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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.
Other titles employers use
Chainsaw Technician · Golf Cart Mechanic · Lawnmower Repair Mechanic · Mechanic · Outdoor Power Equipment Service Technician · Service Technician (Service Tech) · Shop Mechanic · Small Engine Mechanic
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical and organizing work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Equipment Maintenance
- Repairing
- Troubleshooting
- Operations Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Equipment Selection
Subjects to know
- Mechanical
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Engineering and Technology
- Education and Training
Useful strengths
- Finger Dexterity
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
- Near Vision
- Control Precision
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.1 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 4.5 | Standing or moving for most of it |
| Talking face to face | 3.7 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 4.7 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 60%
- A certificate or some college 40%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Point of sale POS software
- Internet browser software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 3,900
- Job openings each year
- 400
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 8.3%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 3,900 | 400 | 8.3% |
| Florida | 3,580 | 370 | 14.0% |
| Texas | 2,610 | 270 | 12.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 2,370 | 240 | 1.7% |
| North Carolina | 2,230 | 230 | 11.5% |
| New York | 2,140 | 0 | 1.9% |
| Michigan | 2,010 | 200 | −1.5% |
| Ohio | 1,800 | 180 | 1.7% |
| Missouri | 1,290 | 130 | — |
| Virginia | 1,270 | 130 | 1.6% |
| Georgia | 1,160 | 120 | 14.9% |
| Tennessee | 1,150 | 120 | 16.2% |
| Utah | 1,110 | 120 | 19.4% |
| Indiana | 1,070 | 110 | — |
| Minnesota | 930 | 90 | 4.5% |
| Wisconsin | 910 | 90 | 4.6% |
| Washington | 870 | 90 | 4.8% |
| New Jersey | 830 | 80 | 6.4% |
| Arizona | 820 | 90 | 13.9% |
| Connecticut | 690 | 70 | 9.5% |
| Kentucky | 690 | 70 | 3.0% |
| South Carolina | 670 | 70 | 8.1% |
| Colorado | 640 | 70 | 12.3% |
| Idaho | 630 | 70 | 12.5% |
| Oregon | 620 | 60 | 8.8% |
| Illinois | 580 | 60 | 3.6% |
| Iowa | 570 | 60 | 5.6% |
| Alabama | 550 | 60 | 3.8% |
| Oklahoma | 500 | 50 | 6.4% |
| Nebraska | 470 | 50 | 4.4% |
| Arkansas | 460 | 50 | 7.0% |
| Maryland | 390 | 40 | 5.4% |
| Kansas | 360 | 40 | — |
| Maine | 340 | 30 | −5.6% |
| Louisiana | 330 | 30 | 3.1% |
| Montana | 330 | 30 | 10.0% |
| Nevada | 320 | 30 | 10.3% |
| Mississippi | 290 | 30 | 3.6% |
| New Hampshire | 250 | 30 | 4.2% |
| South Dakota | 250 | 30 | 8.7% |
| New Mexico | 180 | 20 | 28.6% |
| Puerto Rico | 180 | 20 | 12.5% |
| Vermont | 180 | 20 | 5.9% |
| Delaware | 170 | 20 | — |
| West Virginia | 170 | 20 | 6.3% |
| Massachusetts | 160 | 20 | — |
| Rhode Island | 140 | 10 | 7.7% |
| Wyoming | 130 | 10 | 8.3% |
| North Dakota | 110 | 10 | — |
| Alaska | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Compare every college offering vehicle maintenance and repair technologies/technicians