Installation, maintenance and repair
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.
Median pay
$47,880
Growth to 2035
+2%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
3,800
Time to qualify*
6 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
Calculate your switch to outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics: 64% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- 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.
- Dismantle engines, using hand tools, and examine parts for defects.
- 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.
Also called: Chainsaw Technician · Golf Cart Mechanic · Lawnmower Repair Mechanic · Mechanic · Outdoor Power Equipment Service Technician · Service Technician (Service Tech) · Shop Mechanic · Small Engine Mechanic
Outlook and AI
Outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics held 38,300 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 39,200 by 2035 (+2%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
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