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Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics

ManufacturingO*NET 49-3053.00United States

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul small engines used to power lawn mowers, chain saws, recreational sporting equipment, and related equipment.

COMING SOON See related ASU learning
Median annual earnings
$46,847

50th percentile, United States

Projected change
+5.3%

2025 to 2035

Typical education
High school diploma or less

60.3% of the workforce

Employment
38.06K jobs

Growing to 40.06K by 2035

Explore this career by location

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

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Build the skills

ASU learning related to this career

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

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The work

What outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics do

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

  • Record repairs made, time spent, and parts used.
  • Test and inspect engines to determine malfunctions, to locate missing and broken parts, and to verify repairs, using diagnostic instruments.
  • Repair and maintain gasoline engines used to power equipment such as portable saws, lawn mowers, generators, and compressors.
  • Adjust points, valves, carburetors, distributors, and spark plug gaps, using feeler gauges.
  • Dismantle engines, using hand tools, and examine parts for defects.
  • Repair or replace defective parts such as magnetos, water pumps, gears, pistons, and carburetors, using hand tools.
  • Perform routine maintenance such as cleaning and oiling parts, honing cylinders, and tuning ignition systems.
  • Reassemble engines after repair or maintenance work is complete.
  • Replace motors.
  • Obtain problem descriptions from customers, and prepare cost estimates for repairs.
  • Show customers how to maintain equipment.
  • Remove engines from equipment, and position and bolt engines to repair stands.
  • Sell parts and equipment.
  • Grind, ream, rebore, and re-tap parts to obtain specified clearances, using grinders, lathes, taps, reamers, boring machines, and micrometers.

Pay and outlook

What the job pays and where it is heading

Annual earnings range

Reported earnings by percentile, United States

10th percentile
$33,227
25th percentile
$39,398
50th percentile
$46,847
75th percentile
$58,094
90th percentile
$67,935

The gold marker shows the median. Half earn more than $46,847 and half earn less.

Employment outlook

2025 to 2035 projection

+5.3%average or slower
202538,060 jobs
2035 projected40,063 jobs

2,003 more positions over the decade, before replacement hiring.

Preparation

Education levels

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

High school diploma or less
60.3%
Some college
27.3%
Certificate
12.5%

Skills

Skills employers ask for

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

  • Small Engines
  • Mowing
  • Lifting Ability
  • Small Engine Repair
  • Hydraulics
  • Electrical Systems
  • Chainsaws
  • Preventive Maintenance
  • Planned Maintenance
  • Hand Tools
  • Technical Communication
  • Power Tool Operation
  • Mechanics
  • Changing Oil
  • Mechanical Aptitude
  • Equipment Repair
  • Machinery
  • Heavy Equipment
  • Safety Standards
  • Diagnostic Tools

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.
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.
Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Equipment Selection
Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
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.
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.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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.
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.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

In the market

Job titles and employers

Recent job postings in United States

Common job titles

  1. 01Small Engine Mechanics762 postings
  2. 02Small Engine Technicians344 postings
  3. 03Golf Course Mechanics135 postings
  4. 04Golf Technicians117 postings
  5. 05Mechanics102 postings
  6. 06Small Engine Repair Technicians91 postings
  7. 07Mobile Mechanics88 postings
  8. 08Motorcycle Technicians66 postings
  9. 09Motorcycle Mechanics56 postings
  10. 10Technicians31 postings
  11. 11Engine Builders17 postings
  12. 12Pressure Vessel Engineers17 postings
  13. 13Lawn Mowers16 postings
  14. 14Service Technicians16 postings
  15. 15Engine Technicians13 postings
  16. 16Equipment Maintenance Mechanics12 postings
  17. 17Repair Technicians12 postings
  18. 18Assembly Technicians11 postings
  19. 19Engine Mechanics11 postings
  20. 20Engineer Equipment Mechanics11 postings

Top employers

  1. 01Ace Hardware83 postings
  2. 02Ag-Pro54 postings
  3. 03Blain's Farm & Fleet50 postings
  4. 04Comfama24 postings
  5. 05Aerotek23 postings
  6. 06Agpro18 postings
  7. 07Andretti Indoor Karting And Games16 postings
  8. 08EquipmentShare15 postings
  9. 09ManpowerGroup15 postings
  10. 10Adecco14 postings
  11. 11Express Employment Professionals13 postings
  12. 12Job Talent13 postings
  13. 13Soluciones Inmediatas13 postings
  14. 14Wright Implement Co13 postings
  15. 15Greenmark Equipment12 postings
  16. 16GPAC11 postings
  17. 17Paramount Placement11 postings
  18. 18Centimark Corporation10 postings
  19. 19Landpro Equipment10 postings
  20. 20Spherion Staffing10 postings

Keep looking

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