Careers / Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics — Career Decision Dashboard
United States
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Report generated from official BLS OEWS and O*NET data — United States.
Median annual wage
$47,880
United States, 2025
Employment
36,060
United States, 2025
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Job Zone 2
Skills identified
35
10 related careers
Career overview
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
- Experience required
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
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.
Choose a location
Salary analysis — United States
10th percentile
$34,670
25th percentile
$40,670
75th percentile
$58,560
90th percentile
$67,260
Most important skills
- Repairing3.9
- Equipment Maintenance3.9
- Troubleshooting3.8
- Operations Monitoring3.4
- Operation and Control3.3
- Equipment Selection3.3
- Critical Thinking3.3
- Active Listening3.1
- Quality Control Analysis3.1
- Complex Problem Solving3.0
- Judgment and Decision Making2.9
- Speaking2.9
What skills do you need?
Select the skills you already have
Skills listed are those O*NET rates at importance 3.0 or above for this occupation. Set your own level on the same 0–7 O*NET scale.
Skill coverage
0%
0 of 10 identified skills
Matched
0
Missing
10
Your selected skills cover approximately 0% of the skills identified for this occupation in O*NET. This is a coverage measure of listed skills only — it is not a qualification, hiring or interview outcome.
Skills to develop
| Skill | Importance | Required level | Your level | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Repairing | 3.9 | 3.6 | Not selected | 3.6 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.9 | 3.6 | Not selected | 3.6 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.8 | 3.6 | Not selected | 3.6 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.4 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Operation and Control | 3.3 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.3 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.1 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Equipment Selection | 3.3 | 2.8 | Not selected | 2.8 |
| Active Listening | 3.1 | 2.8 | Not selected | 2.8 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 | 2.8 | Not selected | 2.8 |
Ordered by required level gap multiplied by O*NET importance. No prediction or recommendation is implied.
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Compare with Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine MechanicsHow salary varies by location
| Location | Median | Employment | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Haven, CT | $72,260 | 70 | 2025 |
| Rochester, MN | $61,920 | 50 | 2025 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $61,360 | 30 | 2025 |
| Kahului, HI | $61,070 | 40 | 2025 |
| AK | $60,190 | 50 | 2025 |
| Anchorage, AK | $60,190 | 30 | 2025 |
| Bridgeport, CT | $60,010 | 160 | 2025 |
| Worcester, MA | $59,960 | 80 | 2025 |
| Denver, CO | $59,950 | 290 | 2025 |
| Boston, MA | $59,880 | 590 | 2025 |
| St. Louis, MO | $58,790 | 240 | 2025 |
| Seattle, WA | $58,520 | 270 | 2025 |
| Salinas, CA | $58,310 | 50 | 2025 |
| Reno, NV | $58,280 | 50 | 2025 |
| HI | $58,110 | 210 | 2025 |
| Boise City, ID | $58,060 | 50 | 2025 |
| Boulder, CO | $57,870 | 30 | 2025 |
| Burlington, VT | $57,860 | 30 | 2025 |
| MA | $57,830 | 800 | 2025 |
| NH | $57,610 | 210 | 2025 |
Career transition paths
Compare the skills of a career you hold today with Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics to see shared skills, target-only skills and skill overlap.
Build a transition comparisonCareer and skills data: O*NET 31.0.
Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, 2025 (May 2025 release).
Figures are periodic published survey snapshots, not real-time market rates.