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Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics Salary in Des Moines, IA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics in Des Moines, IA have a median annual salary of $47,270, with 100 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $32,930 at the 10th percentile to $75,450 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$47,270

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$22.73

Employment

100

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$32,930
10th
$37,680
25th
$47,270
Median
$54,790
75th
$75,450
90th

Local compared with national

Des Moines, IA

$47,270

Median annual · 2025

United States

$47,880

Median annual · 2025

The Des Moines, IA median is 1.3% below the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $610).

Top skills

  1. 1.Equipment MaintenanceImportance 3.9
  2. 2.RepairingImportance 3.9
  3. 3.TroubleshootingImportance 3.8
  4. 4.Operations MonitoringImportance 3.4
  5. 5.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.3
  6. 6.Equipment SelectionImportance 3.3
  7. 7.Operation and ControlImportance 3.3
  8. 8.Active ListeningImportance 3.1
  9. 9.Quality Control AnalysisImportance 3.1
  10. 10.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.0
  11. 11.Reading ComprehensionImportance 2.9
  12. 12.SpeakingImportance 2.9

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • 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

Common 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.
  • Replace motors.
  • Obtain problem descriptions from customers, and prepare cost estimates for repairs.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics salary in other locations

Other occupations in Des Moines, IA