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Skilled Trades

Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians

Repair and adjust electrical and mechanical equipment of inboard or inboard-outboard boat engines.

Median salary (BLS)

$57,550

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$37k – $79k

Job outlook

+6% (faster than average)

AI exposure

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $70,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: No degree (trade/license)

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

  1. 1

    Registered apprenticeship (paid)

    Experience

    Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.

    $0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    Journeyman exam & state/local license

    License

    Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.

    $100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians

    Entry / Junior

    $36,950

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians

    Established

    $57,550

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians

    Senior

    $68,440

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Start motors and monitor performance for signs of malfunctioning, such as smoke, excessive vibration, or misfiring.
  • •Document inspection and test results and work performed or to be performed.
  • •Mount motors to boats, and operate boats at various speeds on waterways to conduct operational tests.
  • •Repair engine mechanical equipment, such as power tilts, bilge pumps, or power take-offs.
  • •Perform routine engine maintenance on motorboats, such as changing oil and filters.

Fields of study

Any field

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.