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Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics

Typical education: High school diplomaLower pressure

What they do

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

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

Lower 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 $47,880 Median per year · $23.02/hr Most earn $34,670–$67,260

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Grind, ream, rebore, and re-tap parts to obtain specified clearances, using grinders, lathes, taps, reamers, boring machines, and micrometers.
  • Repair or replace defective parts such as magnetos, water pumps, gears, pistons, and carburetors, using hand tools.
  • Remove engines from equipment, and position and bolt engines to repair stands.
  • Repair and maintain gasoline engines used to power equipment such as portable saws, lawn mowers, generators, and compressors.
  • Show customers how to maintain equipment.
  • Replace motors.

Job outlook

United States
2% more jobs by 2035, slower than average · about 3,800 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

  • Lawn and garden equipment and supplies retailers18.1%
  • Landscaping services17.1%
  • Building material and supplies dealers11.7%
  • Self-employed (their own business)7.2%
  • Other motor vehicle dealers5.0%

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

Experience before this job: 1 to 2 years

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: 1 to 2 years

This is an entry-level job. Most people finish high school and then spend about 1 to 2 years learning on the job as a helper or technician before working as a mechanic on their own.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Finish high school, focusing on shop, mechanical, or technical classes where you can learn how tools and engines work.

  2. Small Engine Repair Helper

    1-2 years

    Start at a repair shop, hardware store service counter, or equipment dealer, helping mechanics with cleanup, parts, and simple tune-ups while you learn diagnosis and repair.

  3. Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanic

    Career

    Diagnose, adjust, repair, and overhaul engines on lawn mowers, chain saws, and recreational equipment, working directly with customers.

Where it can lead

  1. Lead Small Engine Mechanic

    3-5 years of experience first

    You take on harder repairs, train newer technicians, and check the work of others, which requires strong diagnostic skills and reliability.

  2. Service Manager

    5+ years of experience first

    You run the service department, handle scheduling, parts ordering, and customer concerns, and oversee the mechanics, which requires good people and business skills alongside repair knowledge.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take shop, auto, or mechanical drawing classesThese classes teach you how machines work and how to use hand and power tools safely.
  • Work on small engines at homeTuning up a lawn mower or a leaf blower with a family member builds real hands-on experience.
  • Get a summer or part-time job at a hardware store, farm supply, or equipment shopYou will learn about the equipment, parts, and customers, and it shows employers you can work responsibly.
  • Join a robotics, engineering, or career technical clubTeamwork and building projects help you practice problem-solving the way mechanics do.
  • Practice reading technical instructionsRepair manuals and parts diagrams are a big part of the job, so getting used to them now helps.

In college

  • Take small engine or mechanical technology coursesCommunity colleges and technical schools often offer courses in engine repair that build the skills employers look for.
  • Work a job that involves equipment or maintenanceCampus grounds crews, facilities maintenance, or equipment rental jobs give you practical experience with real machines.
  • Ask about dealer or manufacturer trainingSome equipment dealers offer on-the-job training to new hires, and you can ask about openings near you.
  • Join a student engineering or maker groupWorking on projects with others strengthens your troubleshooting and teamwork.
  • Look for a part-time helper job at a repair shopWorking alongside experienced mechanics is one of the fastest ways to learn the trade.

Tips for getting started

  • Keep a simple log of the engines you work on and the problems you solve. A clear record of your experience helps when you apply for jobs.
  • Ask local dealers or repair shops whether they hire helpers or part-time workers. Showing up in person often leads to the first job.
  • Get comfortable reading manuals and using basic tools, multimeters, and diagnostic steps, since these skills carry over to every repair job.

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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