Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul small engines used to power lawn mowers, chain saws, recreational sporting equipment, and related equipment.
Also called: Chainsaw Technician · Golf Cart Mechanic · Lawnmower Repair Mechanic · Mechanic · Outdoor Power Equipment Service Technician · Service Technician (Service Tech)
Median pay (national)
$46,560
$33,600–$64,540 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
34,240
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+2.5%
~3,500 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $64,540 versus $33,600 at the bottom 10% — 1.9x. The median of $46,560 leaves roughly 39% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +2.5% from 2024 to 2034 — about as fast as the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 3,500 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 52 states with released data, Massachusetts pays the most for this role (median $57,060, +23% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $22,840 — a 150% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Reading Comprehension as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Active Learning
- Writing
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
- 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.
- Show customers how to maintain equipment.
- Remove engines from equipment, and position and bolt engines to repair stands.
- Sell parts and equipment.
Tools & technology
- Ideal Computer Systems Ideal OPE
- Land & Sea DYNO-MAX
- RepairTRAX
- Sale processing software
- Smart Equipment Repair
- VersaDyne small engine test system
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
Knowledge areas
- Mechanical
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Engineering and Technology
- Education and Training
- Transportation
- Sales and Marketing
- Computers and Electronics