Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics work in a hands-on, technically focused career maintaining and repairing smaller engines and related equipment. Nationally, about 37,000 people are employed in this occupation, with projected employment growth of 2.5% and roughly 4,000 job openings each year. This combination of an established workforce and steady openings can appeal to people who want practical, tool-based work rather than a desk job. The role draws heavily on mechanical aptitude, fine motor skills, and problem solving, while also involving customer service and attention to detail. Typical entry into the field is possible with a high school diploma or equivalent, making it accessible to students and career changers who prefer shorter educational pathways. Individuals considering this path may also want to explore related fields such as motorboat mechanics and service technicians, earth drillers (except oil and gas), bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists, rail car repairers, and maintenance workers for machinery.
Outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics have a national median annual salary of $46,560. Earnings vary by location, and several states and metro areas offer higher median salaries than the national figure. Among states, Massachusetts stands out with a median salary of $57,830, followed by Washington at $53,990, Colorado at $52,620, California at $50,790, and New York at $50,640. At the metro level, Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH reports a median of $59,880, New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ is at $57,110, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA at $56,570, and San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA at $56,270. These figures show that pay can differ meaningfully by region, which may influence where workers choose to live or seek opportunities. Candidates can use these benchmarks to gauge typical earning potential at both the state and metropolitan levels.
This occupation has a national employment level of 37,000 outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics. Projected employment growth is 2.5%, indicating expectations for continued demand over the projection period. In addition, there are about 4,000 annual openings nationwide. The relationship between total employment and annual openings suggests that opportunities can arise both from new positions and from turnover or replacement needs. For individuals planning a career, these figures point to a labor market that consistently needs trained mechanics. States and metro areas listed with top opportunity scores also share the same 2.5% projected growth rate, aligning local prospects with the national outlook. Job seekers can consider both the overall national growth and the recurring annual openings when assessing the stability and accessibility of this career path, particularly if they are open to relocating to regions with higher opportunity scores.
Location can significantly shape the experience of outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics, both in terms of pay and opportunity. Among states, California has the highest listed employment at 2,470, with a median salary of $50,790 and an opportunity score of 67.38. New York follows with 1,480 employed and a median salary of $50,640, while Massachusetts, though smaller in employment at 800, offers a higher median salary of $57,830 and a strong opportunity score of 65.87. Colorado and Washington also present solid options, with median salaries of $52,620 and $53,990 and opportunity scores of 56.97 and 56.29, respectively. At the metro level, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA and New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ have the highest opportunity scores, 77.42 and 77.27, with median salaries above $56,000. Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH has the highest listed metro median salary at $59,880 and an opportunity score of 63.37. These differences show that both salaries and opportunity scores can vary notably between states and metros.
Outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics typically enter the field with a high school diploma or equivalent. This makes the career accessible without requiring a four-year degree, which can appeal to students, recent graduates, and career changers looking for a shorter educational path. While formal education requirements are modest, the occupation relies on a substantial skill set. Key strengths include fine motor skills, mechanical ability, and physical strength and stamina, all of which support hands-on work with equipment and components. The role also emphasizes problem solving and decision making, critical and analytical thinking, and being detail oriented, which are important when diagnosing and addressing mechanical issues. Customer service skills matter for interacting with clients, and creativity and innovation can contribute to finding effective solutions. Competence with computers and information technology is also important, reflecting the role of digital tools and information systems in modern mechanical work. Together, these skills define the core preparation needed for success in the occupation.
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