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Small engine mechanic: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 29, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$47,880median pay per year, or $23.02 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $34,670lowest 10% earn less
  2. $40,67025th percentile
  3. $47,880median
  4. $58,56075th percentile
  5. $67,260top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

A small engine mechanic earned a median of $47,880 a year in May 2025[1], a little below the $50,980 median for all occupations[2]. The job typically asks for a high school diploma and training on the job[3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+2.3%[5]
Openings per year
3,800[6]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[3]

How much do small engine mechanics make?

The official BLS category is Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics. In May 2025, the median pay was $47,880 a year, or $23.02 an hour[1]. Half of the workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $49,990 a year, or $24.04 an hour[7].

The median for all occupations was $50,980[2], so this job sits a little below the middle of the whole job market.

Here is how pay spread out across the job:

Percentile Per year Per hour
10th[4][8] $34,670 $16.67
25th[4][8] $40,670 $19.56
Median[1] $47,880 $23.02
75th[4][8] $58,560 $28.15
90th[4][8] $67,260 $32.34

A percentile wage is a boundary line[9]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $34,670 a year[4]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].

These figures cover workers paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed and do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance[10]. In 2025, 7.2% of small engine mechanics were self-employed[11].

Pay by state and city

Alaska had the highest state median at $60,190, but it counted only 50 jobs[12]. Hawaii ($58,110) and Massachusetts ($57,830) came next[12]. Arkansas had the lowest median among the 49 states with published data, at $37,610[12].

Florida had the most jobs at 3,450, followed by California at 2,470 and Texas at 2,270[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT had the highest median at $60,010[14]. Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO ($59,950) and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH ($59,880) followed[14]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ area had the most jobs at 870, with a median of $57,110[15].

Show median pay in 49 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Alaska[12]$60,19050
Hawaii$58,110210
Massachusetts$57,830800
New Hampshire$57,610210
Nevada$56,750170
Connecticut$56,680560
Minnesota$55,990630
Idaho$55,320190
Missouri$55,120690
Delaware$54,23080
Washington$53,990590
Colorado$52,620690
Rhode Island$52,160100
New Jersey$52,000660
Vermont$51,250110
Utah$50,840250
California$50,7902,470
New York$50,6401,480
North Dakota$50,540190
Oregon$50,020280
Nebraska$49,710300
Wisconsin$48,1401,020
Maine$47,960300
Montana$47,880190
Florida$47,8403,450
South Carolina$47,510660
Virginia$47,4801,240
North Carolina$47,3701,950
Georgia$47,3601,620
Indiana$47,2601,150
Michigan$46,7301,860
Arizona$46,5801,050
Kansas$46,540170
Pennsylvania$46,2701,590
Illinois$46,190780
Ohio$46,1101,480
Tennessee$46,0601,200
Iowa$45,830430
Texas$45,7202,270
Maryland$45,630440
Louisiana$43,200260
Alabama$43,110400
Kentucky$43,110500
Oklahoma$42,630380
New Mexico$42,520110
South Dakota$41,580160
West Virginia$39,210130
Mississippi$37,900150
Arkansas$37,610390

How to become a small engine mechanic

Some of the training details below come from a Handbook profile that covers a wider group of small engine jobs, including motorboat and motorcycle work[16].

A few extras can help. Courses in small engine repair and auto mechanics, taken in high school or vocational school, are often useful[18]. Some people also seek postsecondary education[18]. Employers often send mechanics to courses run by manufacturers and dealers, and these are often needed before doing warranty work[19].

Certification is not required. BLS calls it the industry's recognized credential for outdoor power equipment mechanics and says it usually brings higher pay[20].

In an O*NET survey of 20 workers, 48% said a high school diploma or equivalent is required and 27% said some college courses[21]. This is a small survey, so treat it as a rough picture.

What small engine mechanics do

These mechanics diagnose, adjust, repair or overhaul small engines in equipment such as lawn mowers and chain saws[22]. Typical tasks include:

Where they work

Small engine mechanics generally work in repair shops that are well ventilated but noisy. Some make onsite repair calls, which can mean working in bad weather[24]. The Handbook lists other motor vehicle dealers as the largest employer group, at 27%[25].

Most work full time, though seasonal workers can see their hours change[26]. Work is busiest in spring and summer, and some mechanics put in a lot of overtime then. In winter, some work only part time[27]. Many employers try to even out the year by scheduling big repairs, such as engine rebuilds, for the off-season[28].

Job outlook

BLS projects that employment will grow 2.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 38,300 to 39,200 jobs[5]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[29]. So this job is expected to grow more slowly than the average. These projection counts include self-employed workers[5].

BLS expects about 3,800 openings a year on average[6]. Openings include jobs that come up when people retire or change occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 5% of workers leave the labor force and 4.6% move to a different occupation[30].

Is it a good fit?

The job has a low barrier to entry. It typically needs a high school diploma and no prior experience, with training done on the job[3]. Pay is a little under the all-occupations median[1][2], but the spread is wide, from $34,670 at the 10th percentile to $67,260 at the 90th[4]. Growth is slower than average, yet openings still come up each year[5][29][6]. The work follows the seasons, so busy summers and slower winters are part of the picture[27]. It may suit people who like hands-on repair and working with customers[23][31].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[32].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a small engine mechanic make an hour?
The median was $23.02 an hour in May 2025[1]. The 10th percentile was $16.67 and the 90th percentile was $32.34[8].
What education do you need to be a small engine mechanic?
The typical entry education is a high school diploma or equivalent, with moderate-term on-the-job training[3].
How long does it take to become a small engine mechanic?
BLS says reaching competency can take from several months to 3 years, depending on specialty and ability[17]. That text covers a wider group of small engine jobs[16].
Is small engine mechanic a growing job?
Employment is projected to grow 2.3% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[5][29]. About 3,800 openings a year are expected[6].
What is the highest paying state for small engine mechanics?
Alaska had the highest median at $60,190, with 50 jobs[12]. Hawaii and Massachusetts followed[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics in the US was $47,880 per year and $23.02 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics: 10th percentile $34,670, 25th percentile $40,670, 75th percentile $58,560, 90th percentile $67,260. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics is projected to grow 2.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 38,300 to 39,200 jobs (a change of +900). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 3,800 openings for Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics was $49,990 per year and $24.04 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics: 10th percentile $16.67, 25th percentile $19.56, 75th percentile $28.15, 90th percentile $32.34. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS Employment Projections: 7.2% of Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  12. Median annual wage for Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics jobs: Florida 3,450; California 2,470; Texas 2,270; North Carolina 1,950; Michigan 1,860. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics (areas with at least 100 jobs): Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $60,010; Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $59,950; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $59,880; St. Louis, MO-IL $58,790; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $58,520; Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $57,460; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $57,110; Omaha, NE-IA $57,030. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 870 (median $57,110); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 820 (median $47,780); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 810 (median $48,060); Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ 810 (median $47,880); Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI 670 (median $48,500); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 660 (median $51,680). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Small Engine Mechanics" covers Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. O*NET 49-3053.00 survey of workers (20 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 48%, Some College Courses 27%, Post-Secondary Certificate 12%, Less than a High School Diploma 12% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  22. O*NET description of Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics. O*NET OnLine
  23. O*NET task list for Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics. O*NET OnLine
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of small engine mechanics in 2025: Other motor vehicle dealers 27%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  30. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics: 5% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.6% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.