Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics Career, Salary and Skills
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $47,880 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 36,060. Wage data is published for 237 locations.
Occupation description
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul small engines used to power lawn mowers, chain saws, recreational sporting equipment, and related equipment.
O*NET code
49-3053.00
Job zone
2
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$47,880
Hourly median
$23.02
Employment
36,060
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.88 | 3.62 |
| Repairing | 3.88 | 3.62 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.75 | 3.62 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.38 | 3.00 |
| Operation and Control | 3.25 | 3.00 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.25 | 3.00 |
| Equipment Selection | 3.25 | 2.75 |
| Active Listening | 3.12 | 2.75 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.00 | 2.75 |
Typical 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.
Technology
- Ideal Computer Systems Ideal OPE
- Land & Sea DYNO-MAX
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- RepairTRAX
- Sale processing software
- Smart Equipment Repair
- VersaDyne small engine test system
- Web browser software
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics Salary in FLMedian $47,840 · Employment 3,450
- Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics Salary in CAMedian $50,790 · Employment 2,470
- Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics Salary in TXMedian $45,720 · Employment 2,270
- Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics Salary in NCMedian $47,370 · Employment 1,950
- Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics Salary in MIMedian $46,730 · Employment 1,860
- Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics Salary in GAMedian $47,360 · Employment 1,620
- Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics Salary in PAMedian $46,270 · Employment 1,590
- Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics Salary in NYMedian $50,640 · Employment 1,480
- Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics Salary in OHMedian $46,110 · Employment 1,480
- Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics Salary in VAMedian $47,480 · Employment 1,240
- Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics Salary in TNMedian $46,060 · Employment 1,200
- Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics Salary in INMedian $47,260 · Employment 1,150
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Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.