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Bicycle Repairers

Typical education: High school diplomaHigh pressure

What they do

Repair and service bicycles.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $42,780 Median per year · $20.57/hr Most earn $31,220–$55,000

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Install and adjust brakes and brake pads.
  • Help customers select bicycles that fit their body sizes and intended bicycle uses.
  • Install, repair, and replace equipment or accessories, such as handlebars, stands, lights, and seats.
  • Order bicycle parts.
  • Disassemble axles to repair, adjust, and replace defective parts, using hand tools.
  • Paint bicycle frames, using spray guns or brushes.

Job outlook

United States
6% fewer jobs by 2035, declining · about 1,200 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Sporting goods retailers78.9%
  • Rental and leasing services7.5%
  • Personal and household goods repair and maintenance4.2%
  • Self-employed (their own business)2.5%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: High school diplomaExperience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

Bicycle Repairer is an entry-level job. You can often start with a high school diploma and then learn most of the work on the job, usually over about 6 months to 1 year of hands-on experience.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Finish high school with good math and shop skills, since bike repair uses measuring, tools, and basic mechanical thinking every day.

  2. Bicycle Repairer

    6 months to 1 year of on-the-job experience before the role is typical

    Work in a bike shop, learning to tune brakes and gears, true wheels, and service bikes under experienced mechanics until you can handle repairs on your own.

Where it can lead

  1. Outdoor Power Equipment Mechanic

    1-2 years of experience first

    Move to repairing small engines like lawn mowers and chainsaws, which builds engine skills and often needs more formal training than bike work.

  2. Motorcycle Mechanic

    2-4 years of experience first

    Work on larger, more complex vehicles with engines and electrical systems, usually after completing a certificate or apprenticeship.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take shop, auto, or engineering classesHands-on classes teach you to use tools safely and understand how mechanical parts fit and work together.
  • Take math classesMeasuring, fractions, and basic geometry help with setting gear spacing, wheel sizes, and tire pressure.
  • Get a starter job at a bike shop or sporting goods storeEven a part-time job helping customers and cleaning bikes shows employers you are reliable and interested in bikes.
  • Fix bikes with friends or familyPracticing basic repairs such as tire patches, brake tuning, and chain care builds real skills you can talk about in interviews.
  • Volunteer at a community bike co-op or repair eventMany towns have volunteer bike workshops where you can learn from experienced mechanics for free.

In college

  • Take courses in mechanics, physics, or small engine repairBasic mechanical and physics knowledge helps you understand why parts fail and how to fix them correctly.
  • Work a part-time job at a bike shopRegular shop work gives you paid experience that counts toward the 6 months to 1 year employers usually want.
  • Join a campus cycling or bike repair clubMany schools have student bike groups that host repair nights, which lets you practice skills and meet people in the field.
  • Take a short bicycle mechanic course or certificationMany community colleges and bike schools offer short hands-on workshops that show employers you have formal training.
  • Build a repair portfolioKeep notes or photos of repairs you complete so you can show employers what you can do, not just tell them.

Tips for getting started

  • Ask a local bike shop if you can volunteer or work a summer job sweeping floors and helping mechanics; watching repairs up close is the fastest way to learn.
  • Practice at home by fixing flat tires, adjusting brakes, and lubricating chains on your own bike or a friend's bike.
  • Keep a simple folder of photos or notes showing repairs you've done; it helps when you apply for shop jobs.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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