# 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/outdoor-power-equipment-and-other-small-engine-mechanics
- SOC code: 49-3053.00
- Career family: Installation and repair
- Median annual pay: $47,880 (10th percentile $34,670, 90th percentile $67,260)
- Projected growth: As fast as average, +2.3%
- Openings a year: 3,800
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 100 |
| Investigative (I) | 25 |
| Artistic (A) | 0 |
| Social (S) | 3 |
| Enterprising (E) | 4 |
| Conventional (C) | 50 |

## What you'd do

- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment (importance 91/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 85/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 77/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 75/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 75/100)
- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 73/100)
- Getting Information (importance 72/100)
- Performing General Physical Activities (importance 69/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 68/100)
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People (importance 67/100)

## Skills

Equipment Maintenance, Repairing, Troubleshooting, Operations Monitoring, Critical Thinking, Equipment Selection, Operation and Control, Active Listening, Quality Control Analysis, Complex Problem Solving

## Knowledge

Mechanical, Customer and Personal Service, English Language, Engineering and Technology, Education and Training, Transportation, Sales and Marketing, Computers and Electronics, Administration and Management, Physics

## Also called

Chain Saw Mechanic, Chainsaw Technician, Edge Trimmer Mechanic, Electric Golf Cart Repairer, Electric Wheelchair Repairer, Engine Mechanic, Engine Service Repairer, Engine Specialist, Garden Equipment Mechanic, Garden Implement Mechanic

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4706) (CIP 4706, 713 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide](https://www.collegesref.com/college/embry-riddle-aeronautical-university-worldwide-910) | Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | $77,491 | $87,797 | $21,986 |
| [SUNY Morrisville](https://www.collegesref.com/college/suny-morrisville-2657) | Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | $51,819 | $61,351 | not reported |

## Related careers

- [Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electric-motor-power-tool-and-related-repairers): $56,210 median pay
- [Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/bus-and-truck-mechanics-and-diesel-engine-specialists): $61,770 median pay
- [Motorcycle Mechanics](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/motorcycle-mechanics): $48,580 median pay
- [Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/mobile-heavy-equipment-mechanics-except-engines): $65,510 median pay
- [Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/motorboat-mechanics-and-service-technicians): $57,550 median pay
- [Engine and Other Machine Assemblers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/engine-and-other-machine-assemblers): $53,710 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

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. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.