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Skilled Trades

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.

Median salary (BLS)

$47,880

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$35k – $67k

Job outlook

+3% (about average)

AI exposure

Plan a path to Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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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 "Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics" — 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 Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics

    Entry / Junior

    $34,670

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics

    Established

    $47,880

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics

    Senior

    $57,570

Key skills

A typical day

  • •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.

Fields of study

Any field

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