  • Warehousing
  • Scooters
  • Electrical Diagnostics And Repairs
  • Soldering

How the work gets done

Core competencies

Broad capabilities associated with strong performance in this occupation.

Troubleshooting
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
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.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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.
Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Quality Control Analysis
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Equipment Selection
Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

In the market

Job titles and employers

Recent job postings in United States

Common job titles

  1. 01Motorcycle Technicians404 postings
  2. 02Harley Davidson Technicians202 postings
  3. 03Motorcycle Mechanics157 postings
  4. 04Bicycle Technicians47 postings
  5. 05Mechanics13 postings
  6. 06Technicians12 postings
  7. 07Bike Mechanics7 postings
  8. 08Motorcycle Sales Associates5 postings
  9. 09Bike Technicians3 postings
  10. 10Mobile Technicians3 postings
  11. 11Small Engine Technicians3 postings
  12. 12Electric Technicians2 postings
  13. 13Electrical Mechanics2 postings
  14. 14Experienced Auditors2 postings
  15. 15Field Mechanics2 postings
  16. 16Golf Course Mechanics2 postings
  17. 17Mobile Mechanics2 postings
  18. 18Small Engine Mechanics2 postings
  19. 19Assembly/Packers1 postings
  20. 20Bike Builders1 postings

Top employers

  1. 01Harley-Davidson106 postings
  2. 02Ridenow Powersports36 postings
  3. 03Mountain Motorsports15 postings
  4. 04Lime13 postings
  5. 05Sonic Automotive11 postings
  6. 06Ed Morse Automotive Group9 postings
  7. 07Honda7 postings
  8. 08Paramount Placement7 postings
  9. 09Speeds Performance Plus7 postings
  10. 10Wise Auto Group7 postings
  11. 11Astemo Ueda6 postings
  12. 12Shawnee Cycle Plaza6 postings
  13. 13National Powersports Distributors5 postings
  14. 14Used Bikes Direct5 postings
  15. 15Car Keys Express4 postings
  16. 16Motorcycle Performance Services4 postings
  17. 17Xtreme Motorcycle Group4 postings
  18. 18American Road Group3 postings
  19. 19Asv Inventions3 postings
  20. 20BMW3 postings

Keep looking